Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Grizzly Press
EagleS.C.
>A while back someone posted a thread about a press close out at Grizzly.
My first box arrived without the press in it.
Reshipment came O.K.
Whoever posted teh heads up on the press Thanks a lot!
This sure beats pressing them together with a Bessy clamp.
I'd be interested in seeing how anyone else set theirs up.
I was contemplating a turret system like my P.C. 690 plunge,but this was quicker.
Re: Grizzly Press
Fred in NC
>Eagle:
Glad you like it. I was the original poster. I have not finished seting mine up yet, which is not a problem for me since I have another homemade pen press in use. I will post pics soon.
Fred
Re: Grizzly Press
Guest
>What's the real difference between using this machine and just using a drillpress to press the parts together? Personally, I just use the small benchtop drillpress to cut to length; drill the holes; barrell-trim and press the pens together. I suppose I could even turn the pens on the drillpress as well. ha! But, of course, I don't.
Wondering what this machine does that a drillpress doesn't.
Re: Grizzly Press
EagleS.C.
>Nothing really
I keep my kits in the house.Drill press in the shop.
It saves from having to change from bits to rams and bases.
To be honest you could use a lathe to press the pens together.
To each his own.
Convenience !
Fred in NC
>When I am making pens I keep my drill press setup with the proper drill and a self-centering vise in it. Saves time, that is all!
Re: Grizzly Press
RonZ
>I use an old drill press for my pens but this would be easier to carry for demos.
Portable ?
Fred in NC
>Yes, if you don't mind aboout 20 lbs. The column seems to be solid steel !!
Re: Portable ?
RonZ
>I thought it was a hollow column lik emy drill press. Oh well, scratch that off my 'to buy' list.=o)
Re: Grizzly Press
Guest
>Ahh, ok. I have a quick change attachment on that drillpress so that I can simply pull each of the cutter, bit, barrel trimmer and press ram attachments off and on in a second when I need the other. It saves space at shows to just have a couple of machines (drillpress and lathe) and a few tools instead of lugging everything else around.
I can see the point about not wanting to take the drillpress in the house with you though. ha!
Re: Portable ?
EagleS.C.
>Like isaid to each his own.
This is certaily worth$20.00 shipping included.
It also beats a Bessy clamp.
Re: Grizzly Press
Rodney Jenkins
>Nicely done innovation!
If you've got the space, you can't beat having a dedicated piece of equipment to speed up the process as well as make it more efficient; lot less likely to have alignment problems with that setup.
Re: Portable ?
RonZ
>I'm not knocking it, it's the best for the price if not even better. I'm searching for the pen grail, a pen press that works but is light.
Re: Grizzly Press
Dick Parr
>Thank you for this post. I just order one which will allow me to leave it set up for pens and let me use my drill press for drilling.
My original pen press
Fred in NC
>was made from a DRILL STAND that I bought at a garage sale. Being made of aluminum it is much lighter. The column is hollow steel, and can be cut a bit shorter.
I have found that it is a lot easier to align the parts with a vertical press. I ruined a few pens using a vise.
Hope this helps.
Portable pen press grail
Fred in NC
>Just had an idea....
A bar clamp does a decent job as a pen press, the main problem being that it is hand held. It is hard to juggle the parts in mid air.
I just went to my shop and looked at a quick clamp like this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46806
It would be very easy to mount this clamp on a base, making it vertical, with the ratchet part on top AND TO ONE SIDE, which makes it easier to operate.
Hope this helps !
Re: Portable pen press grail
EagleS.C.
>My original press was a Bessy K-body.
This Grizzly press has it beaten hands down.
Re: Portable pen press grail
Fred in NC
>Eagle:
I am the original poster of the link to Grizzly, which I posted after I bought and received the press. It is a heavy duty press, and I love it. However, I would not be inclined to carry it around becasue of the weight.
The post you answered was directed to RonZ, who wants a LIGHTWEIGHT press to carry around. My idea was to make a base for it so it stands up vertically, and it easier to use without fumbling and damaging the pens.
Please read the previous post by RonZ so you can understand the thread, ok ?
I hope you enjoy the Grizzly as much as I do !!
Best regards,
Fred in NC
Re: Portable pen press grail
EagleS.C.
>Fred-
Nix of the quck clap for two reasons.
1. they won't nold up.Maybe a better brand but I used one exactly like that and it just plumb wore out after less than 20 pens.(DAMHIKT)
2.No control in regards to the amount of"travel" it doesn't "slide" uniformly.
Not trying to nix the idea finding a light weight poratable press for shows.and I'm not saying that clamp won't press a pen together just that a clamp with a screw mechanism would be better.Something with more torque that a Bessy K-body. THe handle is too small to use comfortably
Re: Grizzly Press
Phil Winn
>works great!
Re: Grizzly Press
Dick Parr
>Got my press today. Got to love that Grizzly on the speed of their delivery. It's a heavy little unit and does seem like it will do the job well, and for $20 you can't beat it.
Dick
So Fred...
DW
>... you gonna ask Grizz for a commish on all the units you helped um sell? Best $20 tool I ever bought! You da bomb! (I think that's what they say today...)
DW