Press Ram Extension

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

That worked really nice I think. Anything that keeps you from having to make height adjustments is helpful.

[@ChrisB257]

Hi Harold - thanks for dropping in. Now to make a shorter piece sometime to give more choice.

[@EverettsWorkshop]

That's a nice addition to the ram for sure - at work I had to use various hunks of scrap bar to do the same thing and it was always sketchy. Yours would be assured to be square to the job. Cool idea.

[@ChrisB257]

Hi Everett - thx. I have often used scrap chunks to 'fill the gap'' but like having something that remains in the exact axis of the ram seems better. Just another of those small projects of which there are many :)

[@pierresgarage2687]

Another project on the "To-Do" 10,356 pages long list, hope to outlive that list... lol It's almost impossible to get glossy finish on tiny cuts and low speed, you need to hog and bite hard. BTW, how many horses or fractions of it on your lathe...?

[@ChrisB257]

Hey Pierre, I did try some hefty hogging on that 10-45 but somehow just wasn't getting what I wanted. The final light cut though at higher speed and gentler feed was actually not too bad. My lathe motor is 1HP but with age of machine generally tend not to push it to extremes. I have managed a .250 cut on 12L-14 OK.

[@terrylarotonda784]

Here I thought I was done with the mods on my press. I was wrong, now I’ll have to make extensions. Good job Chris. Talk with you soon

[@ChrisB257]

Hey Terry, Mods never really get finished - always something else that can be done, though your press mods are great. ATB. :)

[@userwl2850]

I always enjoy your work Chris. Always a good job. 👏👍

[@ChrisB257]

Thank you Dave - small potatoes compared to your monster work! :)

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Nice job on the extensions. I have a set from Lee. They work great.

[@ChrisB257]

Hey Randy - well Lee's units are really great but hopefully my effort will do the job when needed - plus make another shorter section as well sometime. Hope the smoke is clearing! ATB :)

[@PorkBarrel.]

Hi Chris. Noticed your tool holder at 4:45. I haven't been able to find one that is 3/4" shank, only 1" shank. Can you see any numbers on that holder? Thanks

[@michaelhale4041]

John bang good is a good place to look. If you don't mind dealing with them. I got a 12mm set of 7 tools and love how they cut. Hope you didn't mind me chiming in.

[@ChrisB257]

Hi John - well, that tool holder was given to me and to be able to use it, did a very long grinding job to get it down to 3/4. Did that in stages but got there in the end! :)

[@PorkBarrel.]

I was afraid of that. Thanks Chris!

[@MrPragmaticLee]

You will find this most useful. I use mine every time I have press work to do. Thanks for the shoutout.

[@ChrisB257]

Hello Lee - still love your creations but this will do the job for me and once I make an other, smaller one, I think it'll cover most needs.

[@Steviegtr52]

An old video , but just seen it Chris. Great job. I did a bit of mod work on my 12ton press. I will have to do a little video soon. The Tig welder is next. Regards. Steve. . P.S. Do you have any stickers for my board.

[@ChrisB257]

Hi Steve - no stickers left I'm afraid - it was a long time ago now that I gave away my last ones. Unfortunately not managing any videos these days. Best, Chris

[@Steviegtr52]

@@ChrisB257 No problem Chris. You look after yourself. You have done some great video's of which i watch plenty. Regards. Steve.

[@JamesDedmon]

Thank goodness for my AC. How long is the original shaft in the press? I’m working on my press I purchased at an auction locally, It was made by late owner, but it doesn’t have much of a shaft, on top of that it is 2 pieces with a set screw to hold it in. I’m starting on a ram extension buy need to figure out how long to make it

[@ChrisB257]

Hi James - the original ram shaft on mine is 3.5" with OD 1.5". That's adequate a lot of the time but particularly if broaching, an addition helps avoid platform repositioning. Also it can save unnecessary operation of the hydraulic unit for some jobs. I still intend to make an extra extension but a shorter one to give more choice.

[@JamesDedmon]

Thanks Chris I appreciate it. I posted a link of the press I picked up so you can see what I’m working with. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZW0aapno7RmirM

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

It's good to see you in the shop again, Chris. Have you considered springing for an A/C unit or at least a good fan? I bought a huge one from TSC a few years back. It blows a lot of air at me.

[@ChrisB257]

Thanks Jeffry - been short on shop time one way and another. I did get a moveable A/C unit and have a small fan but - the A/C 'drinks' electric and has to deal with quite a large air volume. It takes up space, needs a duct to outside and, basically just costs too much. Fan helps but beyond a certain point it just gets untenable.

[@pgs8597]

G’day Chris, nice work. Are your intentions to leave it fitted to the press most of the time, I ask as those magnets are going to attract steel chips into the bore. Cheers Peter

[@ChrisB257]

Hi Peter, Thanks - have since made a shorter piece as well. The extension will only be fitted as and when needed and when not in use I'll keep it away from where chips are around... in fact probably keep a piece of rag stuffed inside.

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

Great build Chris . That should work great ! ENJOYED ..

