Making a homemade press machine is easy if you know the proper steps and process. Once equipped with the step-by-step process with the right tools, you can build a press machine at home.
The two main types of press machines are hydraulic and mechanical press. The hydraulic press machine is the commonest due to its versatility.
It can bond, crush, compress, and strengthen metals. Another name for hydraulic press machine is Shop press.
You may have even considered getting a shop press for your garage but could not because they are expensive. On the other hand, here’s an informed guide to making a homemade press machine.
Making a Homemade Mini Hydraulic Press
Step 1: Have a Plan
Having homemade press plans is crucial to making a hydraulic press machine. A DIY hydraulic press plan will help you know the tools you need, the materials, and how you will get them.
With excellent homemade press plans, you can then look for the tools and materials you will need to build the press machine.
Step 2: Gather the Tools and Materials Required
You can’t make a homemade press machine without the proper tools and materials. So please list all the tools and materials you will need and get them. For this process, you are going to need the following.
- Bottle Jack(4 tons)
- Two heavy-duty metal brace
- Threaded Rods(12mm)
- Nuts
- Flat Washers
- Drill Press
- Measuring Tape
- Angle Grinder
- Liquid Metal
You have to protect yourself too because there will be a lot of drilling and cutting involved in this process. For your safety, you are going to need:
- Safety Glasses
- Helmet
- Welding Glove
- Safety Boot
- Blast Shield
Please, make use of your personal protection equipment before starting.
When you have gathered the tools you need and laid them out, the next step is to start drilling the metal brace.
Step 3: Drill the Metal Brace to Fit the Threaded Rod
You will drill both sides of the metal braces to fit the threaded rods using a right drill press.
Don’t just start drilling the holes without knowing the exact width of the threaded rod. Doing that can waste the metal braces.
First, measure the width of the threaded rod with your measuring tape to know the exact measurement before drilling both metal braces.
Then, use an angle Grinder to smoothen the surface of the metal braces, especially where you drilled.
This is called making pinholes. It is an essential part of the process. You don’t want to rush this step at all. You also have to be very patient because it takes time.
After successfully drilling the metal braces, you will now cut the threaded rods.
Step 4: Cut the Threaded Rods
Cutting the threaded rod is another important step that takes time. Before you cut the rods, you have to pump your bottle jack. After you have done that, measure its length.
The length of the bottle jack is going to determine how long you will cut the threaded rod. Add about 50mm to 60mm to the length of the bottle jack.
You are going to need two lengths of the threaded rods. That will be the length of each threaded rod. The tool you will use to cut your threaded rod is the Angle Grinder.
After this step, you can now attach a metal brace to the Bottle Jack using liquid metal.
Step 5: Attach the Bottle Jack to a Metal Brace
You have to be careful with this step because the liquid metal is very toxic. Make sure you use your safety gloves before opening them.
The liquid metal pack has two compositions: the liquid form and the powdered form.
Add 50% of each to the surface of the metal brace and attach the bottle jack.
After doing this, you have to leave it for 5-10 minutes to get hard. Make sure you wipe any trace of the liquid metal on the bottle jack. You don’t want it to stick to the bottle jack.
After both the metal brace and the bottle Jack has been attached, the next step is to assemble the remaining tools.
Step 6: Assemble the Remaining Parts
This is the longest part of the procedure. The first thing to do is attach one nut on one end of the threaded rods and apply two flat washers on each rod.
After doing this, Take the coupled metal brace and the bottle jack, then place them flat on the table, and put the threaded rods from beneath inside the two pinholes you drilled.
After this, add another two flat washers on each rod, attach one nut, and screw it down.
Then, you will stand the coupled metal brace and the bottle jack and reduce the bottle jack a little.
After which, you will add one nut and flat washer each and screw it down a bit on both rods.
Next, turn the second brace inside down, join it, add a washer, a nut on each rod, and screw tight.
You will then pump your bottle jack again till its head is resting directly on the top of the second metal brace.
Then, check all the screws again and ensure they are all tight. When you reduce the bottle jack, the metal brace won’t shake.
After that is done, your hydraulic press machine is ready for use. You can go ahead and crush the things that you want. Ensure you use your PPE at all times.
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Final Thoughts
Making a hydraulic press is easy with this easy-to-understand process. The beauty of this process is that you can make the hydraulic press without welding, which has discouraged so many people from considering a DIY approach.
This four-ton mini hydraulic press machine makes crushing and compressing things more fun.
It is also not expensive and all the materials used can be found in any store. Hopefully, now you’ll be able to make a homemade press machine by yourself.
