Using a manual lathe as a hydraulic press??

So, one of the engineers here need to press in a bushing with really tight tolerances and because our hydraulic presses are old and not calibrated for straightness etc, he wants to use the cnc lathe as a tool to replace the hydraulic press.

how he proposes to do this, is by mounting a press-block that is fitted with the bushing onto the tailstock of a manual lathe. The part will be inside a self-centering 3 jaw chuck. To perform the press, rotate the tailstock gradually and use the force of the tailstock to press in the bushing. Because the tailstock is always centered, there will be lesser chance of tolerance being out.

Has this idea been tried before? Or what do you think of the feasibility of this idea?

CNC or manual ?
Whats the press force ?

On a Haas ST series the press force allowed is several metric tons, and this would likely work well, depending on the fit of the bushing.
A light press fit (under 200 kg) is very different to a large heavy interference fit (30 tons).

On a manual, I doubt you can hurt anything, as common sense will tell you not to use a cheater bar on the tailstock.
So, if its goes in with no more effort than a drill, then its ok.
Even large drills use 500 kg of force, and lathes drill holes every day with no harmful effects.

0.02€..

Hello,

You can also try freeze the bushing if it is going in a hole not in a shaft, this way the bushing will shrink.

Leave it in a freezer overnight and next day in the morning try to put it on, should go like butter