Which Press To Buy?

[RoosterShooter]

Right now I'm looking into a shop press for molding holsters. Later on down the line I may want to double it for use as a clicker.

Any suggestions on where to start? I already have my rubber, but nothing else!

Thanks for the help, in advance.

Edited November 5, 2012 by RoosterShooter

[Art]

Texas Custom Dies, talk to Heather, makes a clicker press that can also be used as a shop press.

Art

[RoosterShooter]

That's a nice press, but I don't see paying $450 + shipping.

I have a vocational background in welding, metal fabrication, and machine work, and have a welder and tools required to convert a press. However, I've seen where people have used standard Harbor Freight presses to do what needs to be done.

In other words ... I'd like a supplies list, and I can do all of the legwork, metal fab, and welding myself.

Basically, I just want to buy a press and turn it into a press / clicker.

Thanks.

Edited November 5, 2012 by RoosterShooter

[Art]

Go to a Harbor Freight store and measure one up. But if you wait till the sale comes around again, there may be 20% off.

Art

[King's X]

Check out my blog. I posted pictures of the one that I built for my use. A converted Harbor Freight model.

[RoosterShooter]

I just checked and the Harbor Freight press is on Backorder until the middle of December!

Anywhere else I might find one?

[mikesmith648]

I should have kept mine and then I would have one............Have you tried Northern Tool?

[RoosterShooter]

Northern Tool is on backorder as well.

[Art]

Call your nearest store, they may have a floor model. Also wait for Black Friday, they always have great sales.

Art

[RoosterShooter]

I may just wait. My nearest store is 1 hour and 15 minutes away, and it's right in the middle of a major metro area. I can't justify $30 in gas when they offer $6.99 shipping. I'll just wait and see when they come back in stock.

[silverwingit]

Rooster, I picked up a very nice 1/2 ton arbor press by Palmgren from Amazon for ~$60, with free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Palmgren-61051-2-Ton-Manual-Arbor/dp/B00068U7QS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1352829398&sr=8-2&keywords=palmgren+arbor+press

It's a nice press that already has a 3/8" hole drilled in one end of its ram. It comes with several mandrels that fit into that hole, and it has a magnet inside to hold them in. This means that you won't have to modify the press unless you see fit. I had my machinist turn down the tools I have that are larger in diameter than 3/8" and had him make a shim to accommodate smaller ones. Many rivet setters, etc. come in 3/8" diameter, so you don't need to modify them at all. Works for me and you won't have to wait for Santa!

Michelle

[mmirob]

Keep your eye out on the machines for sale forum right here. They do pop up. They are indeed heavy. I found one not too long ago here and seller did a great job in shipping to TN from CA. It was only around $200 and I had to pick up at local trucking depot where they helped me load it. I am still not sure of the brand that I have as it is not marked anywhere. BTW, the lucris bench clicker/press are still manufactured today. http://www.lucris.com/ They are a bit pricey $1K plus.

Here is a pic of the one I found. If you know the brand let me know! )

BTW it is not a converted arbor press.

[mojoewrkn]

Check out my blog. I posted pictures of the one that I built for my use. A converted Harbor Freight model.

Wow, thank you for the info on how to build the press. I have been planning on doing this myself and your blog will be really useful. Thanks!

[RoosterShooter]

Sorry guys, but I'm wanting something quite a bit larger than an arbor press. I have one of those types for pressing on buttons and rivets.

What I want is something similar to this for clicking out patterns and wet molding holsters!