Craftsmen superior / C&P Pilot
I recently bought a Craftsmen Superior press and, since I am very inexperienced (my first press) I didn’t notice there was something wrong with the arm. When I started testing it, the arm wasn’t working. Now I know it’s aN arm for a Pilot instead of a Craftsmen and I can’t find a way to make it work.
Does anybody know if there’s a way to make it work or where I could find the correct arm for it? I’m located in Houston, TX
Thank you!
So Crafty,
Your issues is not clear. Can you send pictures? If the arm fits on the shaft, there may be a key, (a simple piece of metal) that slides in a slot between the shaft and the arm to keep it from spinning. If this is the case a key can typically be purchased in a local hardware store and its an easy fix.
Send pix,
Steve V.
So Crafty,
Your issues is not clear. Can you send pictures? If the arm fits on the shaft, there may be a key, (a simple piece of metal) that slides in a slot between the shaft and the arm to keep it from spinning. If this is the case a key can typically be purchased in a local hardware store and its an easy fix.
Send pix,
Steve V.
An old series Pilot does not have a key into the arm shaft. Instead, it has a square-headed bolt with a cone point which fits into a pocket in the shaft. If not clear tight, this may loosen to the point where the arm goes, but the press doesn’t. See how the arm is attached and start from there.
Frank.
Furthering what Frank mentioned above: if this bolt is loose it will also eventually cut a nasty channel in the arm shaft. This makes tightening the bolt that much more difficult.
Bradley
If it is just a screw on a hole, you can put it in position and drill it a bit deeper.
Having swapped a Craftsmen lever for a Pilot, the slot for the key is in a different place (radially) on the shaft, so that it would hit the table before the press closed on impression. I was able to take my lever to a machinist to have the keyway broached in the proper spot to fit. Just mark where you want it and measure the key slot in the shaft it needs to fit. It was not an expensive proposition.
John H
Cedar Creek Press