I’ve decided to start posting about some of the tools required to properly build, maintain, and unfortunately rebuild model helicopters. Only five short years ago, models did not come pre assembled like they do today. This is great but it leaves a lot of hobbyists in the dark when it comes to maintaining certain items. More times than not a hobbyist will replace an entire assembly instead of disassembling and replacing a single cheap part. In the long run it will save you a lot of money!  I will try to do this on a monthly basis until I run out of tools to post.

The tool for December is the Arbor Press.

Q: What is an Arbor Press?

A: An arbor press is a small hand operated press. It is usually used to do smaller jobs, such as staking, riveting, installing and removing bearings and other press fit work. They are usually rated by the maximum load they can apply. The base is usually a cast metal. A ram provides the force; it may be square or round. The ram is usually driven by a rack and pinion setup. Higher force arbor presses have another gear reduction.[1]  Forces are usually generated by manual or hydraulic input. (Referenced from Wikipedia)

Q: Why do you need an arbor press?

A: In the R/C Helicopter Hobby, there are dozens of uses for an Arbor Press. I use my Arbor Press for pressing bearings into main shaft bearing blocks as well as pressing bearings out of bearing blocks. Coupled with V-Blocks and a dial indicator, you can straighten main shafts, tail shafts, and head axles (within reason, I usually do not straighten a shaft that is more than 3 thousandths out). The Arbor press will almost always ensure the object is pressed in straight without damaging either of the components.  Another use, if you ever have to change the washout pins in the head block, an arbor press is very helpful in getting them back in straight.

Q: Where can I get an Arbor Press and for how much?

A: You can purchase a decent Arbor Press for between $30.00 – $50.00 dollars at Harbor Freight and Tools.

Have fun and be safe!

Matt Botos