Crater Creator
Member
- Messages
- 443
- Location
- Aberdeen, Scotland
I knocked this together from some C-channel and a hydraulic ram I got off fleabay. I reckon it worked out half the price of a Machine Mart 20-tonne one.
In the picture I'm using it to press in the bearings to some Beetle front drums (one of my current projects).
I decided to go for a 20-tonne cylinder, but at 15-tonne I can see the top channel bending a couple of mm, so I haven't gone beyond that, and will probably never need to.
But at least I know my welding is half-decent, through (thankfully) non-destructive testing. It was migged, about 125 amps I think, never approaching full penetration but I was welding from both sides on every seam so I reckon probably enough penetration. The channel is fairly thick, 15kg/m channel. I actually didn't expect to see any deflection at 20 tonne, but there is some.
I'm planning on welding a couple of tabs on the end of the bench to bolt it to, I don't want it to take up more floor space than is necessary.
In the picture I'm using it to press in the bearings to some Beetle front drums (one of my current projects).
I decided to go for a 20-tonne cylinder, but at 15-tonne I can see the top channel bending a couple of mm, so I haven't gone beyond that, and will probably never need to.
But at least I know my welding is half-decent, through (thankfully) non-destructive testing. It was migged, about 125 amps I think, never approaching full penetration but I was welding from both sides on every seam so I reckon probably enough penetration. The channel is fairly thick, 15kg/m channel. I actually didn't expect to see any deflection at 20 tonne, but there is some.
I'm planning on welding a couple of tabs on the end of the bench to bolt it to, I don't want it to take up more floor space than is necessary.