A hydraulic press can be used as a field-expedient pole shoe vise, as long as you support the pole shoes from inside to avoid distorting the housing when applying pressure to the tooling. I have ground a drag link socket to fit the slot in the pole shoe screws and used a 1/2" drive T handle to turn it with pressure applied to the tool. Use a big Crescent wrench to hold the housing and keep it from turning while tightening the screws. Just be sure everything is set up perfectly vertical, and don't overdo it on the pressure! You can use a 1/2-13 "coupling nut" and two short bolts to make a support strut for the inside of the housing.
Jerry

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!