Pressing Plaques/Acrylic Blocks etc.

[Justin]

Not sure if I'm missing something obvious here. I have an Adkins swing away press and I'm struggling to press thicker items, 20mm blocks etc. Obviously tried all usual adjustments but I don't think the press will allow such thick items to be pressed

The press height allows the thicker item to be placed in but won't lock down. I know I don't need heavy pressure and wonder if putting a box of mugs on top of the platen would be enough to keep it in place? Don't really want to hold the press manually for 7 mins+ keeping pressure on!

Only option I can think of is to remove the lower platen completely to give me around 30mm extra space and then clamp down onto....well something!

I'm guessing some presses are better than others for this, what does everyone else use?

edit: I can get a thicker block in and lock down the handle but pressure is high, can this cause a problem with acrylic blocks in particular?

[Justin]

I see there's a deep impact platen available in a smaller size than I'd need, anyone used one of these?

[bms]

Not sure if I'm missing something obvious here. I have an Adkins swing away press and I'm struggling to press thicker items, 20mm blocks etc. Obviously tried all usual adjustments but I don't think the press will allow such thick items to be pressed

The press height allows the thicker item to be placed in but won't lock down. I know I don't need heavy pressure and wonder if putting a box of mugs on top of the platen would be enough to keep it in place? Don't really want to hold the press manually for 7 mins+ keeping pressure on!

Only option I can think of is to remove the lower platen completely to give me around 30mm extra space and then clamp down onto....well something!

I'm guessing some presses are better than others for this, what does everyone else use?

edit: I can get a thicker block in and lock down the handle but pressure is high, can this cause a problem with acrylic blocks in particular?

You only need light pressure with these blocks. Removing lower platen and using something else thinner would be an option - mdf board.

[socialgiraffe]

If you only need light pressure, would not just leaving the platen essentially resting on the block suffice?

I would have thought there is enough weight in the top part of the platen to sit steady on something.

[Justin]

Thinking today about the wood option I think this would work. If its very light then the weight of the platen may be enough, at least you can cook these for longer if they don't take first time

I spoke to Adkins and they can supply me with a different fitment but want to run a test first.

Will see how it goes tonight, thanks.

[WorthDoingRight]

If it is a swing arm press could you not just swing the arm around 90 degrees and press off the bottom board altogether perhaps? My swing arm press will quite happily lower at the 90 degree position off the platen completely.

Not sure if this is possible with an Adkins press but works fine on my cheapo chinese swing arm press.

[Justin]

OK, update time Got a piece of mild steel cut to size today for my new lower platen, new base on the way from CG to fix to it so fingers crossed this will do the job!