Northern Nj Machinist/machine Shop To Drill An Arbor Press Ram?

[Jimdad]

Title says it-- anyone know where I could get this done? The searching I've done has brought up mostly autoparts shops and places that only serve major industry. I'm looking for the usual-- vertical hole in the ram for tools, another tapped in from the side for tool retention.

[JLSleather]

If you have a drill press and a high speed twist drill (most of them are now days) you could do this yourself in less time than driving to the place Otherwise, ANY machine shop or even an auto repair shop should be able to do this easily.

[Tallbald]

Maybe the local vocational school machine shop would oblige you and do it. Don

[Colt W Knight]

If you have a drill press and a high speed twist drill (most of them are now days) you could do this yourself in less time than driving to the place Otherwise, ANY machine shop or even an auto repair shop should be able to do this easily.

another term or sign to look for is welding/fabrication shop. Like JLS stated, its a quick and easy job.

[Jimdad]

no drill press of my own, it's high on my purchase list but not high in immediate need. I considered using my hand drill, perhaps after a pilot hole with a dremel, but if I can get it done locally i'd rather not risk doing wrong with imperfect tools.

Thanks for suggestions on the types of places-- i'll look a bit more & see what I can find.

[Colt W Knight]

You would need more tools to make the appropriate jigs to do it with a hand drill, IMO.

[bushpilotmexico]

I agree with Colt trying to drill with a hand drill without a lot of set up plus some sort of jig wouldn't be practical.

I used my drill press to drill the ram. In one end I drilled a hole for the standard diameter stamp handles and in the other end a larger hole for the handle for the 3D and letter stamps.

When drilling the ram don't be in a hurry and start with a small pilot drill and then work up one size at a time until you get the final diameter, use cooling fluid and be sure the vise holding the ram is securely clamp to the work table of the drill press to avoid injuries.

The holes have to be true and straight.

[JLSleather]

I don't have it any more, but when I used one of those, ... just one hole in one end of the ram. deliberately made too big, to fit the largest tool shank... then the smaller ones were sleeved as needed with aluminum.... thus one hole fits all tools.

[bushpilotmexico]

I don't have it any more, but when I used one of those, ... just one hole in one end of the ram. deliberately made too big, to fit the largest tool shank... then the smaller ones were sleeved as needed with aluminum.... thus one hole fits all tools.

That will work as well but I drilled the larger hole first plus the threaded hole for the set screw. It was just much simpler to drill the smaller hole on the opposite end rather that having to use sleeves. It takes no more than 30 seconds to reverse the ram.

What ever works. My 74 year old hands were cramping up when I hand stamp. It's so much easier now using the arbor plus for me better control of the stamp and no double impressions.

[Tallbald]

I too had to switch to an arbor press I modified because of arthritic and injury. I made an adjustable fence for mine too that lets me concentrate on side to side spacing instead of having to dwell on other spacing directions. I drilled and tapped a screw hole 1/4-20 (in this photo the thumb screw is substituted for a bolt holding in the drill bracket for back when I could hand stitch) for a thumb screw retainer to secure the stamp. And made a spring/leather strap return mechanism to help raise the ram after each stroke. Don

Edited September 26, 2015 by Tallbald