Device for securing the dummy block on the press stem of metal-extrusion presses

In a press stem for a metal extrusion press having a dummy block and retainer therefor, the improvement comprising a central blind bore in the end face of the press stem extending only partly through said stem, a dummy block retaining bolt slidable in said blind bore having a chamfered outer edge and a coaxial hole therethrough and a counterbore in the outer end thereof, resilient means in said blind bore for urging said bolt out of said blind bore for engagement in a bore hole in an aligned dummy block to removably support said dummy block on said end face, and adjustable means in said blind bore for retaining said bolt in said blind bore and controlling the amount the bolt projects from said end face while allowing said bolt to retract within said blind bore against the urgining of said resilient means, said adjustable means comprising a threaded bolt having an enlarged head extending through said hole and engaging a correspondingly-threaded bore in the inner end of said blind bore with said threaded bolt head situated in said counterbore, a washer between said bolt head and the shoulder between said hole and said counterbore, said bolt head and washer retaining said dummy block retaining bolt in said blind bore, and a tubular spacer of predetermined length surrounding said threaded bolt and extending between said washer and the inner end of said blind bore, said tubular spacer being interchangeable with other tubular spacers of varying lengths.