Flypress table modifications for improved clamping
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2018
- I have for quite some time needed to improve the way I clamp dies under the flypress. In this video I transfer the T nut slots from the original fly press base through my auxilarry table. Then I ad some extar threaded holes for even greater options. This was inspired by Rigoni Ironworks / @rigoniironworks
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Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.
Really like the way that when you fail, you analyse what occurred and feedback what you'd change and you adapt to that. Thanks to you, I think we all learn alot
1st fly press I've seen! Pretty cool, I'd like to see it work!!
Thanks Mr John!👍👍
I love the idea of talking more and doing videos about the more repetitive, tooling based, side of blacksmithing. I wish that sort of content was easier to find
Very good idea!
The museum has an old mechanical press, but it's not a fly press. It has a frame that goes around the press shaft, which is threaded. The wheel that operates the press has ratchet indentations around its circumference, and a lever attached to the frame that operates the ratchet. The press is in good working order, but doesn't have any tooling. Getting the thing operational is on my list, but it's low on the priority scale. Your video has given me some ideas about how to get the project going. Thanks!
sounds like an interesting tool
RIP Grinders. ...you've done well. Great project, John. Making a tool easier and more practical to use is always a good thing to share. No, I don't have a fly press, but ideas from this upgrade can float to other flat surfaces as well. This would work well with a welding/work table for instance.
First thought: the threaded holes need a cap so they don't fill with scale 🤔 5 minutes later: you tell us your plan to use set screws👍♥️
My smithing budy and i are investing in a #2 flypress next week. We are very excited to have a press that is virtually worry free from break downs!
Hey John I found out the hard way also. In the past three or four years I must of burnt out a dozen angle grinders. What I learned was to stick with units over 9 amps 11 is better but anything under 7 amps is really just for a homeowner and will not take a real days work. With saying that Milwaukee always made nice tools, myself I seem to use greenLee when I can but they don’t make everything. Mainly just for an electrician. Oh yea I have a greenLee porta bandsaw and I need to make a stand for it. I never thought of doing that until I saw yours what a great idea I always wanted a bandsaw but never had the room for a floor standing one that will cut steel. Ok thx again John....Paul.
Bigger is better does seem to be common for blackamithing tools
Great work, John. That’s an awesome tool.
Really nice press. Probably very handy dandy with that modified table. Looking forward in seeing it in action.
Dear John, once you own and use a Plasma cutter, your cutting dilemma days are over. Just like cutting butter with a butter knife. As for angle grinders, Bosch are brilliant machines. They make 9” {230mm} machines which are hard work to handle. Most popular are the 6” grinders {150mm} which don’t have much meat in the cutting discs and so wear out very quickly. In the middle they make a 7” {180mm} grinder which has about three times the usable material in a slightly larger size. The machine is a lot easier to handle than the 9” models. You have to look around to find the 7” discs but they come in flap discs, grinding and cut-off discs. Cheers.
John,My Craftsman 4/1/2" Grinder Bit the Dust also,I replaced it with a Milwaukee 5" variable speed 13 amp angle grinder,I liked it so well I purchased another one. Cost $139.00 each, Northern Tool.
I just cut a 2" slab of mild steel with a 35 year old Makita circular saw. It has end play so I only use it for cutting stone or metal. It took 6 fiber blades but I got it done.
Thanks for the idea. I don’t have a fly press but the same applies for the drill press I have. Thanks for your videos, very intuitive. Moz...
Fill the unused holes with hot glue. Will keep the dross and scale out and when you need to use them, use a pick and pop the glue right out.
Great idea! I have to make a stand for my flypress so I can use it. I can't wait to see the bottle opener tools.
Another great video John. Thanks for the ideas. Look forward to implementing those on my fly press. Thanks again!!!
Those T-nut clamps look just like rockers under a valve cover, just a lot bigger!
Once again, great video and info. Thank you
to plug the new holes, have you thought about using boles, mark them cut the heads off and with a cutoff wheel. then, put a slot on the top for a flat head screw driver? looks like you did a great job !
I like those little life hacks like that hacksaw blade!
It worked pretty well other than bending the blade into a useful mess.
Great video John
If you have a HILTI dealer in your area you should definitely try one it is used on all construction sites all over Europe they are simply the best when it comes to getting your job done I only use Hilti tools and I don't think I will ever switch to another tool brand
I'm still running hard a 20 year old Hilti grinder. 11 amp, 5" bad ass
Great improvement and usability for the table.
