Half Ton Arbor Press Plug/Leaf Chopper.

[ShiniKoroshi]

Simple arbor press Ive had for decades but used only once. Glad to finally make good use of a useful tool. The flat stock I had on hand too, brass and 304 stainless. 304 isn't the best blade material but it is tough and corrosion resistant. It work hardens so Im hoping it will hold an edge after honing it a few times.

The blade stack (mount) bolted together form the stem that is inserted into the end of the ram. Once bolted together I filed the stem into the shape of a cylinder which will keep the blade stable during the cut. Beveled on one side at about 30° with a honed edge at about 35°. Blade is 3.5" wide with a cutting depth of 1.25" (below the brass bar).

I have a longer piece of pine for a cutting board but it really needs a hardwood. Ill also shorten the board to the right of the blade and work out something so that cuttings drop off instead of stacking up against the blade.

 

[KroBar]

ha! I was just imagining something like this, pretty much exactly the same, a "punch" insert for my arbor press, a few hours ago!!!!!
Then proceeded to not be able to get out of my chair to make it to the basement.
Good Work!
Does she drift much?

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

The ram has a slight drift to the rear, I think. Could be the wood or the fact I can't see to cut a straight line.

 

[KroBar]

Even if it was drifting side to side, all you need is a 3 sided box (Front, Rear, and Bottom) with a slot that the blade will fit (like a bagel cutting box).
The tobacco (in the box) will stay static relative to the blade.
P.S., that's what the grub screws are for, to calibrate the slop and travel of the arbor
I LOVE the ingenuity

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

Its adjusted tight (minimal clearance). The problem seems to be the teeth of the pinion gear are bottoming out on the trough of rack gear teeth. So one grub has the rack against the frame and the other (top) does not. Simple fix; Ill shim the new plank square to the blade and call it a day.

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

Excuse the "Redneck Engineered" return spring, it works just fine!
Ive chopped up a few pounds in the past month with this and and gives me much more consistency in width of cut than I was getting freehand.
The handle does go all the way back which raises the blade enough for cakes thicker than 1". But in this position I keep blade travel to a minimum
for maximum efficiency of motion while cutting up shred.

 

[Olmstead]

That's a beautiful piece of machinery you've got there. I've got a real soft spot for good steel.

Reminds of this awesome plug slicer at the amazing tobacco shop called "Twins Smoke Shop" up in Londonderry, NH that I visited last summer (pictured below). What a great place!

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

That's a beautiful piece of machinery you've got there. I've got a real soft spot for good steel.

Reminds of this awesome plug slicer at the amazing tobacco shop called "Twins Smoke Shop" up in Londonderry, NH that I visited last summer (pictured below). What a great place!

Those are really nice slicers. Ive been keeping an eye out for one around here and you never know what will turn up at an antique shop.