Using a hydraulic press to assemble cases ?

[Magic_Man]

I know most all of us use the heat method or pulling tools to assemble our lower case halves. Is there any reason why we can't use a press ? i prefer the heat method myself, but also have a press at hand. Was thinking about using it on my buddies China kit saw since the seals are usually already in the case halves. Any suggestions ? Or just tell him to buy seals and knock these ones out of the way.

 

[dall]

jon you can use a press but take your time and make sure it goes in straight heat is a little better option though

 

[Magic_Man]

jon you can use a press but take your time and make sure it goes in straight heat is a little better option though

Thanks Dallas, I also can see where it would be easy to bend a crank from over pressing. Heat is always my go to, just looking at other ideas.

 

[Termitebuffet]

Thanks Dallas, I also can see where it would be easy to bend a crank from over pressing. Heat is always my go to, just looking at other ideas.

Im fairly certain the case/or cases will bust before crank bends....

 

[Magic_Man]

Im fairly certain the case/or cases will bust before crank bends....

We are talking about a Chinese crank lol , I understand what you are saying though.

 

[Chainsaw Jim]

Use long screws to pull it together if you want to save the seals.

 

[Stump Shot]

I think in one of @afleetcommand videos he said the cranks were beveled and the seals slid by fine, I think he assembled them every which way under the sun also. Maybe watch his YouTube video or possibly Walt himself can chime in here. He is the Chinese 660 Master.

 

[Deets066]

I've used a press before, it works fine

 

[Mattyo]

No presses..no heat....no hammers.

Knock those stupid seals out and do them proper

 

[Deets066]

Your crank tool works good, but that doesn't mean it's the only proper way to do it.

 

[Mattyo]

Just means it's the easiest and safest and most reliable... but yes...you can do it with a press. .or hot cold. I just got tired if doing it that way and getting stuck or getting something buggard.

 

[Mattyo]

Btw..for the record deets...you make the best sounding saws I've ever heard...no disrespect intended

 

[Deets066]

Btw..for the record deets...you make the best sounding saws I've ever heard...no disrespect intended

None taken Matty

 

[Mattyo]

To the op...you can watch Walt do this with his fireplace on his youtube channel....afleetcommand. or...you can watch me do it on mine. I just got a load of China saws I'll be video ing. Soon.

 

[Al Smith]

Keep in mind you are dealing for the most part with ball bearings .If you press on the wrong bearing race during assembly you take a chance of damaging the balls .It won't last long .The procedure right from the Stihl manual is heat .All you need is a heat gun and a little patience,it's not a race to see how fast you can do it .

 

[Deets066]

I put the bearings in the freezer and warm the case up with a gun a little. Start it straight in the pocket and you hardly need any pressure with the press

 

[drf256]

It is amazing what heat will do.

If I use the C type Husky case splitter on disassembly, the bearings stay in the case. If I use heat, the case falls apart, literally, if you knock the pins out. The bearings stay on the crank and have to be pulled off.

I do what Deets does. I'm still amazed at how the bearing drop in loosely with the temp difference.

I bet you could freeze your bearings and warm you case halves near 300 in a toaster oven without burning the seals.

 

[Magic_Man]

I put the bearings in the freezer and warm the case up with a gun a little. Start it straight in the pocket and you hardly need any pressure with the press

Kind of what I was thinking, just a little heat to help,things get started. Thanks Deets

 

[Mattyo]

but in the case of the these china saws, the seals are already installed. I know guys do it successfully, but putting the crank through the bearing AND seal at the same time you run the risk of inverting the rubber seal and then having that stupid circular spring pop out. if that happens, you won't know it until you do a vac test. whatever way you put the crank through, i'd definitely put the seals on after, with the coke can trick....

 

[Magic_Man]

but in the case of the these china saws, the seals are already installed. I know guys do it successfully, but putting the crank through the bearing AND seal at the same time you run the risk of inverting the rubber seal and then having that stupid circular spring pop out. if that happens, you won't know it until you do a vac test. whatever way you put the crank through, i'd definitely put the seals on after, with the coke can trick....

I understand what you are saying Matt, and agree with all the advise here that you and everyone has given. I know the best way to do it is to knock the seals out, use heat (my preference) or other method to install the crank. Then install new seals after the fact. I will be doing my personal saw this way. I started this topic as a conversation of using a press. Not that it's the best way,or the only way, but another way for the China kits with preindtalled seals. My buddy wants to build this ms440 kit as it comes in the box. He's going to put an hour/tach on it and run the guts out of it. Thank You Again