FLY PRESS

[DUDLEY SOUTHERNParticipant @dudleysouthern51734]

I have a project in hand to form some mild steel plate which needs to be 150mm long , approx. 30mm radius.x 1.75mm mild steel. I am considering purchasing a fly press to produce the job using a simple made up press tooling. Having looked around on our well known auction site and there appears to be a lot on offer on in various , sizes and condition. Quite a few appear to have model numbers, in normal circumstances does the lower the number mean that it is the smaller size/capacity? Also could any one let me know what to look out for in regard to wear/damage when I am viewing , and what would be the best grade of mild to more easily press? If I do get a fly press it will be well used as I regularly have the problem of pressing small items. Appreciate any advice.

[DUDLEY SOUTHERNParticipant @dudleysouthern51734]

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

Dudley I have a very small flypress in my shop and will get you some details in gbe morning. I believe it’s the smallest model available and I made up my own press tool for 90 degree bends. Mick

[Anonymous]

Posted by DUDLEY SOUTHERN on 31/01/2017 21:05:00:

……….Quite a few appear to have model numbers, in normal circumstances does the lower the number mean that it is the smaller size/capacity? Also could any one let me know what to look out for in regard to wear/damage when I am viewing………

Correct, the smaller the number the smaller the press. I've got a #3 and that's probably about as large as I can fit into a reasonable size workshop. The limiting factor, apart from weight, is the diameter needed to swing the operating arm; mine is almost 3 feet. Make sure that the operating arm has at least one, two on larger presses, balls for added weight when swinging the press.

Andrew

[DodParticipant @dod]

Thread drift warning.

Fly Press or Diptera Squasher

Shades of Brake Press/ Press Brake

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I can't believe the number of fly presses on ebay, the country must be awash with them…

edit: ah no, there's about 50 hits now, phew

Edited By Ady1 on 02/02/2017 02:37:15

[richardandtracyParticipant @richardandtracy]

Have a Norton 6DB, 6 tons load, very big, very heavy. Cost me nothing more than effort getting it home. 90 degree bends in 6 x 50mm steel flat (grade 43/S275) possible when cold with a bend radius of 6-8mm. Only using angle iron as the tooling. Quite impressed with mine, but it was a monster to get to the workshop because it's very top heavy.

Only thing to look for is a reasonably intact, unworn & rust free main thread. Mine has a secondary thread on the outside which has a stop. You can use it without the stop, but it's better not to. Most are so heavily built that loosing 1/4" to rust won't affect their usability or strength seriously. A wire brush & some paint will double their value.

Beyond that, they are so massively built it's unlikely anyone can abuse them by hand operation. If there is wear on the plunger, it could probably be shimmed out easily enough.

Regards,

Richard

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

Posted by richardandtracy on 02/02/2017 09:51:08: Only thing to look for is a reasonably intact, unworn & rust free main thread.

Some of these are like new under the surface rust but many were worked very hard on war production work, it's worth having a quick look before parting with money. Dave

[Author]

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