Next step was to pick up all the parts. I select Northern Tool for as many of the parts as I could only because I have a store fairly close to me and being new to this I thought I would have a few returns to do ( I was correct). Below is a list of most of the parts minus the motor. I ended up buying one new but I can’t seem to find the info on where. Picked it up online somewhere, I’ll add the motor info when I find it.
Note the photo that shows the motor and pump setup shows the original motor I was planning on using. It was a 3phase motor and after I added the phase converter It didn’t have enough power. I ended up buying a new 5 hp motor that did the trick.
I finished this press at the end of July 2014 and have been using it almost daily ever since. Building it from scratch I had no idea what 24 tons of power would be able to accomplish but I’m very pleased with the power of this machine. Another great part about hydraulic presses besides the power is the relative quiet of the machine. I’m now able to work weeknights and mornings without worrying about waking the neighbors or even worse, the wife! I hope this post helps inspire someone who is thinking about building a press but isn’t clear how to start. Feel free to ask any questions and I’ll do my best to get you an answer.
Thanks for sharing ,great learning capability thoroughly enjoyed it I made one from photos from Indian george pic on my website www gardnerknives.com cheers and thanks. Baz
Hey Chad, I can answer the first question - Javos can correct me if I’m wrong.
I would say you’d be looking at $1000-$1500, depending on what price you can get some of the steel for.
I don’t know the second question, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it’s capabilities - having first hand experience, this thing is a beast. Javos Ironworks and I have been making some hammers together, we’ve been taking a lot of the work out of the process by punching a 3/4" hole through our 1-1/2" or so steel in one heat!
Obviously both the press and a power hammer have their roles, but I would think one would choose this over the hammer if it can do it quietly and efficiently!
I was in the machine for around $1100- $1200 If I’m remembering correctly. It took a few weeks to weld it all together. I did drift a 1" hole through a 2" bar. I’m guessing I could have gone through thicker material with more heats.
I’ve been using the press to punch hammer eyes and it’s been working really well for that. As with anything the more I try the more I learn and the better the eyes look.
Here is a photo of my punching rig. I’ve changed a few things since this photo was made. I had to beef up the top two bars for removing the block and I also gave up on the set screws for aligning the blank. the press kept bending them and it ended up being easier just eyeing up the piece.
I press 3/4 from one side then flip and press the rest from the other side.
Thought I’d post a update to this post as it’s been a few years since the original post and I see lots of folks are still using it as a reference. The Press is still working like a champ. I find myself using it more than my power hammers as it’s quieter and doesn’t shake the entire neighborhood like the hammers do. I’ve made quite a few dies so far. They are generally easy to make or tweak. Most of the dies I make are mild steel. I do get some deforming on the dies but it’s pretty minimal. If you need higher heat resistant dies I’d suggest S7 or something similar for your dies. My punches are 4140, s7 or 1045
One thing I wish I would have added is a hole under the bottom ram where I could punch and pop slugs out of. I can get around this by using a built up bottom die but having the hole to allow deeper punching would be a nice feature.
I’m still around so if anyone wants more detail shots of the press or have any questions go ahead and ask them here (thats the whole point of this post).
Thank you so much for your excellent documentation of your hydraulic press build!
Can you tell me the total height of the “H” portion of your press and the thickness(s) of the top cap plate and bottom cap plate?
beat regards
Reg
