Bench Press From Scrap......

[yorkiepap]

Hey guys,
This is a project to pass those winter "nothing to do" doldrums and to give the "newbies" some practice with layout, fabrication & welding to enhance their experiences. I needed a small press for my shop use for several jobs to do some straightening and have the ability to press(bearings/pins) on occasion. I generally take larger items to work as I have a 20T press there. All the material was scrap from work the boss told me to get rid of....and I did as he requested. The frame is 2 1/2" sq. X 1/4" wall & "C" channel is 3" X 1/4"T. I set it up for an 8ton hyd. jack & configured space to be able to use a 10T if needed. I will list the descriptions for each photo number and there will be 14 photos. This will be 3 posts, so please allow me to post all 3 groups before responding.... Thanks....Denny

Photo 1): Scrap material laid out to determine configuration.
2): Top widened, pieces cut for fit(12 degree angle), joints beveled, bottom "C" channel located & marked for 2 heights, & rod guide cut & positioned.
3): Bottle jack mount fabbed & welded, spring hangers welded in place, holes drilled for "C" channel positions.
4): Jack baseplate cut & positioned.
5): Adjustment rods fabricated & positioned.

OK....Going to next post for 2nd series....please wait.....

[yorkiepap]

2nd Group....

Photo 6): Pieces set up on weld table to be tacked for proper location & alignment.
7): All joints welded with root & cover passes.
8): Joint weld.
9): Jack base guides welded, bolt holes drilled.
10): 12" grade 10, 3/4" X 10tpi bolt w/nut located for welding to jack baseplate.

Goint to 3rd series....Please wait...

[yorkiepap]

3rd Group:

Photo 11): Base angles welded & pump handle storage tube welded.
12): 12" bolt head turned in lathe, (2) press plates assembled & welded.
13): Finished assembly w/return springs adjusted for jack return.
14): Large & small press plates & 1/2" baseplate. Baseplate will be drilled & milled with holes & slots in various configurations for pressing pins, etc.. Other accessories will include a set of multiple diameter press pins. Gonna paint it when it warms up a bit.

Anyway, I hope this may give you some ideas to construct your own press. If you have any questions, please ask.... Thanks... Denny

[Tom37]

Very nice Yorkiepap.
Much nicer then mine, I wish I would have had more time. I can see now that I will have to futher alter and modify mine. About how much does it weigh? If you stated then I missed it but what did ya weld it with?
Thanks Tom

[whateg0]

How strange is that? Two new hyd presses on the same day...

Nice job. I was worried at first about the possibility of the ram being loaded to one side and the jack and ram becoming projectiles, but I see in the later pics that you have a guide for it. On my press, I actually used a piece of tubing to keep the guide vertical, so it cannot possibly become coc-ked to one side. I guess I need a job where I am told to 'get rid of' that kind of scrap! You could weld a couple of pieces to the channel to tie them together, or even bolt them, so that you don't have to move them individually. Then you'd just pull the pin from one end, raise it, and repeat with the other. Not a lot less work, but a little.

Dave

[professur]

Show of hands. How many people read this title and thought exercise equipment instead of tools? My first thought was tools, then I kicked myself and changed to exercise .... then clicked and read that I was right the first time.