Building a press at work

[jaywood]

Just thought I'd share. I enjoy seeing everyone else's projects on here so here's my most recent. It's not quite done yet. It's a pneumatic heat press. It will have a "dash" with controls for adjusting temp/time/pressure/etc.

I'm using recycled metal from a huge horizontal band saw. I'll let the pics do the talking.







HF casters... ;)





This is the frame for the bottom. An alu plate will be bolted on and leveled out. This will sit in the middle of the whole frame and be secured to the sides of the frame via bolts.



This is the piece that will hold the aluminum heater plate and push it down.




Here's the heating plate with that piece attached



Starting to take shape





2 aluminum brackets I milled to hold the rod that guided the heating plate. PC'd silver from PBTP.





You can see the 2 alu brackets guiding the rods.



Sorry for the iPhone pics, it was all I had.

I'll keep this thread updated for those who care ;)

[george graves]

Nice work! What's it used for?

[jaywood]

Nice work! What's it used for?

Thanks George!

It is made to bond plastics together and make bags with. It should be cool...Hopefully it works!!

The electronic/plumbing part is coming up. I think you'll enjoy that part!

[jaywood]

Brackets for the buttons to raise/lower the head



Electrical box mounted up top. Valve and what not mounted on the backside for the air for the ram





I laser cut some black acrylic and mounted the gauges/timers/emergency shut-off



Mounted those brackets I made earlier. They guide the head



Air lines hooked up



I put some insulation around the head (heated) so it's more like an oven. It keeps the heat in. I also made some metal shields and PC'd those silver.





Buttons mounted and wired in



Welded up a bracket for the timer switch



Started hooking up more wires and what not! It's getting close!

[F34R]

Very nice looking man.

[Bglad]

That appears to be pneumatic not hydraulic. But nice work either way!

[jaywood]

That appears to be pneumatic not hydraulic. But nice work either way!

Yes correct.

Did I say hydraulic earlier? Sorry!!

[LuckyHenriksen]

This is neat, nice work!

[jaywood]

Thanks!

The valve is confusing. It wasn't working so it got bypassed and the ram went up & down! It worked ;) wooo

I'll have videos when it's complete!

[jaywood]

What I've learned from this project for those interested:

Powder coat is very very nice whenever you have a small enough part to fit in an old kitchen oven. Harbor freight has some decent tools for the price. HF tools used in this build: air grinder, air screwgun, break to bend the sheet steel, clamps, and vise grips. I am learning the "air-logic" part and the electronic part. All of the little switches are cool that start the timer and the heating. McMaster is VERY quick...it usually gets delivered next day depending on when you place the order.

The HF air tools are going on 2 + years of everyday use. Keep them oiled and they'll last!

[george graves]

Nice linear bearing. Are they McMaster stuff?

[jaywood]

Nice linear bearing. Are they McMaster stuff?

Yep!

Hopefully they will work good. I should have videos on Monday/Tuesday!

[E-Thirty]

Wow, did not think it would end up looking so clean, judging by the first couple pics.

Props man, well done!

[jaywood]

Wow, did not think it would end up looking so clean, judging by the first couple pics.

Props man, well done!

Thanks! ;)

[FunfGan]

Quality work man!