Arbor press: metal object onto a long rod?

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zondar

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Hello forum members,

I have a small arbor press that has the usual rotating stage with cut-outs for a shaft, etc., but I want to press a tight-fitting piece of metal onto a long rod.

There must be a trick (a clamp or something) for doing this, right? :)

Thank you.
 
Heat the part you want to press and cool the rod if you can if I'm understanding this . I guess there is a reason this couldn't be pinned onto the rod ?
 
Is this really a question about how to grab the shaft without damage while pushing on the part?
If the press is bolted to a bench, can you pass the shaft thru the rotating stage cut-out and put the shaft end on a pile of blocks on the floor?
How about a v-block in a vise clamped to the shaft above the table?

How long of rod are we talking?
If it cannot be worked vertically due to floor/ceiling clearances, perhaps mount the press horizontally.

Dave's trick above will make it easier too.

Brian
 
Wild guess, is the long thin rod invar? If so, most of the thermal expansion would have to be in the other part. If both parts are invar, the thermal trick will take a wide temperature difference.
 
You could grab the rod in a collet block, and move it down periodically. You would probably have to manually drive the sleeve down with a hammer, unless the rod will fit in your press.
 
Thanks for the responses.

Yes, it's a 1/4 inch Invar rod, 3 feet long. The piece to be pressed on is brass. I think the rod is probably too long and thin to sustain much pressure from the other end, like it would just bow eventually.

But actually, I had got to thinking that this must be a common problem with a common solution, so I was asking generically. A collet block sounds like a practical answer (though I don't have any), as is the possibility of a shrink fit.

In this particular case, then, I'll probably tap some holes for set screws to hold it in position, assuming I can achieve a decently-close sliding fit.

Thanks again.
 
You could put the 3 foot rod up through where that rotating stage is, hanging it off the table a bit or drill a hole into the bench if you could to let the rod go down through. Then grab the rod with a clamp, maybe vise grips above the press stage so you can hold it there while you press on the brass piece. So there is just an inch or two above the clamp holding it from being pushed down.

That method depends on how hard a push you need. If needed can put a piece of brass or something else soft to help from marring the shaft as it is held tight.
 
Actually, I could use a chuck! My tiny one is less than 2" thick.

I have over/under reamers in the 1/4" size. The under size is too tight without a proper press, while the over size is a tiny bit too loose. I just bought a 0.25" reamer now.

Depending on how the new reamer works out, I'll either press fit it with a chuck as a clamp, or I'll shrink fit it. Or, if all that fails, I'll use set screws.

Thanks again.
 
split collars would be my way--several of them in a row if needed. just need an allen wrench for tightening and loosing.
Dave
 
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