Adding a "H" handle to the H-press Jack!

[Quarterbore]

Last night I was struggling to adjust the headspace on an AMD-65 kit and I was continually pressing the barrel ever so little and then releasing the press and checking the headspace to only need to put things back in and do it all over again. I got tired of fighting with the handle to open and close the relief valve on the bottle jack and I reflected on how much I have to do this same task when bending a flat and it occured to me that it is really pretty stupid that the bottle jack doesn't have a handle that just stays there. Well, that is as much of an into you need...

The image below shows what I got at Home Depot tonight!
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/h-press-01.JPG

Doesn't that "H" beg to be on the press?
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/h-press-02.JPG

Note this handle has two metal jaws that get tightened down by a set screw!
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/h-press-03.JPG

This is the screw heads that clamp it on.
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/h-press-04.JPG

Looking at where to make the notches of the pin that does through the valve.
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/h-press-05.JPG

Ready for the dremel
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/h-press-06.JPG

Notch is done... note I had to do some fitting post this pic but it's obvious what you need to do... Just don't make the notch too deep so the handle clears the jack (See below)
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/h-press-07.JPG

Side view of the notch.
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/h-press-08.JPG

My new authentic "H" handle on my H-press!
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/h-press-09.JPG

Now my handle can stay where I want it so I can pump or I can release with a twist!
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/h-press-10.JPG

Note clearance between the jack and the handle!
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/h-press-11.JPG

[DarkKnight]

nice thinking, that works good!

[aloharover]

nice thinking, that works good!

x2. Thanks for the idea.

[Wrangler]

The handle I found at Home Depot was a lever but still the same idea. It works great. Why didn't I think of that. All my jacks have one now.

[Quarterbore]

This is the single best thought I had all year... Anytime I get to work in the shop now I am so thankful for the handle... ALL H-PRESSES should come with handles of some sort... and I don't mean a normal jack handle!

[Wrangler]

Actually, all bottle jacks should have them. Mine works on a floor jack too since it is only a single large lever. You might want to do the same if you have the need.