#87402 MicroLux Half-Ton Arbor Press

[ednadolski]

https://www.micromark.com/Deluxe-Ton-Arbor-Press

^^ Is this a good tool, and has anyone used this (or similar) for pressing/removing wheels onto/off axles?   (I used to use a regular drill press, but it would not always come out true.)   Seems this ought to be able to handle scales from N to O.

IIUC NWSL has a similar (smaller) tool, tho not sure if they still sell it.

Thanks,
Ed

[garethashenden]

I haven't used that one, but I have used arbor presses generally. I think they're way too big. They've got plenty of force, but even with the Micro-Mark one you're on your own when it comes to supporting what you're pressing. If you're trying to press a wheel off an axle, I would want to support the back of the wheel and press on the axle. So you need a plate with a slot for the axle to go in. The plate needs to be thin enough to fit between the wheels, but thick enough to withstand the forces on it. You've got at least half an inch of air on either side, and half a ton of force. Its a solvable problem, but you'll want some steel plate supporting your work. Something like 1/8" thick.

The NWSL Sensipress (or Micro-Mark's rip off of it) would probably be better for what you're doing. It doesn't have the same capacity, but the capacity is the problem with this press. This press is also expensive. You can get an arbor press from Harbor Freight or Amazon that will be cheaper and stronger, if that's what you actually need.

[wazzou]

1/2 ton seems like overkill to me.   

[peteski]

Like the Micro mark's description states: It's a monster!
Some time ago I bought the slightly larger Harbor Freight version ( https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-arbor-press-3552.html )and even drilled out the end of the ram to make some sort of adapter for precision tasks (like regauging N scale wheels), but that monster was just too big.

Then I lucked out finding a very nice much smaller arbor press for very little money.  I found it in a electronic surplus store (which has since closed).  That press is perfect size for N scale tasks.  The only identification I found on it is:

The label on it states:
Janesville Tool & MFG, INC.
Milton WI, 53563
608-868-4741
And the side of the press has "1LP 500" molded on it.

[ednadolski]

If you're trying to press a wheel off an axle, I would want to support the back of the wheel and press on the axle. So you need a plate with a slot for the axle to go in. The plate needs to be thin enough to fit between the wheels, but thick enough to withstand the forces on it.

Looks like MMk does have a plate: https://www.micromark.com/V-Plate-for-Press-It-Precision-Arbor-Punch-Press?_ga=2.93179357.1748042474.1650397154-1754063205.1643316588

Seems it can be used with their smaller press too.

Then I lucked out finding a very nice much smaller arbor press for very little money.  I found it in a electronic surplus store (which has since closed).  That press is perfect size for N scale tasks.  The only identification I found on it is:

The label on it states:
Janesville Tool & MFG, INC.
Milton WI, 53563
608-868-4741
And the side of the press has "1LP 500" molded on it.

Something like this?  Doesn't quite seem to line up on the price point tho....  (sounds like you got a really good deal!)

https://www.janesvilletool.com/P/2/model-ilp-500-precision-assembly-press

Ed

[dem34]

Doesn't MM offer a slightly smaller version for desk jobs?

[peteski]

Something like this?  Doesn't quite seem to line up on the price point tho....  (sounds like you got a really good deal!)
https://www.janesvilletool.com/P/2/model-ilp-500-precision-assembly-press

Ed

Looks like you found it Ed!  I'm also surprised at the price, but it is much more precision made than the ones from Harbor Freight or Micro Mark.  I'm also surprised that it is rated for 1/2 ton.  It is a fairly small arbor press.

The place I bought it from, Electronic Surplus Services ( http://esssurplus.com/ website is still there but the store is closed) used to buy out inventory and tools from electronic manufacturers when they went out of business. They always had all sorts of very unusual and one-of pieces of equipment, and lots of electrical and electronic parts.  The prices were also amazingly low.

The arbor press has been modified for whatever product the manufacturer was using it for.  In the photo you can see that part of the right side has been milled away.  It also had a thick aluminum plate with a custom jig on top bolted to the press.  As shown  in my photo, I actually re-purposed that aluminum plate by bolting it to the bottom of the arbor press to create an extra stable base.

I don't think I paid any more than $20 for it.  Yes, I certainly got very lucky finding that arbor press - no question about it.
I think I've seen ESS having a shop set up on eBay, but I'm nto sure if that is still active, and items like that are one-offs.

[woodone]

Wow! $500.00 for one of the less expensive ones.  My Micro-Mart is a little sloppy but it get most of my press work that I need.
I have made many attachments for it to get different work done.  I have less than $50.00 invested.