Shopsmith Forums

Has anyone tried that nifty trick of using a bottle jack to lift the drill press table? Lat week I bought the smallest, cheapest bottle jack they had at Harbor Freight. Took it back the next day.

Although I thought this would be the 'cat's meow' especially in conjunction with the OPR, I found out that the minimum 7"+ size is too big for me. That puts the table up at about 42". Maybe I'm too used to a lot lower table. If I were 6 foot something it would be good.

Don't fret about buying one of these from HF. A little more Internet shopping showed all bottle jacks are made in China.

I found a screw jack that looks like a bottle jack. Hadn't seen one of these since the 60s. Since it is only $6.66 at Home Depot, I'm tempted. But it still seems too high.

What about the screw-type scissor-jack (that come with most imported japanese cars) - when fully collapsed are only about 2 inches high, and reach upto 12" or so. May be that might help? Gotta have them in auto wreckers.

Regards
Sandy

I set mine on a 4x4 block and use the center screw to obtain vrs. heights.

Bob

charlese; is 42" to the top of the main table in the drill press mode?

I have tried the scissor type but found I had better control with the bottle jack.

Bob

[quote="dusty"]charlese]
About 42 inches was the height above the floor of the OPR table and sliding table. These two tables add 2 inches to the height of the main table. I found this to be a usable maximum height, but not a usable minimum height. The bottle jack from HF was 7 13/16" minimum height. I added two wood pieces to that height. A base and a top. (Photos below)

The reason I thought a base and top were necessary is because of the casting lines in the Base Arm (518381). Although I'm now sure that part is not cracked, I thought a wider wood base and top would spread out the pressure on those thin cast aluminum parts. (Base Arm and Carriage). The casting lines on the base arm had me spooked, until I filed a scratch and checked with a 5 power lens.

Below are two snaps of the base arm - one of the pads I made - and one of my present lift stabilizer blocks (3 1/2" + 1 ")

A shorter bottle jack about 4 inches high would be wonderful. Don't know if they make them that short. I had thought of a scissor jack, and how to make wood pads for one, but am held off (so far) by the long scissor arms. My mind is now thinking of a way to make wooden screws that will serve as a jack. Hmmmm!

What I am looking for is a way to load the OPR on the table, with the headstock about a foot away from the left end of the way tubes. This way the unit is pretty 'liftable' without an assist. Once up to vertical position, then to be able to slightly adjust the table, although not necessary, might be cool!

Just to satisfy your curiosity, you can buy bottle jacks as short as 2-1/2". You have to win the lottery to afford them, but they are available: http://www.hyjacks.com/H21.HTM

With all good wishes,

Nick wrote:Just to satisfy your curiosity, you can buy bottle jacks as short as 2-1/2". You have to win the lottery to afford them, but they are available: http://www.hyjacks.com/H21.HTM

With all good wishes,

I wood spend the money for these Made In Japan jacks rather then support China.

charlese wrote:Has anyone tried that nifty trick of using a bottle jack to lift the drill press table? Lat week I bought the smallest, cheapest bottle jack they had at Harbor Freight. Took it back the next day.

Although I thought this would be the 'cat's meow' especially in conjunction with the OPR, I found out that the minimum 7"+ size is too big for me. That puts the table up at about 42". Maybe I'm too used to a lot lower table. If I were 6 foot something it would be good.

Don't fret about buying one of these from HF. A little more Internet shopping showed all bottle jacks are made in China.

I found a screw jack that looks like a bottle jack. Hadn't seen one of these since the 60s. Since it is only $6.66 at Home Depot, I'm tempted. But it still seems too high.

Hey Chuck,
Check this Internet site out: http://www.google.com/products?q=US+made+bottle+jacks&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBF&um=1&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title According to my search requirements, lots of US made bottle jacks ( I have not verified the source, but if I were shopping for one, I wood!). I favor Blackhawk Hydraulic bottle jacks myself, and I am trying to find out if they are still made in the USA. I will let you know!

You might want to research these folks:

http://www.business.com/directory/industrial_goods_and_services/machinery_and_tools/hein-werner_corporation/profile/

I recommend Werner ladders too but that might be a different Werner..