Thank you for the video i have been looking for a fly Press
Great job John. looks really neat and useful. I don't have a fly press to know but it looks like the improvements will make it easier for you and save time. I enjoyed this video. Thanks!
For future reference if you practice a little bit on some scrap plate with the cutting torch you can cut some relatively clean holes/ slots and then clean them up with a hard wheel on the grinder instead of using cut off wheels and burning up grinders. I did a similar project cutting out heavy plate with a torch and practice definitely helps to limit the cleanup
Thanks John I am looking to buy a fly press so I well copy your stand and top plate.cheers
A third option would be to still flame-cut the central portion of the slots leaving 1/8" or so to slice out with a cut-off or reciprocating saw.
That is the next tool I'm looking to get hopefully is a fly press. those angle grinders I don't know if you have a Harbor Freight in your area but I found the other big sales I bought my last one (4thbackup)for $5.my good one I've been using for well over a year religiously was only 20
Hi John I'd recommend checking out the Ridged grinder. They sell them over here as AEG and it has the most powerful motor of any 125mm grinder I have found and about middle of price. Great table👍
I also use Harbor Freight angle grinders as Ben does. I have about 10 in my shop. Each has a different disk on it, so I do not waste time changing blades. All that for $100. (on sale). They also have tougher ones at $20 and $30 (on sale). I have yet to burn one out in all the time I have been using them heavily. As I am limited in what other tools I have, these get a lot of use. I still have the first one I bought about 10 years ago. My Ryobi, however, has been relegated to light sanding work as the gears are about to go. I also use one without a guard with a 6" Bates ABR TA702 cut-off disk. The curf is thiner than a hacksaw blade curf. To mount the wheel on the frinder, I had to make a holder nut by welding a nut to a large washer so as to mount it on the grinder. I use the side handle and the back to hold it and a momentary footswitch to control it. This way my hands are nowhere near or in line with the blade. In my shop (a DIY shop) the blades last quite a while in stock normally under a half inch..
Hope this helps.
Hi John great job. Your table looks great, if you are still getting a little flex on your table you may be able to stiffen it up if you bolt the outside edges of the plate to the stand that your fly press is sitting on.
It was never the table flexing it was the mounting plate on that one die holder that flexed because it was only clamped at the ends. One of the things I like about the table is that it is unobstructed for most of the edge so you can clamp to it. So hopefully I won't need any extra supports
i like all your content thanks for taking the time to make
i have never used a marvel saw but this job could have been done if you could have welded up the entry cut and drilled a hole at each end of the slot
Perhaps. Hindsight always suggests an alternate plan
Sweet
I really got to get one of those.
They are very useful tools. I d on't use mine anywhere near as much as I should
I'm with ya. That would a game changer
I use a grinder daily for my job welding and fitting tube and plate repairing boilers. I don't usually like to recommend tools but over the years the only grinders that I bought that weren't a disappointment were the metabo 6" angle grinder. (And the 10" Milwaukee if you can lift It). Metabo is hands down better than any other grinder I've used.
Agreed pipefitter/steamfitter here and you can’t beat out a metabo
I dont know about America but in Australia Makita angle grinders have a 2 year Warranty and they are normally really good about fixing them.
I think it is the same. I was able to get a full refund with no questions asked.
Cutting wheels are hard in grinders. That fine dust kills them. I fabricate and have gone thru many grinders. So far iv had nothing but good luck out of a dewalt D28115.
It's a 13A
4.5 t0 5 in grinder. I had this grinder for almost 3 yrs now. I use cut wheels grind wheels flap disk and wire brush. Still running like it new.
I own 3 now 1 with cutting disk 1 with grinding and 1 with wire brush. I don't plan on having to buy another grinder for a while
My craftsman grinder is over 20 yrs old and still going strong please do some vids of using this press in forging i want to know more about fly presses thanks
I do plan on doing more videos using all of the larger tools
It may not be something i am doing in my shop however i got a glimpse of how versitile a fly press can be
I hope to show what it can do in more videos.
Great mod John, I now know how to modify and make fly press more usable. Next question, where the hell can I get a fly press? I might make one, have some heavy cast iron stands , a huge cast iron flywheel and a few other bits, will need to get engineering to make me a threaded shaft and knuckle so we will see!
