Using a reloading press as an Arbor Press

[Gun Smith]

I have used reloading presses as an arbor press for many years. They work great for crimping stuff in parts, swaging, flattening parts, etc. At one time I had 6 different presses set up for separate ops. Now I have just 2, a Rockchucker, and a T7 Redding. I use them for various tools I manufacture. The T7 does great service for most items I do with a shorter ram I made; same for the Chucker. With a little imagination, you can do a lot more than just reload on these presses. Hope this lights a candle! Joe

 

[Kurz]

I've always had several arbor presses for use in the shop. Some small and convenient, other quite large but necessary for some processes.

Then one day I needed something special to use with some precision so I turned to my full size Bridgeport Mill. It took a little bit of creativity to master the solution but the end result was worth the effort. I also use my mill for neck turning when I'm using my extra special little CNC lathe for another project.

 

[jdh47]

Bridgeport mill’s rack and pinion aren’t robust enough for any heavy duty work. They take enough beating drilling with dull drill bits.

 

[Kurz]

Bridgeport mill’s rack and pinion aren’t robust enough for any heavy duty work. They take enough beating drilling with dull drill bits.

I didn't state that I used the rack and pinion, that was your assumption. The knee on the Bridgeport however is robust enough. Proof is in the pudding as they say.

 

[Gun Smith]

My 1950's Rockwell drill press was used occasionaly for compressing double barrel shotgun springs for
dis-assembly / re-assembly.
For heavier duty stuff, I have a 5 ton arbor, and a 10 ton hydraulic press. They come in handy too!