I bought an arbor press - at last.

[dikman]

I didn't want to drill out the ram to accept stamping tools, rivet setters etc, but drilling and tapping a smaller hole to fit attachments might work - if the ram will fit in my lathe to get a vertical hole.

I've found a large steel plate to use as a base, the idea of a fence is a good one. I've got a bit of pondering to do.

[Constabulary]

If you do not like the magnet solution and don´t want to drill the ram and you have welding options make a (few) squared "cup" you can fit on the ram and and that can accommodate certain tool. Thumb screws can hold the cups in place... Just an idea...

EDIT:

just noticed your own post - you already  figured it... 

I think 1 or 2 years ago I bought a pneumatic press on ebay for less than the price of a pack of sewing needles but shipping was 65€ so overall pretty much a steal. But I yet haven't set it up yet - maybe I should get it on this year. Not even sure if I really need it but I could not resist for that price. It even came with a spare piston.

Edited February 25, 2020 by Constabulary

[dikman]

Now that looks nice!! Any idea what sort of pressure it can exert? Might be a bit much for leatherwork.

The ram is too big to fit in my lathe or my drill press so I have no way of accurately drilling a hole in the bottom, although the idea might still work if I make a short extension piece (round, maybe), drill and tap it and then weld it to the bottom of the ram. I could attach fittings using the threaded end or make attachments to fit over the round extension, which would also allow rotary adjustment if needed. It has a long travel so I could sacrifice a couple of inches if necessary. If I make it round and match it the internal diameter of some metal pipe then I'll have a ready made source for making attachments.

[mikesc]

Does your drill press "head" not pivot out to one side to allow drilling of items that are too big ( tall ) to fit onto the "table" ?

Agreed..very nice looking press there Constabulary :)

Edited February 25, 2020 by mikesc

[dikman]

It does, mike, but I would have to fabricate a jig to hold it vertical and square - too much trouble. I'm going to explore the idea of a round piece welded to the end, it has possibilities.

[RockyAussie]

Hey @dikman if you can be patient enough for a few hours I will take some pictures of a set up I've done here. Basically it allows me to do a quick change over for whatever the thread type of the die required or even in some cases some with no thread at all.

[RockyAussie]

Here you go I think the pictures should cover it ...

After doing the first one on the top left and tapping the hole for the small threaded ones I got a bit smarter and did the 2nd one one the right so that it could receive the larger threaded one below it or the ones without thread as on the far right.

[Hardrada]

I've already had two, at least, magnets cracked to smithereens. Not impressed. Mine came with a hole already drilled and a screw fastener on the side of the ram but whenever I insert the snap setter it gets tilted at an angle once fastened in: this results in the leather being cut by the snap due to uneven pressure.

Edited February 25, 2020 by Hardrada

[mikesc]

That Brian is very very clever. :)

[RockyAussie]

5 hours ago, Hardrada said:

I've already had two, at least, magnets cracked to smithereens. Not impressed. Mine came with a hole already drilled and a screw fastener on the side of the ram but whenever I insert the snap setter it gets tilted at an angle once fastened in: this results in the leather being cut by the snap due to uneven pressure.

A picture would help but is there room for a spacer washer between the offending die and the ram? Does it happen with any dye's? Note that if you have a moveable base piece it can be centred where ever is needed as well.

 

5 hours ago, mikesc said:

That Brian is very very clever.

Thanks Mike but I would have been happier if I had thought of it maybe 10 or so years before I did, I would not then have a whole heap of little different presses for different dyes although they still come in handy sometimes. P.S. Been thinking some more about doing some of that tutorial stuff but I will save that for another post.