I was gifted a nice Famco #2 arbor press. The few times I've used it was problematic because the handle was never in the correct clock position to assert the most leverage on the task at hand. Further, there have been times that I could've used the ability to broach some keyways, but I went without because I knew this tool wasn't up to the task without some pharting around.
I've decided to modify the press to add the ability to afix a large ratchet wrench (3/4in drive) in a fashion that will require no mods to the arbor press. I prefer leaving tools in their "pristene" state, if possible, while making improvements, if for no other reason that if the mods don't turn out as expected, the mod can be removed with no "incriminating evidence".
While researching the task on-line I've seen many clever mods, that accomplish the task that I want to achieve, but many require mods to the arbor press, which I'm trying to avoid. I found a Youtube video from a guy in Canberra, Australia that made just the clever mod to his own arbor press I was hoping to find. Pics below.
He fabricated a "sleeve" that fits over the right end of the pinion shaft, with a shear bolt that makes use of the original handle hole. He also fitted a modified 3/4in drive socket in the far end of the sleeve apparently using Loctite to accommodate a ratchet wrench. I'm not too keen on the Loctite idea, but the whole shooting match slides off and the press goes back to stock standard.
I'm considering copying his approach but with the following changes:
1. Weld a shortened 3/4in drive socket into the end of the sleeve for direct connection to the ratchet. Don't have a welder so I will likley have to pay for the privilege.
2. Mill a square hole in the end of the solid end of the sleeve for direct connection to the ratchet. I have a milling machine and boring head.
3. Mill hex flats on the solid end of the sleeve to accommodate a standard wrench socket. I have a rotary table but am thinking this might be a good job for one of those Rose Index gadgets.
Which would you do?
I've decided to modify the press to add the ability to afix a large ratchet wrench (3/4in drive) in a fashion that will require no mods to the arbor press. I prefer leaving tools in their "pristene" state, if possible, while making improvements, if for no other reason that if the mods don't turn out as expected, the mod can be removed with no "incriminating evidence".
While researching the task on-line I've seen many clever mods, that accomplish the task that I want to achieve, but many require mods to the arbor press, which I'm trying to avoid. I found a Youtube video from a guy in Canberra, Australia that made just the clever mod to his own arbor press I was hoping to find. Pics below.
He fabricated a "sleeve" that fits over the right end of the pinion shaft, with a shear bolt that makes use of the original handle hole. He also fitted a modified 3/4in drive socket in the far end of the sleeve apparently using Loctite to accommodate a ratchet wrench. I'm not too keen on the Loctite idea, but the whole shooting match slides off and the press goes back to stock standard.
I'm considering copying his approach but with the following changes:
1. Weld a shortened 3/4in drive socket into the end of the sleeve for direct connection to the ratchet. Don't have a welder so I will likley have to pay for the privilege.
2. Mill a square hole in the end of the solid end of the sleeve for direct connection to the ratchet. I have a milling machine and boring head.
3. Mill hex flats on the solid end of the sleeve to accommodate a standard wrench socket. I have a rotary table but am thinking this might be a good job for one of those Rose Index gadgets.
Which would you do?
Attachments
Last edited:
![20220311_121250[1].jpg](https://www.hobby-machinist.com/data/attachments/357/357649-30c457031806fe71d9e7b74933009f39.jpg "20220311_121250[1].jpg")
![20220311_121230[1].jpg](https://www.hobby-machinist.com/data/attachments/357/357648-f205ef12b7e156f1957c073fee7177b4.jpg "20220311_121230[1].jpg")
