Help in saving a manual a big old Jarecki screw press (OT?)

[Pester]

Hello all,
my first post here so if I have this in the wrong place perhaps the moderators can let me know where it should go.

Here is my request......I have a big old Jarecki screw press that I dont need anymore and I am trying to find a home for it.

My recollection is that I got this from either Mare Island in the SF bay or in San Diego. I dont recall all the details but I think I was told by one of the Navy guys that it came out of a ships machine shop before the ship was decommissioned. It works really well. The guide posts are smooth, free of rust, true and the ratchet/screw assembly runs smoothly. On its stand its maybe 5' tall, about 3 ' wide and about 2' deep.

I have listed this in Craigslist with no luck and I am not really trying to sell it. Thats not the point of my post here.

I really want it to go to a good home where its used and cared for. It kills me to think I am going to have to haul it to the scrap yard. For me its such a part of our history and when I used it I kept thinking about all the work that got done with it in a time when nothing was computer controlled. Being a machinist meant you had to be great with math, know how to fix machines, produce something with tight tolerances etc.

The old Lathe, drill press, shear, die filers,welding table, etc that I bought used from those old guys or the military decades ago have found new homes. I just need help in finding a place for this.

I am just outside of Sacramento CA and would be willing to transport it a reasonable distance if someone can unload it.

Again, If I am in the wrong place I apologize and any help with this is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Mark

[Jim Stewart]

Welcome aboard, Mark. No worries, you're in the right place.

-js

[Doc Nickel]

Jerecki Screw Press.

I know the blacksmiths like flypresses, but those are a faster action. I'm sure somebody'll want it.

Doc.

[PStechPaul]

Happy to have you join us. I can't offer any direct help but hopefully someone here will give this a good home. I also like to salvage old equipment, mostly electronic instruments, but those used in metalworking as well. I still have some of my father's machinist tools from when he worked at Martin's during WWII.

[nickel-city-fab]

Hello Mark! I think you're in the right place. I can't offer any direct help (I'm on the east coast and have no more space in my shop) but I'm sure somebody here will know somebody... or you could try the "antique machinery and restoration" section over at Practical Machinist web site.

[gambler]

mare island has a naval museum. maybe theyd like it.

[Pester]

Thanks for the recommendation on Mare Island. I did not know that so I will contact them.

I was not aware of the Practical Machinist site so they may be a good option.

It just kills me to think of this thing being recycled into oil filter canisters......

[Mr Fixit]

OK a dumb question, how does it work? I looked at the link that Doc put up but how does it turn?

Hobby Shop Machinist that doesn't know a lot sometimes, eager to learn..

TX
Mr fixit for the family
Chris

[Dave C]

Welcome to the forum Mark, and thanks for jogging my memory of the Jarecki co. One of my uncles worked in the Erie plant when I was very young.

[Doc Nickel]

OK a dumb question, how does it work? I looked at the link that Doc put up but how does it turn?

-One spins the "gear wheel" in the center by hand for rapid positioning, then to apply pressure, a handle goes into the swivel piece on the front right pillar. That little flapper up front engages the teeth on the wheel, and "ratchets" it downward like a socket handle. The actual external handle itself appears to be missing, but it's just a chunk of pipe.

To raise it, also like a ratchet, the little flapper is rocked back to the other side, and you raise it back up 'til the pressure is off, and then spin the wheel by hand to get the platen out of the way.

I wouldn't mind having it, myself, but it's about 3,000 miles away and I already have a 40-ton hydraulic.

Doc.

[DR]

$200 for that press seems very reasonable, surprising it hasn't sold.

You could always lower the price if it doesn't sell for $200. Scrap price would probably be only about 20 bucks.