West Coast Flypress or Old World Anvils
First, I hope you put Allen screws in all those holes, or else you will need to run a thread chase in them before you use them. Second, the 2-4 days you would be waiting for your table to get done is time that machine would have been down... you forgot to add that to your + - figures. Third, the fact that you did not have an 11 amp grinder on hand is concerning, considering you said that is what you should have at your shop... Great DIY vid, thanks Edit- you did think about the crud, next time I'll watch all the way thru before commenting. lol
Hi John, good video! What is the length and width of the 1/2" table? Thanks
Go to the Shars website and look under work holding. They are the first listed. they are available on Amazon I'm sure maybe cheaper.
I'm sure you have already thought of it, but, I'm going to suggest a mill toe clamp set. I've had a set for my drill press for 30+ years and found them to be "handy as a hip pocket".
I may have thought of it, but what I am not familiar with that name.
Ha, ha, ha, "It's almost sick" 13:09
I purchased this machine
Should have used the torch! Half inch plate wouldn't have warped ,it looked to be hot rolled, saved 4 hours driving, 2 grinders cost of the waterjet service's. Blacksmithing is about creating what is needed efficienitly. Just like tooling, planing the steps in forging any item, all the things you have been teaching and showing on this channel. Keep up the good vids and I'm praying for rain for you.
I opted not to use the torch because of the generally lower quality of cut that would then still need considerable grinding. Not because I was worried about warpage.
Thanks, we will see if sacrificing a couple of grinders helps make it rain.
Just invested in a Norton No. 8 I’m interested in the clamps used in this video, any suggestions on brand or retailer? Love your videos, very helpful. Thank you.
www.mcmaster.com/products/machining-clamps/clamp-type~machine-table/self-supporting-setup-clamps/
John...invest in a plasma cutter. Love mine.
For my shop a plasma cutter would be used so rarely it would not be worth it. I had one once and got rid of it. A tool you need once every 10 or 15 years isn't always worth it when space is limited.
I do not use my Plasma Cutter every day but is a time saver when I need it.
my little shop is only 8 feet by 12 feet, I have 2 drill presses, 2 work benches, 1 floor model metal band saw, 2 gas tanks, 1 -4 drawer filing cabinet, my cart with my mig welder & plasma cutter, 1 cart with my AC stick welder, my HF anvil w/some tools ! I am 76 and I am in process of making a break drum forge, which will be out side with my long steel work bench, which is rigged with 110, 2 vices, and my cut off saws when needed,
the bench as pullout supports to cut 20 foot sticks of steel with a tripod support. My last big project was 10 4x8 steel security doors for the house & a few windows, all had many "S" scrolls & "C's .
Love your videos John, I think I have seen them all, learning a lot, you are a fantastic instructor .
Gary
Hey, John. Do you think you just burned up the brushes on those Makita grinders? If you replace the brushes, you might be able to put them back in service. Idk. 🤔
I recently got a No. 6 just like this. It didn’t come with the T bolts. Any idea where I could get some?
Thanks for the great videos!
McMaster Carr has a large selection
Maybe it was a bad batch of grinders? I too do metal working for a living. Have 2 makitas the exact same as yours. I paid $59 a piece for them 4 years ago and use them daily. One with a cutting disc and one with flap wheels. Only issue I ever had was the cord end on one went bad but I put a new 3 prong on it and it still works great. What about trying out one of those low profile metabo grinders and doing a review on it?
I wouldn't mind trying one of those. Although it would really require years of use to know how they hold up.
Super profesore of albania
I see you have drilled the holes for your plate and they match up with the ones on the Fly Press. I have tried that many times with router plates, drill jig's etc. and never quite get it to line up. Any tips? Love your videos, keep them coming!
Careful layout and drill a bit oversized to allow for some wiggle.
John, take those grinders back, they must have more than a six months warranty on them.
Thats the plan
Hi, I really like the idea..... please tell me what is the size of this flypress..... waiting for your valuable response
My fly press is a #6
Thanks for reply..... please also confirm is it cast iron body or steel body......and is it made in India ????
I would highly appreciate your favour.
Thanks
I got about five knives waterjet cut for about 15$
Try machinists hold down set they come in different sizes they are very flexible on what you need to clap down/hold down but buy the best quality you are willing to spend from MSC or other tooling companies they are very versatile
I do have a set
👍👍👍
Can you tell me the size of your flypress n where you bought it n are you happy with
Its a #6 from Old World Anvils. Very happy with it
Just get a piece of threaded rod and cut off as many plugs as you need Chuck in your battery drill to deburr both ends and make a slot in one end of each plug with your bandsaw to fit a screwdriver...
