Alternatives...Could I get this press to work???

[Robert Hankins]

Not having $2500-3000 laying round and looking for a press. Could I use one of the 20ton presses sold by Harbor Freight to squish some steel?

Have heard of people using a smooth jawed large vice

I know there are limitations and would obviously take longer but as the billet reheats you could set up for the next press...
Thoughts

 

[Nowicki]

I was sort of thinking the same thing. I have a power hammer to draw and forge with but thought I could set the welds comming out of the forge with one.
Larry

 

[Greg Covington]

I would worry about it Robert......you could get it to initially weld but because of the time delay in pressing again, any dies that ya use will sap the heat out of the billet.

I know that the hammers and presses are relativley expensive but over the years I have littered my shop with equipment that I tried to make work trying to save bucks.

I invested (and I do say invested) in one of Ron Claiborne's presses because I weighed the demand on myself for Damascus knives, and looked at how long it would take to recoup the money. In the case of of big Bowies, it might only take 3-4 knives...maybe less.

I guess my best advice is to start with the best equipment that you can and then u never second guess the tools when u run into other problems.

 

[Robert Hankins]

Greg
Good advice Will be heeded
Tried to save a few bucks buying a Coote grinder and it has served me well....But it does have it's limits.
Should have opted for the KMG1 from the start.