Americanizing The Enco

RIMSPOKE

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I NEEDED A LARGER SHOP PRESS THAN CAN HANDLE "C" SIZE KEYWAY BROACHES
SO MY TRUSTY ROYERSFORD EXCELSIOR #2 WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN
ENCO 3 TON RATCHET PRESS . I FINALLY SCORED ONE ON SALE & FREE SHIPPING .

SO THE CHINESE PRESS IS IN THE SHOP AND WHILE A GREAT VALUE FOR THE
MONEY , IT STILL MANAGES TO DISSAPOINT .
FOR "OPENERS" IT's MAX OPEN HEIGHT 12" NOT 12 5/8" AS THEY CLAIM .
TIME TO VOID ANOTHER WARRANTY .

IF THE ENCO-ITES OF THE EAST HAD PUT JUST ONE MORE TOOTH
ON THE GEAR RACK , IT WOULD HAVE ANOTHER 5/8" OF CLEARANCE ON THE SAME PRESS !
NO MATTER , IT's ONLY A CLEARANCE TOOTH AND I HAVE A MILL FOR THIS KIND OF WORK .
THIS IS A HAND GROUND SINGLE FLUTE CUTTER .
MY PRESS NOW ACTUALLY OPENS UP A FULL 12 5/8" , WHAT ENCO SAID IT WILL DO !

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NEXT , I WANT TO HAVE SOME FINESSE FOR THOSE EASY DOES IT JOBS WHERE A RATCHET ARM
IS OVERKILL . THE HANDWHEEL THEY SUPPLY IS TOO SMALL FOR ANY LEVERAGE AND DIFFICULT TO GRAB WITH BOTH HANDS .

IT IS ALSO ONLY HELD IN PLACE WITH SETSCREWS SO IT WON'T TAKE MUCH TORQUE TO GET IT TO SLIP .
TIME FOR SOME GOOD OLD FASHIONED AMERICAN IRON . I BOUGHT AN ANTIQUE VALVE HAND WHEEL ON E-BAY FOR 20 BUCKS .

I BORED THE TAPER SQUARE HOLE TO A STRAIGHT 1.250" ROUND ONE .
I TURNED DOWN A STEP ON THE END OF THE PRESS's GEAR SHAFT TO A SNUG FIT .

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I BROACHED A PAIR OF 3/16" KEYWAYS IN THE WHEEL AND CUT THE APPROPRIATE SLOTS IN THE SHAFT . ( PRESS , FIX THYSELF ! )

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MY SPACER & CAP ARE SOLID BRASS FOR A TOUCH OF CLASS AND ONCE THE KEYS WERE TAPPED IN PLACE .
IT ALL CRANKS TOGETHER WITH A CAP SCREW ON THE END . NO SLIPPAGE , EVER !

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THE NEW 10" HANDWHEEL IS GREAT . IT IS A BIG IMPROVEMENT AND JUST FEELS AMERICAN
AS YOU GRIP IT WITH TWO HANDS . THE " >>--> OPEN " EVEN POINTS THE RIGHT WAY .
NO REASON TO TOSS THE LITTLE GUY SO I PUT HIM ON THE OTHER SIDE .

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Last edited:
Nice solution! Thanks for posting the photos and info.
 
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