Projects built a louver press...

NICE!!!

But for complete stupid-*** *****s like me, please give a close up of the jig, what it looks like, how it's mounted, etc.

I see and understand the whole concept of the frame, reducing flex by using gussets, etc, but what does the business end of the punch look like? Were you able to just bolt it in, or did you have to build a mount, what does it look like, etc.

Sorry if I'm being a pain in the ***, but this is all new to me...

Thanks...

Chris

 

Oh dang!!!!

 

cool

 

And where did you get the dies? (price)--chuck

 

Nice job Kenny!!!!

 

Looks great

Good thing you added the piece to the top for strength and flex. Been punchin louvers for over 30 years and you cant believe how much that thing will flex. Makes all the difference wheather you leave a good clean louver or a ragged one that needs to be sanded on. Keep up the good work..

 

anything thing else you are holding out on us? nice work

 

Very nice work and some resourceful use of salvaged material. I'm envious of anyone with that much shop space.

By the way, the coupe is pretty damn cool as well!

 

A great use of the steel, very cool. What did the dies run you?? I've always wanted to build a louvre press, was considering getting dies for my bead roller but don't know anyone who can vouch on how well bead roller louver dies work or don't?? Anyone on here use a set on a bead roller??

 

Well I'm impressed. I really like how you tied it into the ceiling, genius.

X2 on the close up of the head

 

here is a beautiful tool

 

When we got mine home we used my cherryy picker. But, we had separated the top section from the bottom when we loaded it. You might take the tailgate off your truck
And strap a cherry picker with fold up legs (like the 2 ton from harbor freighy)into the
bed with the legs folded up and lift the top section from the bottom and then
the bottom out. Be sure to place the bottom where you want
it to stay and level it before installing the top and zeroing it in. Good luck.

 

I like your idea of bolting the louver press to the buiding I beams. However, if that building settles (ie; you use a 3 ton chain fall on the main beam to lift that Bridgeport) the least bit it may throw your press off and even .020 could make a difference in your settings. Check your die clearances closely prior to starting each louver job! Of course I'm in earthquake prone Socal, so I'm used to seeing cracked slabs, etc. from earth movement.

 

To remove the mill, just wondering if you have someone in town who will let you use thier forklift. It does not need to be a large one.
Moved one myself with a forklift and you lift it from under the throat. If you find a lift, let me know and I'll give you the "it worked for me"

 

Very nice work !!!

 

That's normal procedure regardless. Doesn't matter where you are. Always check alignment before the first punch.

 

Very nice job. I'm impressed.

I've taken a mill off a trailer just like you're about to ... the picker is what was used. Be very careful 2K pounds does not like to be cooprative.

PACO

 

Kid:
On the Bridgeport. Before you move it make sure to drop the knee all the way down and flip the head 180 (spindle up). If you do this remove the drawbar.This greatly helps to lower the CG.
If you use the eyebolt hole (Its in top of ram) you can use the y adjustment of ram to move in and out a bit to be able to pick BP fairly level.
Pick up a bit. LOWER and adjust. repeat as necessary. Do not try to adust the ram when its lifted.Make sure the gibb screws on the ram are re tightened before you lift.
The "J's" were about 1900ish lbs.
I see that it had a X powerfeed at one time. Or did you get it on side?
Either way the leadscrew is longer for the ability of having PF. You cant just get one of those cheapo Servo type feeds and bolt it on. They were made to use in place of existing manual lead screw saddle. There is a couple of ways to do this.
I have a older J manual if you want a copy.
Looks great . If I can be of ***istance give me a PM. have been using BP's for over 35 years.
Not trying to be an ***. I do not know your experience with the machine and just spouting off some quick info.
Best to you
Luke

 

Thanks for all the advice on the Bridgeport. Any input is definitely appreciated.


yeh, it had this on it...came with it..

 

Here's how it works.

 

Excellent. Its the old original gearbox feed. But its better then nothing. Having a PF on your BP is a great to have. Can see someone fabbed some new knobs for it.
The top lever is for to engage the feed left-right . Center detent neutral. Bottom lever is to change feed rate. Similar to a lathe feed gearbox. the knob on right or closest to camera view is for High and low speed. With this box its usually easiest to change the speeds with it engaged. No synchros.... just easy do not just jam it in gear. Common problem with these is the gears break inside. they are just cast. Does not mean its a total loss, just means some speeds might not work. Also they are heavy. When you go to extremes to the right on X axis it actually levers the Table and it gets harder to turn the X axis hand wheel. This is made worse by the wear on the ways, there adjustment and the Table length.
Ben awhile but think the motor was 3 phase as main motor.
Keep your eyes open. Back in 80's when controlled retrofits became popular. The X axis power feed was replaced by the servo. So there was a plethora of BP power feeds tossed aside. These were the Electronic variable speed units. Very nice and lighter also. keep your eyes on CL or ask around any of your machining buddies. They pop up time to time.
That Louver punch you made is very nice. That will sure be nice to have.
take care
Luke

 

Bridgeport weighs 1 ton. Have someone help you remove the swivel head so it is not top heavy.(4 bolts) or swivel it down and raise knee with a block of wood tween table and head. There is a 1/2" tapped hole on the ram to pick the whole thing up with an eye bolt. use crane or HD engine hoist. We move many of these, but remove the head or swivel head upside down . safer that way.



Ago

 

I did a little more to strengthen it up some...

 

more reinforcement on the c-throat...

 

and I put anchors in the concrete to bolt it down...

 

I realy dig the crusty old 5 winder...Looks very cool.

 

Nice job dude good for you.