Advice on problems with my press

E

Eric1109

Joined
Dec 30, 2015
Messages
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I am new to knife making. I have built a press from a 35 ton pneumatic bottle jack. I am finding it slow and not as powerful as I had thought. Doesn't seem to be squishing metal down as much as I thought it would. I should say I'm trying to draw out a damascus billet. At the rate I'm going it will take weeks to get it thin. I Not sure if its because I only have it running from my 25 gallon shop compressor. Would it work better if I had a 60 gal 220 v compressor. Or should I build / buy a hydraulic press. If that is a better option where do I find one to buy at reasonable price. Or are there any easy to follow plans I can use. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Eric1109 said:
I am new to knife making. I have built a press from a 35 ton pneumatic bottle jack. I am finding it slow and not as powerful as I had thought. Doesn't seem to be squishing metal down as much as I thought it would. I should say I'm trying to draw out a damascus billet. At the rate I'm going it will take weeks to get it thin. I Not sure if its because I only have it running from my 25 gallon shop compressor. Would it work better if I had a 60 gal 220 v compressor. Or should I build / buy a hydraulic press. If that is a better option where do I find one to buy at reasonable price. Or are there any easy to follow plans I can use. Any advice would be appreciated.
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From what I understand, there is no way to make a "cheap" press. You need ram speed and power to draw out a billet efficiently. I'm building a press slowly, 12.5hp, 36 ton, 24" stroke. Look up the Bateson book. He explains the cheapest way to get a functional press with 5hp. There was a lot of good information in a thread I started a little while ago. Salem and a few others were really helpful in setting me straight.
 
Thanks for the info. I am new to forums... heck had hard time even finding response to my post. Where would I find the thread you are referencing... Oh by the way Im a neighbour I live in BC.
 
As Willie said, if it could be done for a few bucks, everyone would do that.

Those bottle jacks are far too slow as well as not really able to produce 35 tons. I would compare them to a 5HP shop vac that draws 9 amps.

You need 20 tons or more and 1IPS ram speed for a realistic forging press.
 
Ok
Im not adverse to spending what I need to build or buy the press. I Just don't know where to go for plans or direction...
 
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