On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 13:28:11 -0500, "Daniel A. Mitchell"
wrote:

I second the usefulness of the chuck on the end of the press ram. I did
very similar, but instead of threading into the end of the ram, I made a
hollow square 'shoe' that fits over the end of the ram, and mounts the
chuck. My ram was already drilled and tapped crosswise, and I didn't
want to drill too many holes in the end of the ram. Fortunately, I found
a piece of square aluminum tube that JUST fits over my ram. I just cut
off a slice of the tube and added an internal steel plate at one end to
make it into a sort of square 'cup'. The plate was drilled to mount the
chuck. Just slide it over the end of the ram, insert the cross screw,
and it's ready to use. It works well.

The chuck is useful for holding smaller pin punches and such, when
pressing or riveting. The chuck jaws don't take the force, just hold the
punch vertical and centered. The forces are transmitted up the punch to
the solid back of the chuck, to the 'shoe', and hence to the end of the
ram. All pure compressive forces.

It's a good use for an old chuck, perhaps one that doesn't hold or
center well anymore.


Ahah! I've leaned something useful. Thank you for the explanation.


Mark Rand
RTFM