can the 1/2 ton arbor press from harbor freight be used to fix trains or are the cups for the wheels and etc not able to fit it?
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Modifications would need to be made.
Some of the ready to go presses that are on the market appear to be similar models with the modifications already done.
Micro Mark also offers an arbor press, do you know if that would work well with Lionel items? It is only about $58 while the Chicago Rivet Press is close to $300. I am interested in getting my own press but don't want to buy an inexpensive one and end up disappointed.
Micro Mark press
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ok. C W Burfle what brand would you say would not need modifications??
In addition to the Chicago Rivet press, there are two brands with which I am familar.
I own both Chicago Rivet (Lionel) and Hobby Horse Presses. I use the Hobby Horse press on a regular basis.
I have not used a Toy Train Restoration Products press, I do own a few of their wheel cups and pieces of tooling.
The Hobby Horse press is designed specifically for repairing toy trains.
The TTRP press appears to be a modified off the shelf piece.
The ready to go presses can be found at these two sites:
If you are like me, and don't have that much need for a press, just find someone local to you that has one and get them to do the job. I would like to own one too, but when you add up all the tooling costs along with the press, its very expensive. Can you justify that expense?
Rob
While it does seem expensive overall you can have the press and tools for about the cost of one used Premier MTH engine!
I HAVE MODIFIED A HARBOR FREIGHT PRESS AND IT IS FINE FOR PRESSING ON WHEELS AND THE LIKE, HOWEVER FOR COUPLERS AND OTHER SMALLER RIVETS I FIND THE BRAKEMANS SET MUCH MORE USEFUL. I STILL SOMETIMES USE A BENCH VISE FOR DIESEL WHEELSETS , EASIER TO LINE UP STRAIGHT AND CONTROL THE PRESSURE.
I find that The Chicago Rivet and Hobby Horse presses, when used with wheel cups, put the wheels on reasonably straight.
When riveting, one has to be carefull to place the rivet (or eyelet) straight and square on the anvil, otherwise the clinch will turn out crooked, and the rivet body may bend. But with practice, the resulting clinch is almost impossible to tell from a factory job.
I bought that press from Harbor Freight a few years ago and it really comes in handy. I not only use it for my trains but also for gun repairs. I've modified the ram to accept various sizes of pin punches like these.
