Arbor Press Ratchet Upgrade

Converting my cheap Harbor Freight arbor press to ratchet.
Harbor Freight extendable ratchet: amzn.to/2EN33GH It's a lot cheaper at Harbor Freight so buy it there is you can.
SOATMON Blog page: www.Soatmon.com
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[@mirzabalayevk]

*Works perfectly for my use as a heated press **MyBest.Tools** Space between the ram jack and the base is a little tight. Make sure you set the ram jack arm so that it's in a position for you to get maximum leverage on whatever you're pressing. You may have to unbolt the front plate of the press and realign the ram in the teeth so that the arm is not at an awkward angle when fully cranked down.Other than aligning the ram in the teeth with the crank arm this .5 ton arbor press comes out of the box pretty much ready to use.*

[@outsidescrewball]

years back did something similar, made a socket that slid over the shaft and held in place with a pin in the handle hole, now unit remained stock and could be used in either method

[@SoatMon]

Good idea. Thanks!

[@RayGreen94510]

I drilled a hole for a pin in an 1-5/16 socket, slid it over the shaft secured with a pin and done. I can use a long 1/2 drive ratchet or remove the pin and use the original bar.

[@SoatMon]

Thanks for sharing Ray!

[@douglasstovall2395]

Saw Someone use a torque wrench with a similar setup. Was able to get consistent results when stamping leather after a little experimenting on some scraps.

[@SoatMon]

That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@glennfelpel9785]

Again you came up with another good idea. I really like this on because it gets annoying always dealing with the slide handle. With the extendable ratchet it makes it doubly useful. Happy New Year, hope the best for you, and thanks for another good video.

[@SoatMon]

Thanks Glenn. I hope you have a Happy New Year as well!

[@artfulcoyote]

Sweet. Got same ratchet - handy.

[@SoatMon]

Thanks!

[@johnsanford3596]

Another similar option, since you have the metal lathe. Take a nut, drill it out to remove the threads. Turn the end that you welded to down to fit the de-threaded nut, then weld the nut onto the turned down end. Alternatively, IF you have a large enough die, you could simply turn it down enough, thread it, and spin the nut on and affix it in some fashion. If you were to use left hand threads, you wouldn't even have to worry about the nut coming loose. Now you can put a socket on the nut, but you aren't extending the shaft out nearly as far. Me, I think I'm going to do something using a spring loaded plunge knob.

[@SoatMon]

Thanks for sharing your idea John!

[@OldIronShops]

Dead simple upgrade I like it.

[@SoatMon]

Thanks!

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

Great solution, much better than grinding teeth off the ram.

[@SoatMon]

Thanks!

[@denniscliff2071]

That is an excellent idea. I find that there is very little mechanical advantage with these presses given that short lever arm. It will not work a well annealed Morgan dollar. I am going to weld on a half inch socket and use the longest breaker bar that I can find.

[@SoatMon]

Awesome, hope it works out for you!

[@hitnmiss49]

Very good idea. I'm going to copy that if you don't mind.

[@SoatMon]

Sure, enjoy!

[@thomasklink3766]

Slick, I'm heading out to the shop to do the same.

[@SoatMon]

Awesome! Hope it goes well for you.

[@phillipbarnhouse496]

Thanks for the great idea !!!

[@SoatMon]

You're welcome Phillip!

[@EssexSilvering]

Brilliant idea, thanks for sharing.

[@SoatMon]

You're welcome!!

[@Mikidy303]

Nice video and nice upgrade! Thanks for posting it.

[@SoatMon]

Thanks Mike!

[@kmcwhq]

I have a larger press. I just leave the collar off the left side of the spindle. Then you can take the spindle out of the rack, and rotate it to a good spot, slide it back in, done.

[@SoatMon]

I never thought of that... Good idea, thanks!

[@Sjackson2369]

I found a small dake without a handle and this will be the first thing to get done on it

[@SoatMon]

Awesome find, hope it goes well for you.

[@jessedobner4453]

Any leads on replacing the locking pin with a knob? Mine's already showing metal fatigue.

[@jardel_lucca]

Very cool.

[@SoatMon]

Thanks!

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

But did it last?

[@SoatMon]

Still working

[@joell439]

👍👍👍

[@SoatMon]

Thanks!