Clark Iron Press?

DanF

DanF

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 17, 2017
Messages
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Any first hand experience with this 25 ton unit?
Thanks
 
I looked at the website and they don't tell much about the press, not even a good photo. Have you asked about cylinder diameter, max PSI, GPM of pump? I'm assuming it's a 2 stage pump. I'd really wish to know about size of steel used for the frame - almost looks on the light side for 25 tons. Several questions to ask.

Let us know what you find.
 
It looks similar to the Coal Iron Presses. I have heard that the hobby makers like the bench top model. Mount it on a stainless kitchen wire cart and it can roll around the shop.
 
Ken H> said:
I looked at the website and they don't tell much about the press, not even a good photo. Have you asked about cylinder diameter, max PSI, GPM of pump? I'm assuming it's a 2 stage pump. I'd really wish to know about size of steel used for the frame - almost looks on the light side for 25 tons. Several questions to ask.

Let us know what you find.
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I agree Ken, not much pertinent info there. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for me to contact them and will definitely post what I find out.
I would have gone for the 12 ton Coal Iron IF it had been a true 12 ton.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
It looks similar to the Coal Iron Presses. I have heard that the hobby makers like the bench top model. Mount it on a stainless kitchen wire cart and it can roll around the shop.
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I have debated whether the 12 ton would be borderline, particularly since it is not a true 12.
 
When considering a desktop press, the weight must be considered. I've not read anywhere Coal Iron has changed to a 3-1/2" cylinder to give an actual 12 ton press, but the Coal Iron "12" ton (only an actual 9 ton with the provided 3" cylinder that came on my Coal Iron press) does work pretty good with the small dies they use. I made a good bit of Damascus with it before I changed to a 4" cylinder to get an honest 12 ton, and have been know to push it a bit more.
 
I remember you mentioning your “9 of twelve” press. I am still flabbergasted they (or anyone) would do something like that!
 
DanF said:
I remember you mentioning your “9 of twelve” press. I am still flabbergasted they (or anyone) would do something like that!
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Yea I was also, and their "it works why are you complaining" was even more concerning to me. I was hoping for an offer of the correct 3-1/2" cylinder, but that wasn't even an option for them - something about 3" cylinder is less expensive. I ordered a 4" cylinder to make it work. The 4" was a good bit less expensive than a 3-1/2" cylinder. Seems like the 3-1/2" size is sorta of an odd size so more expensive than the common 4" size cylinder.
 
Ken H> said:
and their "it works why are you complaining" was even more concerning to me.
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Me too, and this is the main reason why I/we continue to look for another option than them, and are seriously considering fabricating our own....
 
Set at 2800 psi (rated for 4000), cylinder bore 5”, 11gpm (used to be 16 but was very loud at that),
Weight without fluid 250+, add 100 for fluid.
Forgot to ask the gauge of metal.

ETA 5hp, 220v
 
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weo said:
Me too, and this is the main reason why I/we continue to look for another option than them, and are seriously considering fabricating our own....
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I really want to build me my own - even got the 3"X1/4" angle and a 4" cylinder for an honest 16 ton press. After calculating the weight of finish press I decided it was too heavy for me to push in 'n out of shop on my cart so elected to stay with the frame provided with my existing Coal Iron press.

If you're happy with an "H" design frame, the Coal Iron design is easy to build, just use appropriate size steel for the frame.
 
I have Batson’s forge building book if anyone could use it, I’ll never build one this late in the game.
 
I apologize for responding to an old thread.
but recently I had the opportunity to use a 40 ton clark iron and a coal iron 12 ton. I was talking to someone who had the clark 25 ton desktop model as well.

The consensus at this hammer in was that clark you get more for your money the only down side is the dies are not as hard as those you get from coal but no one thought that that was a big deal.
You can get a clark desktop 25 ton unit which while I didn't get to use the 2 guys there with one at home said it was a great unit. I used the 40 ton one a lot and it was pretty great. Though in truth I thought the much smaller coal iron 12 ton was fine for it's intended purpose. I mainly used it to draw out my billet that already had it's initial squish and initial drawing done on the clark, for that it works great.
 
The 9 ton Coal Iron press does do a good job for what it is. I'm assuming the Coal Iron 12 ton you used had the stock 3" cylinder which provides 9 ton at 2550 psi.
 
Ken H> said:
Yea I was also, and their "it works why are you complaining" was even more concerning to me. I was hoping for an offer of the correct 3-1/2" cylinder, but that wasn't even an option for them - something about 3" cylinder is less expensive. I ordered a 4" cylinder to make it work. The 4" was a good bit less expensive than a 3-1/2" cylinder. Seems like the 3-1/2" size is sorta of an odd size so more expensive than the common 4" size cylinder.
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Sorry for derailing the thread . Is the Wen 4” cylinder a simple drop in or are there any other concerns when making the upgrade?
Thanks!!
 
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The WEN CC4008 Clevis Hydraulic Cylinder with 4-inch Bore is a drop in fit, but remember, that's an 8" stroke while the 3" Coal Iron cylinder is a 6" stroke. The 8" stroke cylinder is a longer cylinder which means there is a bit less space under the ram. You might do a search on WCLN4x6 at northernhydraulics for a 6" cylinder. There are other places perhaps at a better price.

Did you find the WEN CC4008 on Amazon? Good price there.
 
Ken H> said:
The 9 ton Coal Iron press does do a good job for what it is. I'm assuming the Coal Iron 12 ton you used had the stock 3" cylinder which provides 9 ton at 2550 psi.
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honestly I think it was the stock, but i'm not 100% sure. myself the only advantage the coal iron 12 has is it's 110v if you don't have or want to run 220v.
once i get enough pennies saved up i'm getting a clark 25 ton myself. you can get one of those for the same ball park as the coal iron 12t (er 9t),
the only thing i didn't care for, but really isn't a big deal, is the clark 40 ton the ram is on the bottom so it's pushing up.
the clark 25 the ram is on the top. (obviously since it's a table top unit). but the guys that had the 25 said it had no problems with tall billets.
 
I agree with you on the bottom up ram, just seems awkward to me. Folks who use the bottom up say it's not a problem and I'm sure it'd be just fine once I got accustomed to the bottom up ram. I think 25 ton would be really neat - I've pushed my frame to 16 ton a few times to see what how much better it is, but with the small 12 ton dies it's not major difference. It's with my larger dies I notice the difference.
 
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