discussion on way to make a press for stainless to hubcap dish

[throwback]

Looking for suggestions on how to make a press to press the stainless steel center onto the metal hubcap dish for 1936 style early V8 hubcaps.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[51 MERC-CT]

If you are taking about pressing a design into a hubcap.

First and foremost you have to fabricate a set of male and female dies of whatever design you choose, the press is just a tool and can be something as simple as a drill press for some applications.

[hotcoupe]

If you are trying to put the stainless steel skin back on, it's simple. Put the carbon steel hubcap in the freezer overnight and put the s.s. skin in the oven @ 200* for 20 mins. Align both pieces and they will go right together.
Tom

[throwback]

Yes, I am trying to put the stainless skin back on. I will do as you suggest of hot cold method to re attach. I was also wanting to press the stainless back down on the steel hubcap to secure the stainless to the carbon steel hubcap portion so I will not lose the stainless while driving. I know some would suggest putting glue under the stainless between the carbon steel hubcap. I think pressing the stainless would be more permanent. Any thoughts on pressing the edge of the stainless back down in contact with the carbon steel?

[RalphM]

If the edge has t been “messed with” then the original shape will hold it on. What I’m saying is if it was removed with air vs a screwdriver. If the edge has been pried off then you will need some sort of tool to reshape the edge.

[nelsb01]

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This is what I did -- since the lady didnt want parts in the oven.
Once the steel has been painted -- secret here is to one coat the area where the stainless will be -- put a moving pad or thick set of towels on a smooth floor. Slightly grease the inside of the outer edge of the stainless cap. Put steel cap on padding. Line up V-8 with V-8 indent in steel. I had created a styrofoam mold in the shape of the stainless out of the 4 inch pink insulation foam. I then built a 2x4 frame for it and used 2 x 8 for the top of the case. Once the styrofoam was shaped to the stainless and the frame was built, I placed waxed paper over the stainless (to protect against styrofoam scratching) and then placed the frame with the styrofoam over the stainless and cap. With one good "stomp" of the left foot squarely on the frame, the stainless was on.
To verify my work, I used another old cap as a test and once "stomp", I took the air hose with the tip and blew off the stainless. It popped, just like it did when first removed.
A lot of work, but cost me all of $0 since I had all the materials on hand.

[rich b]

"Parts in the oven" are similar to "parts in the dishwasher"; both best done when the wife is gone long enough to do the job and erase any evidence.

[19Fordy]

nelsb01: Very ingenious. Well done. Would be cool if you could post photos of the process.

[cas3]

once again, rich b has shared his vast knowledge of the old car hobby ! thank you rich, keep it commin

[nelsb01]

Hope these pictures explain my hubcap re-install.
All I have left to do is place some chauk in the hole that was originally drilled in the steel to pop off the stainless.

[nelsb01]

And the final view

[Zeke3]

nelsb01, thanks for the techniques and pictures on how to remove and install the wide 5 hubcaps.

[rich b]

That is pretty slick.