Vice press?

[Gottagotomoz]

Hello all, I have grown interest in compositions and effects that require pressing (rockets, whistles, stars etc.). Although I know my BP rockets can be rammed with a rammer and a mallet, I also realized comps. such as whistle mix cannot. I don't have a hydraulic press though, so would there be any way for me to make something such as whistles without a press? Would it be possible to use a vice and stick a rammer in the tube and just tighten the vice until it's pressed? If you have any suggestions whatsoever, I would really appreciate it. Thanks guys.

[tentacles]

This is possible, but there won't be a lot of consistency in the pressing force. I've pressed BP pucks this way, and I have since built a small wooden press with 4 ton bottle jack. It works much better, and it's useful for other stuff as well.

[Gottagotomoz]

Well, the rockets I can hand ram, and the stars I can pump, but what would be the best way to go about making whistles?

[Mumbles]

Well, for whistle inserts, an arbor press will probably be the fastest and most efficient method. A one ton press will be plenty for 3/8" or 1/2" ID inserts or small rockets For larger whistle rockets, a hydraulic or pneumatic press will probably be the best. With Rockets consistent pressure is key so a standalone load gauge, or tapped press will be needed.

 

You can pick up a cheap arbor press from harbor freight or some other similar tool store. For a press, a cheap bottle jack can be found at the same places, and a sturdy frame made from 2x8 wood will do well. I'd also suggest looking into a blast shield if you wish to make whistle rockets. Polycarbonate plastic is ideal for shatter resistance and visibility, but a thick piece of wood and a mirror will work as well.

[Gottagotomoz]

Ok, so assuming i'll move up to larger rockets, it would probably make sense to buy a press suitable for larger rockets, as it will be more verstatile. Right?

[Mumbles]

Anything over 1/2" I would probably go ahead and get a press for. They are indeed more versatile. They are however over kill and tedious if you're making inserts, or something else small, and large in number, unless you have some sort of gang press.

[Gottagotomoz]

Well then that makes perefect sense. I was planning on making 1/2's on average so it should work out nicely. So would the press from harbor freight be suitable for these so long as I put on a nice sturdy blasting shield?

[Mumbles]

Yep, a 1 ton press should work. The tooling is .1963 insq, and theoretically the tooling can put out 2000 pounds of pressure. This is 10188.5 psi. You need around 8800 psi for whistle rockets.

[invisibleworld]

I agree with mumbles, a cheap press can be picked up at Harbor Frieght. I got a 12 ton standing press for $109.00. I just change the bottle jack $15.00 for the smaller rockets. This Press gives me plenty of room to upgrade to the larger rockets when I become more experienced at it.

[psyco_1322]

I bought Dan Creagans press at the convention, frame, jack, nice stand and everything for $85. Same one as is on his sight. He said he wanted to make a new larger one.