That would work but would take shop time that is worth more spent on customer product than what the cost of set screws. But it is a very blacksmith thing to do, spend $50 time and materials to make a $10 part 😜
Hmmm........manufacturers warranty?..........If les than a year old they should replace them shouldn't they?
I do hope so
Did you just burn out the brushes on those angle grinders? Next time use a Saws-All for the finish cuts.
I have never seen thick smoke as a result of a burnt brush, but I suppose its possible
Have had wonderful success with the carbide toothed blades for the reciprocating saw.
Shady Oak Forge amen brother my saws all is my go to tool for everything
This a number 6 flypress?
Yes it is
Most stuff did not have inbuilt obsolescence back then.
Best grinders are Metabo. More expensive but they last for ever.
Call me crazy but you could weld reinforcing on the bottom of you platen to help out with the flex.
The flex was in the plate on the die holder not in the table itself.
Items such as electrics, appliances, power tools and Etc that are made and sold specifically for Black Friday or other Christmas door buster type sells are usually cheaper and or inferior version of products sold year round. So you burning both of the angle grinders up in under a year does not surprise me at all
a pneumatic cut off wheel would save ware and tare and the grinders
Never had a good run with Makita. Every Makita I've bought or been given has hemorrhaged early in it's life. My new table saw was a disappointment needing brushes at about 10 hrs use and bearings after only 3 months. My old GMC had lasted 12 years with no problems whatsoever.
Makita holds a two or a five year warranty on those.
I am hoping they stand behind them.
You burned the brushes.. Replace em and you'll be right mate.
For cuts like that angle grinders aren't fun. Drill a hole and use a jig saw with Steele cutting blades. I know from experience
I have tried jig saws on thinner material and found them to be pretty useless for the task. You may have a much better jig saw than I did.
Black Bear Forge I think mine is just an eckland uses the longer blades than standard. And I've cut allot of Steele with it. Works better than the skill saw with consumable blades. Mind I do have to replace the blade after about 5 feet of 1 inch Steele. And almost forgot. I won't cut thinner than 1/4 inch Steele with jig saw. Useless jumps to much.
It would be interesting to see that. I suspect it is not the same thing I picture when I think Jig Saw
milwaukee, mikita, ryobi and rigid all come out of the same factory in china....
Best grinder made is a metabo. That's about all you will see pipefitter using.
They do have a good reputation
Black Bear Forge Mr. Switzer, I'm telling you the honest truth, the only grinder i have that will keep up with my 5" metabo is my old 9" skill that belonged to my grandpa. Metabo is number one with Milwaukee at number 2. Bosch and Makita are tied for 3. And dewalt is 4. Portercable places 5 in grinders. As far as cordless tools Milwaukee and Makita ate tied. Corded drills is Milwaukee and dewalt. Hammer drills is Bosch. And I'm not just throwing names out there. I grew up in the construction industry, and worked In construction until the recession hit and the job market dried up. I've been driving a truck ever since.
I never doubted you
Black Bear Forge i didn't mean for it to sound like that if it did.
6 months you still have warranty.
Yes, I also already have a full refund.
Why do you need a fly press? ...you have 2 power hammers and a hydraulic press (???)
Each tool is different and has different strengths and weaknesses. A fly press is more of a precision tool in many cases when compared to a power hammer or hydraulic press. I would get rid of the hydraulic press before I would the fly press.
@BlackBearForge good point...I guess i was just thinking that I have watched many many of your videos and I only remember you ever using the fly press just once...perhaps a video on the use of a fly press? Lol...thank you for your reply...You're my favorite blacksmith...no one explains blacksmithing better than you best regards,
Sawzall would have finished them easy
You are too hard on yourself. I always buy the medium price range angle grinders. They are all made in china so there you go.......great work though keep it up. "The Maker BEcomes apart of What He Makes"
hmm john you have a tendancy to just pop up in your videos, it like oh nice old flypress then boop you appear hi, do you like to come out of nowhere and frighten people like I do, you seem to do it alot to me, and yes the plate looks heavy its thick like parts we have of the steam loco 765 its not like huge solid but does have very thick often forged metal over 1/2 inch thick or just plane old solid, like just the valve gear switching mechenism is 50 lbs and takes 2 of us to pick up and carry, or if your like me you bang your head on the boiler on the inside and its soo hard you dont even ring it due to its thickness and soild nature, meanwhile it rings my dome and gives me a headache.
Shame Mikita SHAME!!!!!🤨