This is a 1 ton arbor press that was modified by Ed Street and also my dad. It uses aluminum plates.
It’s a DIY version of the Never Knead polymer clay press.
If you want to make your own, the folks at Never Knead now sell a parts kit to modify your 1/2 ton arbor press (like from Harbor Freight) to be a Never Knead.
I just got a beer bottle capping machine, very similar, very little change needed and works great.
Would you share the process/dimensions of the modifications you added? I just purchased a 1 ton arbor press and would like some advice on converting it for polymer clay. Thank you!
The aluminum plates and the ratchet modification were done by Ed Street. You can contact him for more information.
Thank you. I’ve messaged him….
oooo, if this will avoid driving over old polymer or smashing it with a maul, count me in. Does it work like a drill press and come down and give the little Beelzebub a good whacking so show who really is the boss?
Yes, the handle brings the ram down, pressing the top plate into the clay. It is good for slow, firm flattening. It really works well to make hard, crumbly clay behave itself.
Love it!! More details soon?
Ha! You’ve found a hidden page. 🙂 I haven’t really decided how to write about this yet. Ed Street helped me build this, but it does take access to a shop and tools to make happen.