1. A custom size calculator that will configure the press frame & roller measurements that will fill your needs. Just enter your desired bed width.(Note! The plan pdf file must be opened with Acrobat Reader Free To enable the javascripts required to run the calculator)
2. Internet links that will help you get prices and sources for frame materials , bearings and sprockets. You can use the part descriptions to do your own google search to find parts closer to home if you wish.
3. Full size printout templates (if you need them) Great if you are hand cutting the parts!
4. CNC cut files that have been nested according to thickness of materials. This gives you the best price by avoiding setup fees. You can submit these files to several internet CNC cutting services to get the best cost of cutting your frame parts. The prices you will get in the quote will include materials and shipping. You could also get a local machine shop to quote as well.
5. Roller construction and measurements details for your custom size press. You will need to find a local machine shop that will fabricate the rollers if you are building steel rollers. ( be sure to check out a new solution to wood roller construction at the bottom of this page. You can build these rollers your self)
This small bench press has some mighty features. Large diameter print rollers with mutable drive possibilities - Chain and direct drives. Size can be scaled up to 32 inches -(820 mm) wide bed. Compact enough to easily moved around your studio. The CNC cut files have been optimized for an economical cut. The frame parts are arranged on single sheets according to material thickness to avoid mutable setup charges. You can hand cut the parts using the full size printable template sheet, if you have the right equipment or leave it up to a CNC cutting service, with the included cut files, to do the hard work for you! The plans are in pdf format and include a custom size calculator that you can size the press to one that fits your needs. They can be easily opened in Acrobat Reader (a free download) from adobe. This universal format can be opened on Mac or Windows. Included with the plans are internet link suggestions for various parts and materials needed for building the press. You can use these suggestions to do your own google search for sources closer to home.
Plan Features.....
Up To 32 inch (820 mm) wide press bed with 6 inch (150mm) diameter rollers
Metric Measurement Plan Sets with Imperial calculator
Full Size Printable Templates For All Plans (Hand Building)
Internet Links for parts & materials if needed
Easly get price quotes for press frame parts by submitting the included .dxf, pdf or .stp cut files to various online CNC cutting services or get quotes locally.
Capsule Bench (Wood): $60. Canadian
Designed to be easy to build with flexible size adjustments so you can make it fit your studio space. Increase or decrease the bed size to suit your needs. The greatly reduced frame weight makes it easier to move around. You can mount this press on an existing sturdy bench or build a free standing steel frame bench. If you are not only hansom or pretty, but handy as well, you can use the full size printable templates to hand cut the press frame parts yourself. The only parts you will need a machine shop for are the rollers & tapping threads for the pressure screws.
Plan Features.....
Up To 24 inch (610 mm) wide press bed with 6 inch (150mm) diameter rollers
Metric Measurement Plan Sets with Imperial calculator
Full Size Printable Templates For All Parts (Hand Building)
Internet Links for parts & materials if needed
Easly get price quotes for press wheel parts by submitting the included .dxf cut files to various online CNC cutting services or get quotes locally.
Black Velvet Set: $50. Canadian
This press is the big brother to the Black Velvet Press above it is also designed to be easy to build with flexible size adjustments so you can make it fit your studio space. Increase or decrease the bed size to suit your needs. The greatly reduced frame weight makes it easier to move around. You can mount this press on an existing sturdy bench or build a free standing steel frame bench. If you are not only hansom or pretty, but handy as well, you can use the full size printable templates to hand cut the press frame parts yourself. The only parts you will need a machine shop for are the rollers & tapping threads for the pressure screws. Or use the wood roller construction method available at the bottom of this page to build your own!
Plan Features.....
Up To 34 inch (860mm) wide press bed with 6 inch to 10 inch (150 mm to 250 mm) diameter rollers
Metric Measurement Plan Sets with Imperial calculator
Full Size Printable Templates For All Frame Parts (Hand Building)
Internet Links for parts & materials if needed
Easly get price quotes for press Wheel parts by submitting the included .dxf or .stp cut files to various online CNC cutting services or get quotes locally.
Orangeman Press Set: $65. Canadian
(Small Bench Press Direct Drive)
more info........
Small Bench Press Plan Set This small bench press is ideal for small studio spaces. Recommended bed widths 12 inch to 15 inches. If you pull small plates this is a real workhorse with the added feature of portability. It is a much more robust press than you will find commercially available at large art supply stores and you can build it for less!
