New Project Completed

[dmc]

New project completed. Here are a few pix of a 20 ton press I built.

[Jay O]

Looks nice enough that you don't even have to paint it. :-) What size channel did you use? I like the winch idea. I don't know if you bought your jack new but maybe you should look into getting a HF air/hyd bottle jack. I built a press recently and I'm using one of those jacks and its working out really nice.

[dmc]

Thanks for the comments, I'll look into the jack you are describing. I came across the one I am using in a swap. The channel is 4 and 5 inch channel. Thanks again, DMC

[toolman]

I built one several years ago and used the air / hyd jack as mentioned. I would like more details on the winch set up. One thing to watch the tubing above the jack may give out. Be careful I broke a front hub off of a car trying remove sealed bearing from the hub,pieces of cast iron went every where.
Looks great

[dmc]

The winch set up pulls the cross beam up and down for you so you don't have to lug the heavy thing. It is a simple 600 lb. winch and cable from Northern Tool. The rollers across the top keep the cable from binding as it is traveling. I think I found them at Lowes over on the chain/rope aisle. Works pretty good. The tubing at the top is a piece of heavy wall 2x3 tube steel. I doubt very seriously if it could take 20 tons but so far it worked good on putting new bearings on the axles for the Ford in the background. Thanks again for the comments,
DMC

[Stampeder]

DMC:

Nice job. How wide is it? I really like the winch idea. Looks pretty slick.
How did you drill the holes in the verticals?

How much did it cost you for materials for the structural steel for it?
Most importantly however is what's in the coke machine?

[dubl_t]

definitely a clean design. good job on the lift.
2 things I don't understand though, why no ram underneath the jack and what did you do to keep the jack centered and horizontal?
I've seen some presses that were questionable in that area whereas the jack/ram had what I thought was too much play.

Tom.

[zapster]

What kind of car is that with the S.B.C. in it and the Halibrand or American Racing wheels??

...zap!

[dmc]

The press is 4 foot wide, a little over 5 foot tall. I can get exact measurements if anyone needs them, just send me your questions. There is a ram that goes under the jack. I keep different size ones stored in the top of the press to use depending on what job I am or may be doing. There is storage up there. I have some different pieces of steel I use on the table. There is a small piece of pipe welded to the top of the press stand that the jack spindle fits in to keep it centered. There are 2 pieces of 1x2 welded to the vertical upright legs that the table "rides" in to keep it centered. The steel is some that was left over when I built my car trailer so I would have to go back and figure the cost based on price per foot. The holes were a bitch to drill. They are 7/8 holes and I wore out a few bits drilling them. I used a uni bit and plenty of lube when I got close to the 7/8" size. The uni bit was the trick! The table works pretty good. I have not done any big jobs with it except axle bearings for the Ford in the background.

The car is a 1939 Ford Standard Coupe that is being fitted with a aluminum headed SBC, 3 twos, turbo 350, and a 9 inch Ford. The car still has straight axle in the front. I installed disc brakes, tilt steering and Chevy steering box. I am building in the mode of a late 60's early 70's car. The wheels are Halibrands. Contact me (PM) before anyone buys a set. The engine in it in the picture is a busted block I use for mock up along with a gutted transmission. The permanent engine is off to the side awaiting assembly.

The Coke machine has an assortment of refreshing beverages. Just depends on what you want that day!

Thanks for all of the comments, you guys are fun to talk too and hopefully I can learn from you folks. Check out my submission on the "your imagination" thread and let me know what you think.
Take care,
dmc