Round vs square arbor press rams

Just a Sparky

Hot Rolled

Joined

May 2, 2020

Location

Minnesota

• May 15, 2021

• #1

Just a little bit of curiosity going on here. I've got an old 3 ton Greenerd arbor press with a round ram in it. Most other press manufacturers use square rams.

Are there any particular reasons that come to mind which might make one design preferable to the other? Did the engineers just shrug their shoulders and say; "Eh, let's make it round!" ?

Mind you Greenerd has been using the round ram design since the 1890's. Is it just a habitual thing that has stuck around with them to this day?

 

A

atomarc

Diamond

Joined

Mar 16, 2009

Location

Eureka, CA

• May 15, 2021

• #2

It certainly seems like it's easier from a design and manufacturing standpoint to make a square ram press than a round ram style. A simple square 'rack' and a simple square hole for said rack versus a lot of fiddling to cast and machine a round hole and cut a rack on the back of a round bar. These are merely non-professional observations.

Stuart

 

WizardOfBoz

Diamond

Joined

Sep 30, 2006

Location

SE PA, Philly

• May 15, 2021

• #3

Probably 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Making a square hole vs a round one - harder (do they use a broach?). Making a square ram vs a round one - easier (? but holding the round ram to cut teeth might be harder. Interesting question.

 

J

jwearing

Hot Rolled

Joined

Aug 26, 2017

• May 15, 2021

• #4

The teeth in the round rams are on the centerline of the ram, so the force is applied more directly downwards.

On the other hand, the square rams have gibs that can be adjusted to take up wear.

But the most important factor is: Which one is available locally for a decent price?

 

J

James H Clark

Stainless

Joined

May 11, 2011

Location

southern in.

• May 15, 2021

• #5

Greenerd has been well respected for many years, so they must be doing something right.
JH

 

kevin johnson

Cast Iron

Joined

Feb 14, 2008

Location

lone jack mo

• May 15, 2021

• #6

I have one of each. I bought a Dake 1 1/2B with a square ram. A friend of mine wanted to use it, so it’s never been home yet. Another friend gave me the main casting for a Sheldon #3. It was recovered from a pile of junk. No other parts were recovered. I made enough parts to make it a ratcheting press. I didn’t make the ratchet wheel nor the hand wheel. Hand wheel is off a Cincinnati mill that was scrapped. Ratchet was a rejected part the friend had laying around. Cut the teeth on ram with my shaper. No problem.
Sorry for sideways pic.

 

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gbent

Diamond

Joined

Mar 14, 2005

Location

Kansas

• May 15, 2021

• #7

Good shooting!

 

B

Bill D

Diamond

Joined

Apr 1, 2004

Location

Modesto, CA USA

• May 15, 2021

• #8

If square was easier to cut teeth into drillpress and milling machine quills would not be round.
Bill D

 

A

atomarc

Diamond

Joined

Mar 16, 2009

Location

Eureka, CA

• May 15, 2021

• #9

Bill D said:

If square was easier to cut teeth into drillpress and milling machine quills would not be round.
Bill D

Click to expand...

You're comparing apples to oranges...think about it!

Stuart

 

morsetaper2

Diamond

Joined

Jul 2, 2002

Location

Gaithersburg, MD USA

• May 16, 2021

• #10

jwearing said:

The teeth in the round rams are on the centerline of the ram, so the force is applied more directly downwards.

On the other hand, the square rams have gibs that can be adjusted to take up wear.

But the most important factor is: Which one is available locally for a decent price?

Click to expand...

I was going to make this comment (re: centerline) as well. But on an arbor press how much does that really matter? An arbor press is a rather crude (non-precision) tool.

And your comment about what's available at the right price is dead on.