[@ChrisB257]

Thank you Shaun, :)

[@gh778jk]

My missus has seen some of your videos.... I started this one, and she had something to do in the kitchen,so she left the room. I subsequently shouted to her :" His half-nuts are worn!!!" Her reply : "that's terrible news!!" Hugs Paddy

[@ChrisB257]

Hi Paddy, Haha - at my age you can tell her, I'm lucky to just have half nuts at all! :-)

[@brandontscheschlog]

Awesome mod Chris!

[@ChrisB257]

Thank you Brandon. :)

[@chieft3357]

Hey Chris, 1045 steel rod at best is only kinda good at machining. Not the best for finish, it has to be polished. It is in the 60 % machine ability rate, so the finish you have is as good as it gets. Functionality, functionality, yours and my word of choice. Jim

[@ChrisB257]

Hey Jim - I had to use that material as it was all I could get from my friend Dick Linn locally... 1-18 would have been fine! Yes, 'functional' :)

[@EddieTheGrouch]

Fine work all round. I say this, of course, since it's the route I went :P Now, I am not a safety Nazi by any means and I tend to push my press to it's limits so I am going to suggest you make another hub out of steel. Let's say you need a 1/2 inch press pin over a few inches long and you're fighting a difficult piece and it shifts. I can see enough twisty side load occurring at the hub to split or shatter the cup. If it's at eye level it could get ugly. We like you, Chris, and even though you've got the face and voice of a pirate, I'd hate to see any future videos involving an eye patch >:) Take care my friend.

[@ChrisB257]

Thanks Eddie - I take your point but reckon that with care to maintain good alignment the 1/4" walls and ID depth should survive and loading should be straight compression if managed with caution. If I do get some big enough dia suitable steel sometime, I may well make a new top cap. :)

[@JohnBare747]

Nice extension Chris. You need a Goldilocks Shop, not too hot, not too cold...

[@ChrisB257]

Hi John - thanks. Yes, my shop, and generally, would benefit from my ideal comfort level - which is 68 to 72 - that would be so nice :) Can but dream!

[@nevetslleksah]

Nice project. I don’t care for hot weather either. Perhaps you should get AC in the shop, I have it in my 2 car garage shop, two wall units. Nice but higher electric bills too.

[@ChrisB257]

Thanks Steven - A/C is certainly desirable but - although I have a mobile unit the cost to run is just crazy. My shop internal volume is quite large. Mainly I just have to go with the conditions unfortunately.

[@s.ff.2923]

Consider a Mini Split A/C unit Chris. Tons of videos on YoutTube. Cheers

[@ChrisB257]

Hi - well, I do have a portable unit but .... takes up too much space and - eats electric. Frustrating that whether we try to stay cool or stay warm - it costs!! I need a lottery win. :)

[@Daledavispratt]

Good looking work as usual, Chris! Supposed to be getting a break in the temps this weekend! :-)

[@ChrisB257]

Hi Dale and thanks. Hoping the break will not be too short - have a feeling we are not out of the woods quite yet! ATB. :)

[@nowayjerk8064]

good to see you

[@ChrisB257]

Thanks Monte - hoping for cooler temps so I can get back in the shop! :)

[@michaelmurray9154]

Possible solution to your climate control issue would be a mini-split. Heat and air in one unit. Works well for me. Nice job on the extent ion😁 Tc Mike

[@ChrisB257]

Hello Mike - Thanks That would be nice but .... I really have no available space to install such and, probably more important, cost. These days my income is super limited and have to be careful, even though sometimes i weaken and get another tool or two!

[@EddieTheGrouch]

Around April I bemoaned that we never seem to get snowy winters and hot summers, anymore. Sheesh, of all the times for the Gods to pay attention... they totally ignore my frequent griping about everything else like the lack of community, kids these days, and phat-assed wimmin in flip-flops with more tattoos than any 5 sailors. This year has been a real scorcher and I never fully appreciated the term "oppressive heat" until I got to be around your age (thanks for waiting for me BTW) and I am definitely being oppressed out of my shop - or anywhere else out of the house for that matter. I hope Trump or the ACLU are doing something about it. Now I'm DEpressed wondering if the Big Hair styles of the 80's I miss so much was responsible. All them cans of Aqua Net Extra Hold (red can) had to have had SOME effect on the ozone layer. What?!? Oh, the nurse is here with my medication. I gotta go now. She's gonna show me her tattoos.

[@ChrisB257]

Hey Eddie - your observations are spot on! I never coped well with humidity and high temps but these days it's just impossible. Sweat and bright metal don't mix either! Hope the nurse has some fine tattoos LOl :) ATB.

[@nevetslleksah]

Eddie the Grouch - global warming, I don’t think it is going to get any better, the polar ice caps are already melting.

[@tobyw9573]

Too hot? buy an air conditioner. Great way to guarantee an early fall ;)

[@ChrisB257]

Space and cost Toby - I have a mobile A/C but it's in the house anyways where it is needed more just now. I hope for a bit better time in the shop during fall times - then of course it'll go the other way!

[@tobyw9573]

1045: Crummy finish, but nearly impossible to break! Too shiny and you will have to pimp your press.

[@ChrisB257]

Hi Toby - you are right - but I do get a bit p'od when I get a finish less than expected. :-)