Vintage Homemade Crystal Press.............refurbished.

[Geo]

I purchased a cheap Chinese crystal press when I took up watch repairing/refurbishing a few years ago, this was one of the lever operated type with nylon dies. This has served me very well, but there are some jobs that a screw type of press is far better for because of the more sensitive control.

Being a canny Scot, I kept an eye on eBay for a second hand Robur or Horotec and stumbled across this antique home made press for £14 delivered.

The engineer in me immediately saw the potential, all it needed was stripped down, modified to take new dies and repainted.

The other thing that was required was a set of new aluminium dies, so after a search on AliExpress I purchased these for £26 delivered from China.

Right, down to business.

(1) Modify the lower die holder to accept the 6mm threaded alloy dies.

(2) Make an adaptor to fit the bottom of the ram with a 6mm thread to take the dies.

(3) Machine the lower end of the pillar to give clearance for the largest die.

(4) Accurise the dies to ensure that the faces are parallel. Many were slightly out of truth.

(5) Remove paint and rust from press, paint and polish.

(6) Reassemble.

Total cost of complete set £40.................well pleased!

[bobm12]

That is a cracking job Geo, you are a master at restoring! I particularly like what you did to the press and trueing the dies!

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[ro63rto]

Fantastic restoration Geo.

What paint did you use?

[clockboy]

Your a canny lad Geo make me one PLEASE.  Great job done.

 

 

PS didn't know you had a lathe. Wish I had room for one

[SSTEEL]

Great job, impressive :)

[Geo]

What paint did you use?

I used Plasikote BBQ paint. It gives a nice satin lustre finish, and when cured in the oven gives a finish that is durable and impervious to most oils and solvents.

http://www.plasti-kote.co.uk/Product/pcode---7344/pccode---3621

[ro63rto]

I used Plasikote BBQ paint. It gives a nice satin lustre finish, and when cured in the oven gives a finish that is durable and impervious to most oils and solvents.

http://www.plasti-kote.co.uk/Product/pcode---7344/pccode---3621

Thanks.

I've used Plastikote before but its disappeared from my local Hallfords and Homebase.

[Geo]

PS didn't know you had a lathe. Wish I had room for one

Wouldn't be without it CB, I also have a lightweight milling machine. I put together a machine shop when I was building target pistols many years ago, now it so handy for both my motorcycle and horology interests.

[Mark]

Absolutely tremendous job Geo!!

 

The press looks fantastic.

[JimInOz]

Wow, nice job mate. Some well developed skills evident there.

 

And I'm very envious of your Colchester.

[clockboy]

Wouldn't be without it CB, I also have a lightweight milling machine. I put together a machine shop when I was building target pistols many years ago, now it so handy for both my motorcycle and horology interests.

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Really nice set up Geo. 

[bobm12]

Geo that's an amazing shop! I have no words and enjoying the view tremendously!

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[Don]

Amazing work! Giving new life to an old tool AND saving money. Most of my money saving projects end up in the red. :rolleyes:

[Andyclient]

Wow Geo thats amazing , first class job you've done there , well done indeed

[chadders1966]

Looks great Geo, nice work. It reminds me that I bought a press very similar to yours meaning to convert it to take various dies I already have. You've inspired me to have another look at it, although I'll have to try and figure out a way to do it without the use of any similar equipment :). Not that easy when you're not particularly mechanically minded! Thanks for sharing.

Stephen

[frenchie]

This really is amazing Geo !!

[Blacklab]

Very nice set-up. Couldn't help noticing the tiles on the wall is it the kitchen or the bathroom? :)

[Geo]

Very nice set-up. Couldn't help noticing the tiles on the wall is it the kitchen or the bathroom? :)

Thanks for the kind comment BL. It was a kitchen some time in the past.

[tonystime]

That looks amazing, good job.