Hydraulic Press For Cam Install

[96FLSTF]

Now that I am on my way gradually getting the parts and stuff together to do the cam tensioner replacement, I am looking at or kicking around the idea of adding a Hydraulic Press to my collection (Just in case I decide to change cams). I just need to know how big of one I will need to press the cams in & out of the support plate. I am looking at a bench top model with a "working distance of 2" - 4" with 10-1/2" width between channels". I measured a set of stock cams I had laying around at 4-1/2" but don't yet have the Cam Shaft Install / Removal Tool to measure it. Anyone know how much space or how big of press I will need?

This is the on I am looking at but not sure if it will be big enough:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1666


Gene

[bladerunner]

 Ive never used a press for cams , the heat gun method  works great for me . Others use the oven  method. I  think they heat `em up to about 400 f ?.  I`m sure somone will chime in .............bladerunner

[HV]

We just use a small arbor press for doing cams ...

[Scurvy]

I have used the oven method (350 for 15 minutes worked for me) but I bought a press and man does that make it easy!
I got the next style up that you're looking at there 96.
What is the range there, HV, 5 1/2" needed? I would have liked an arbor press, smaller footprint and I bet a lot more sensitive when applying pressure. Darn things just cost as much as the 12 ton I bought so I went that route.

[northbrun]

the hydrolic press doesn't give you the "feel" that you get with an arbor press. I have a 20ton floor press that i use, but am thinking of picking up an arbor press  check this one out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-1-TON-HEAVY-DUTY-ASSEMBLY-PRODUCTION-ARBOR-PRESS_W0QQitemZ220349762829QQcmdZViewItemQQptZClamps_Vises?hash=item220349762829&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[96FLSTF]

the hydrolic press doesn't give you the "feel" that you get with an arbor press. I have a 20ton floor press that i use, but am thinking of picking up an arbor press  check this one out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-1-TON-HEAVY-DUTY-ASSEMBLY-PRODUCTION-ARBOR-PRESS_W0QQitemZ220349762829QQcmdZViewItemQQptZClamps_Vises?hash=item220349762829&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

I like that Arbor Press idea, but is that 5-1/2" enough room to get the cam & tool in there?

[Mike52]

Gene, if you really want to add a hydraulic press to your collection, I would go for the HF 12-ton press, it's much more versatile than the bench top model you showed, I got mine on sale at HF for about the same price they show for the smaller one. I got mine to do several cam swaps but due to it's larger size, I now use it for many other things. JMO

Mike

[HV]

the hydraulic press doesn't give you the "feel" that you get with an arbor press. I have a 20ton floor press that i use, but am thinking of picking up an arbor press check this one out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-1-TON-HEAVY-DUTY-ASSEMBLY-PRODUCTION-ARBOR-PRESS_W0QQitemZ220349762829QQcmdZViewItemQQptZClamps_Vises?hash=item220349762829&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

I like that Arbor Press idea, but is that 5-1/2" enough room to get the cam & tool in there?

Having the tools and a plate and cam at my bench..I just checked..    total stacked height is 6 3/4 in... minimum

[BJaxn]

Because of space restrictions in my shop, I purchased the HF A-frame press. It didn't have enough working height for cams, but after modification it works fine.

[ClassicRider2002]

Here is the arbor press, I have done some research on but haven't purchased to view, SIMPLY CLICK, VIEW, & READ:

GRAINGER WEB SITE

Grainger is simply a retailer selling the arbor press made by Palmgren and while Grainger lists it for $244.00.  If one does enough looking on the net via a "google" search with "Palmgren" as part of their search one can find this exact model for around $150.00.

This particular press has enough room to put a clutch basket down as well as enough height.....and is a table mount arbor press....so it seems to me this one would be big enough both in terms of height and depth to do some specific modifications we find ourselves doing on our bikes.

So the question is what do you guys think do you agree?   I didn't find any "arbor press" at Harbor Frieght with enough depth to help with sepearating the clutch basket from the clutch hub.....I basically ended up going to my local indy dealer to simply do this job for $30.00 at the time, however one dealer wanted $60.00, so pricing for such can be all over the board.....

So this arbor press it would seem to me would be able to accomplish the cams as well....although I use the dry ice and heat method.

It would be nice to know from those of you working with "arbor presses" taking a peek and giving an opinion as to whether this one in particular would be useful to own ie: cams, clutch shell baskets....? ? ? ? ?

Regards,

"Classic" 

[apendejo]

A drill press works, ok, I know I am gonna catch it from the machinists now.
AP

[96FLSTF]

the hydraulic press doesn't give you the "feel" that you get with an arbor press. I have a 20ton floor press that i use, but am thinking of picking up an arbor press check this one out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-1-TON-HEAVY-DUTY-ASSEMBLY-PRODUCTION-ARBOR-PRESS_W0QQitemZ220349762829QQcmdZViewItemQQptZClamps_Vises?hash=item220349762829&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

I like that Arbor Press idea, but is that 5-1/2" enough room to get the cam & tool in there?

Having the tools and a plate and cam at my bench..I just checked..    total stacked height is 6 3/4 in... minimum

Thanks HV, Just the numbers I was lookin for. Think I'm gonna end up getting the next large size HF model and make the room for it. At least it'll be large enough for many other jobs.

Thanks also to all others with recommendations & suggestions.

Gene

[gaillarry]

Questions about the oven method of removing the cam gear.

Just heat the gear & cam, then knock off the gear with a socket or hammer?

To install the new gear, heat the cam and freeze the gear, and the new gear will slip on??

[FSG]

You could always wing it with some 4x2, threaded rod and a bottle jack.

credit to: a (I don't remember) HTT member

[96FLSTF]

You could always wing it with some 4x2, threaded rod and a bottle jack.

credit to: a (I don't remember) HTT member

Fatboy_SirGarfield
SOLD!

Thanks, I got everything there. Zactly what I'm gonna do.

Gene

[ClassicRider2002]

Sirgarfield....

Do you have a part's list for all of that, and do you know any 20% discount dealers?



Regards,

"Classic"

[FSG]

No offense intended but my library file name of that pic is "afropress1.jpg"

[still_havinfun]

if you have a welder and can get some 5 in. channel you can put together a nice press. i didn't design this one to fit the wheel and tire but lucked out when it came time to do the bearing races