Couple notes here from a retired industrial maintenance tech. When drilling the handle, don't drill all the way through at first. The holes seldom line up. Drill through one side only, put it on then run the drill bit through the first hole and shaft and drill the rest of the way through. Now on bolting down the jack. It is not just to keep it from sliding around. Since the top of the jack is in a collar and can't move, as the bottom of the jack moves around it will tilt the press bar left and right or even front to back. So check this and clamp it before you drill. The support rods can be drilled and tapped on the end and a fender washer bolted on or use a hole saw and make two thicker washers. You can do this by hand with a drill and it will be close enough.
Love the collar idea. I will be stealing that! I've seen other folks thread the ends with a lathe, or drill for a pin, but the collars are simple and don't compromise a load bearing part. For anyone coming along afterwards: the pins (at least on the press I have HF Item # 32879) are 20mm or just a hair larger than 25/32". McMaster has metric collars too so you don't have to enlarge the bore.
I don't, but the link in the description will take you to the selection I chose from. I think I measured the shaft on the jack to know what size hole the knob needed to have
Couple notes here from a retired industrial maintenance tech. When drilling the handle, don't drill all the way through at first. The holes seldom line up. Drill through one side only, put it on then run the drill bit through the first hole and shaft and drill the rest of the way through. Now on bolting down the jack. It is not just to keep it from sliding around. Since the top of the jack is in a collar and can't move, as the bottom of the jack moves around it will tilt the press bar left and right or even front to back. So check this and clamp it before you drill. The support rods can be drilled and tapped on the end and a fender washer bolted on or use a hole saw and make two thicker washers. You can do this by hand with a drill and it will be close enough.
Love the collar idea. I will be stealing that! I've seen other folks thread the ends with a lathe, or drill for a pin, but the collars are simple and don't compromise a load bearing part. For anyone coming along afterwards: the pins (at least on the press I have HF Item # 32879) are 20mm or just a hair larger than 25/32". McMaster has metric collars too so you don't have to enlarge the bore.
Good to know about the metric sized collars....I guess I could have looked that up...😕
You can epoxy fill the release knob. I used a water spigot knob that’s works very well.
Shop lights Great Idea!!
Those light make things SO much better, especially when using press as a break, or when trying to make sure something is centered
Nice job
Thanks...and thanks for watching!
Nice mods.
Thanks!
Great modifications. How did you attach the lights to the press?
I drilled some hole and tapped them for some small bolts....I think I used 1/4-20, or even smaller
Do you remember which knob you brought from McMaster-Carr? In typical MMC fashion they have like a hundred of em
I don't, but the link in the description will take you to the selection I chose from. I think I measured the shaft on the jack to know what size hole the knob needed to have
Any pictures on how you ran the cable on your wench
Here's the video I did for the earlier mods, to include the winch: th-cam.com/video/l3isbCokfzw/w-d-xo.html
i did the same mod with the set screws but welded on M10 Nuts and use ball tip set screws they have a ball bearing in the tip. mcmaster # 93339A254