The CNC cut files have been optimized for an economical cut. The frame parts are arranged on single sheets according to material thickness to avoid mutable setup charges. You can hand cut the parts using the full size printable template sheet, if you have the right equipment or leave it up to a CNC cutting service, with the included cut files, to do the hard work for you! The plans are in pdf format and include a custom size calculator that you can size the press to one that fits your needs. They can be easily opened in Acrobat Reader (a free download) from adobe. This universal format can be opened on Mac or Windows. Included with the plans are internet link suggestions for various parts and materials needed for building the press. You can use these suggestions to do your own google search for sources closer to home.
Plan Features.....
Up To 15 inch (380mm) wide press bed
Metric Measurement Plan Sets with Imperial calculator
Full Size Printable Templates For All Plans (Hand Building)
Internet Links for parts & materials if needed
Easly get price quotes for press frame parts by submitting the included .dxf cut files to various online CNC cutting services or get quotes locally.
Small Bench Press Set: $30. Canadian
(Medium Bench Press Chain/Direct Drive)
more info........
Medium Size Bench Press A great all-around press with flexible size adjustments so you can make it fit your studio space. Increase or decrease the bed size to suit your needs. The greatly reduced frame weight makes it easier to move around and the attached CNC cut files make it possible to have all the frame parts cut on a CNC cutting machine. You can mount this press on an existing sturdy bench or build a free-standing steel frame bench. If you are not only handsome but handy as well you can use the full-size printable templates to hand-cut the press frame parts yourself.
Plan Features.....
Up To 32 inch (813mm) wide press bed
Metric Measurement Plan Sets with Imperial calculator
Full Size Printable Templates For All Frame Parts (Hand Building)
Internet Links for parts & materials if needed
Easly get price quotes for press frame parts by submitting the included .dxf cut files to various online CNC cutting services or get quotes locally.
Medium Studio Press Set: $45. Canadian
I'm Celebrating my 55th anniversary since I first started work on this project!
Want a complete set of all the plans....
Plus +
You can order them here and save 40%.
You get all the plan sets in one download.
All 6 Press Plan Sets: $165. Canadian
(Total individual cost 6 plan sets $275.)
I am working on a number of plan sets that can help you in building that press. This section is where I will post them when they are complete.
A fascinating approach for building rollers!
Build a roller lathe jig that mounts on a table saw to accurately turn hardwood rollers with a fixed shaft can indeed be a cost-effective and efficient alternative to using steel rollers. Here are a few benefits of this method:
1. Cost Reduction: By using hardwood instead of steel, you can significantly reduce the material cost of the rollers. Hardwood is generally more affordable and easier to source compared to steel.
2. Labor Efficiency: With a well-designed roller jig, the process of turning wooden rollers on a table saw can be streamlined and efficient. This can save time and reduce labor costs compared to sourcing and purchasing pre-made steel rollers.
3. Customizability: Making your own wooden rollers allows for customization, such as choosing the specific hardwood and dimensions that best suit your needs. This flexibility can be advantageous in terms of functionality and aesthetics.
4. Availability: Steel rollers may sometimes be challenging to find or have longer lead times. By making your own wooden rollers using the table saw jig, you can have greater control over the availability of the roller components.
Wood Rollers Plan Sets: $25. Canadian
Comming Soon!
I am currently working on a way to build a Wood
Turned Wheel
A fascinating approach for building a wood wheel!
Build a spoke lathe jig that mounts on a table saw to accurately turn hardwood wheel spokes. Here are a few benefits of this method:
1. Cost Reduction: By using hardwood instead of steel, you can significantly reduce the material & labour cost of a wheel. Hardwood is generally more affordable and easier to source compared to steel CNC cut.
2. Labor Efficiency: With a well-designed spoke lathe jig, the process of turning wooden spokes on a table saw can be streamlined and efficient. This can save time and reduce labor costs compared to sourcing and purchasing pre-made steel wheels..
3. Customizability: Making your own wooden wheel allows for customization, such as choosing the specific hardwood and dimensions that best suit your needs. This flexibility can be advantageous in terms of functionality and aesthetics.
4. Availability: Steel wheels may sometimes be challenging to find or have longer lead times. By making your own wooden wheel using the table saw jig, you can have greater control over the availability of the roller components.
A Work In Progress - currently working on a way to build large diameter inking rollers.
