Got a jewelry press!

[SVD]

I've been wanting a press for some time but money's tight so it stayed on the back burner.

Then the ever-indulgent wife was looking for a birthday present suggestion and thought it sounded interesting. Problem is, the ones I could find online were either too expensive, too small a press area (I want it primarily for blanking bracelets), or just too large to fit in my rather cramped available space. Or worse, a combination of those.

So I wound up checking around locally and got referred to a welder in my area. Talked to him, showed him pictures and generally explained what I wanted. He said he'd call me the next morning with a quote. He called quite promptly and not only said he'd make it for less than $200 but that he'd have it done today.

So now I have a press.


The jack is a low-profile one from Harbor Freight (there's one six blocks from my house), the high-quality paint job is my fault, but the well-built press is by:
Portwood's Mobile Welding & Repair in Avondale (north part of KC, right by North Kansas City Hospital). 816 454 5373
If you're in the area and want a nice press at a great price, give them a call.

Mine is only 16" tall, the plate is 5" x 8" (so I can do bracelets), and it opens to a max of 4". If you want to do press forming you'll have to make yours bigger (taller mostly) and will probably need a hole in it which will add to the cost.

[tsterling]

Nice score, Steve!

Watch for the smallest 20 ton Harbor Freight air-over-hydraulic jacks to go on sale (got mine for about $60) and you won't even have to work the pump...your graver compressor should work it just fine.

Tom

[dogcatcher]

Nice looking press, and beer can recycler. LOL

[SVD]

Since I don't have any dies yet (be here in a day or two) I did, in fact, squish a can for a test. Have to lay it down at the start. At the end it's very flat.

[Renpatch]

thats cool, you can do some intaglio prints from practice plates now!