Built me a louver press.... and it works!

Big Earl.... I would consider a 3" louver a pretty standard size hot rod louver. However, over the last year or 2 I have eyeballed alot of louvers to figure out how I wanted mine to turn out and I came to the conclusion there is no such thing as a standard size. Louver shapes and styles vary a lot! I decided I wanted a full, curved louver and the final size is 2 3/4 x 7/8 x 5/16.

 

Do you have a picture of the male die? Great work by the way, very impressive!

 

Kev, that thing looks awesome - great job on the build.

It's just my $.02, but I'd adjust the ram upward a bit so that it doesn't bottom out (probably the source of the frame flex). You might be able to set it so that there is a gap between the tools equal to the thickness of the piece you are louvering. Also, if you want other tooling, I know a guy that can whip some up. He's in Pittsburgh and runs a great tool and die shop. I used to use him for a lot of things.

By the way, I am not an expert, but I did spend about 10 years listening to engineers and designers talk about press tooling (we made carbide inserts). Great job again and it sounds like you have another full time job punching louvers!

 

Wildfire........ You are right. I will probably put some kind of microswitch on the ram sometime. It's not really a problem though, I have plenty of control with the foot pedal. It does't come down very fast and the pedal controls the up and down motion.

 

And now thanks to you, so did I!

 

BIG EARL.....here's a pic showing the male die.

 

MCQUEEN.......Here's a side view of the chop.

 

Hey, thanks a lot ! That'll look badass. You don't see many hard chopped.

Not to hijack but I was just starting on mine also. 5" chop is a hella more work than 3" huh ? I can send some pics if you're interested.

 

MCQUEEN.... Start a thread showing your chop, I think alot of people would like to follow along.

 

hey Kev. i already told you how friggin AWESOME that press look but i'll say it again. AWESOME!!!

i was talkin to Skratch at the Pile Up and i mentioned the job he did on that thing. he mentioned some story about you and a young guy who grew up to be a hot rod legend. GREAT story. confirms what i've always heard about the guy too.

 

BTTT I'll say it again just fricken cool!!

 

Its Awesome To See Tools That Look That Nice!!!you Did A Superb Job!!!

 

awsome

 

awsome job on the tool, that garage looks like a great place to work and hang out

 

I'm jealous. Nice very nice

 

Kiwi Kev, I want to someday shake your hand and buy you a beer!

 

All I can say is WOW...nice work....nice end product too...the trunk deck looks great...

 

And to make it perfect, it has a Scroungers plaque!
Damn nice looking louvers man!

 

continetaljohn, glad you brought this back up. that is amazing to turn an old wore out band saw into a tool that is a work of art. love to have that sittin in my shop. Very impresive work Kiwi Kev. I know where there is a bunch of old industrial tools and now I'm going to have to go check em out.

 

I'll second that!!

 

That's got to be the coolest thing I've seen in a long time! Very nice, thanks for sharing!

 

I missed this the first time around. Awsome creation! There's even a place to hold your Sharpie

Flatman

 

You know I have been looking for one of these old bandsaws since I saw this. I am thinking it may be one of a kind louver press..

 

Since this thread popped up again, I'll post a few more pics of it in use...........

 

Mighty fine piece o' work there.
Fuzz

 

Dude, you are totally like McGyver but without all of the unnecessary fanfare from Marge Simpson's sisters. Your garage should be registered with travel agents as a vacation destination. You rule.

 

now that is one cool hood

 

Louver schmover, I just want all your signs and junk!

 

talent,pure talent..........now must find parts,money,and time for one myself.

 

I looked for a good two or three months before I finally just built a frame...


Kev's is badass....