arbor press

You should be able to read closed threads.

Key to success is having the holes for the tooling bored accurately. The holes have to be straight, square, and in alignment with each other.

The closed threads don't have detsils.  What holes?

I was just browsing through the closed threads. I was able to read all the content.  One of those threads has the details on the size of the holes.

There are holes in the ram and base to mount tools.

The holes in the ram and base that hold the cups must be accurately bored to the proper size, and in line with each other with no offset.

Larry

C.W., you must have found a thread I didn't

Larry, There are no holes in the ram of the Harbor Freight press, and the base has a rotating press.  Picture attached.

Here is the thread discussing hole sizes.

You may find it helpful to look over the sites of the guys that make presses that are set up for toy train repair.

Here is the Hobby Horse site

Here is the first TTRP page from the Henning's site.

And Here is Train tender's page on tools.

In order to find the old threads, I did a search on "arbor press" (without the quotes)

This view of the press sold by Hennings for train repairs shows a hole in the ram that holds a tool (rivet clincher or wheel cup) in place with a thumbnut. The base has a hole for the various anvils and wheel cups. The HF press would probably need to be modified to have the tools mount and fit properly.

Larry

Thanks for digging up the references, guys.  Looks to me as if the HF arbor press is useless unless one can do precision drilling.

The Hennings, Train Tender, and HH presses are bit expensive when I only contemplate doing this one loco

Hi RJR

 You need the base plate which is not sold by its self. The co that makes it won't sell it separate. 

The various anvils and clinchers we Sell separate And the wheel cup sets.

 Sorry we can't help with base.

hah3, Is what you're saying that the base plate that came with the HF press is useless?  Seems to me also that something is wrong that the HF press  if to use it there must be a hole in the ram.  I've done many jobs on model trains and full-size boats & cars, but never did use an arbor press, so that's an area where I am a neophyte. 

Met you at York:  we were discussing wheel pullers.  The press on your web site looks to be excellent and top quality, but as I noted above, I don't expect to do another job requiring one.

Hi RJR

If you only have one thing that you need done. You can call me at shop.

 I will be there Saturday. we most likely can help you out by having you send us your job       

and we can press it for you. Phone (215) 362-2442. Ask for Harry III.

Thanks for the offer, Harry, and I may eventually take you up on it.  But rebuilding this loco is one of a diminishing list of tasks that I physically can do, plus it offers the challenge of learning how to do something I've not tackled before.  In the 70+ years I've had trains, I have never completely torn down a loco, until now.

RJR, the HF press does not have a hole in the ram because it may not be designed to accommodate tools. Usually an arbor press is used to press shafts or pins into holes, and the full face of the ram is used. The presses we use are custom built/modified for our needs by the manufacturer.

Larry

Thanks for the info, Larry.

RJR I  like that you have taken this up as a challenge I think that is great!!

 If you have questions hope we can help. And yes remember you from York.

 Had told how I was taught to remove wheels.

  Have fun That is what it's about!! 

As  said, they way you were taught to remove wheels is the way I was taught.   They came right out.

I want to again thank all those who offered me suggestions and advice, above.  I reassembled the loco with new bushings and axles, hooked up the side rods adequately quartered.  Rolls easily.  Have not put the motor in yet.

I had bought some bushings at York.  In the light of home, they didn't look just right, so I ordered some from The Train Tender.  They looked right and I installed them with the press.  The Train Tender also gave me some advice:  when pressing the bushings in, the inside diameter will shrink and they may have to be reamed out.  He was right.  I have a set of numbered drill bits and used them (and compressed air) to ream out the holes.  Axles are snug but turn easily.  TT's advice saved me from sweating.

The real test will come when I reinstall the PS2 system, which lets the loco run dead slow.  It was that capability that caused me to find there was binding.  When conventionally operating with a Pulmor, one doesn't/can't run dead slow.

quote:

 I have a set of numbered drill bits

I also have a set of 1-60 numbered drill bits (wire gauge), and use them frequently when working on trains, Sometimes I use them as gauges to figure out the size of a hole.