Forge press plans/advice?

[JG Custom Metal Works]

i have done some research and I’m seeing a good amount of different sources, models, and plans. A lot of the threads made addressing this issue are years old. Technology changes rapidly and with tons of knifemakers constantly sharing ideas on forums like this, I’m sure forge presses have evolved significantly in the past 10yrs. Maybe I’m wrong.

Basically I’m wondering what, is going to be the best option for building a forge press nowadays. I plan to amass the parts as I can afford them. I had thought of going the route of modding a log splitter, but I’m not sure that’s the best way to go about it.

I know there’s a good amount of you guys who are going through this same process and I’m hoping to draw from your guys’ experience/findings. If you’d be so kind to share them with me that is. I wouldn’t mind just buying a pre-made forge press, but dang they’re pricey. Is there a lot of money to be saved by building your own? I know it’s probably relative to how easily you can source parts, which I’m not so great at honestly.

Any books, plans, or advice you guys could share with me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kuraki]

There is a lot of money to be saved building your own provided you have a steel supply that isn't retail pricing. As far as technology there really hasn't been many changes and there's no free rides, force and speed are governed by power, and when power is fixed you inevitably lose speed to increase force or lose force to increase speed.

JT's press with a 10hp motor running on a VFD with solenoid switches is the kind of thing I consider the cream of the crop.

A 5hp motor and dual stage pump like mine is middle of the road.

A 2hp motor press running on 110 is the minimum.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Sometimes buying a tool is a smarter choice. Depending on your experience with hydraulics, welding skills (most home shop hobby welders need not try welding up a forging press) and the ability to move around, cut, lift, and weld 1" metal, it may be far better to buy a good press.

Recently a friend bought a Coal Iron press for his shop. He could buy anything he wants, as money isn't an issue, but bought it upon recommendation from other experienced smiths. I was surprised at how much can be done with the $4600 Coal Iron 16 ton press. It rolls to where you need it, runs on a 20 amp 110V receptacle, has hand and foot controls, simple dies, and has surprising force. The 16 ton unit is just right for hobby smiths who want to make single billets of damascus and forge down large stock. The 25 ton unit is more robust with a 5Hp 220V motor. It runs $5900 more.
Those prices sounds like a chunk of money, but you could put over half that in building a press … with no guarantees.

 

[JG Custom Metal Works]

There is a lot of money to be saved building your own provided you have a steel supply that isn't retail pricing. As far as technology there really hasn't been many changes and there's no free rides, force and speed are governed by power, and when power is fixed you inevitably lose speed to increase force or lose force to increase speed.

JT's press with a 10hp motor running on a VFD with solenoid switches is the kind of thing I consider the cream of the crop.

A 5hp motor and dual stage pump like mine is middle of the road.

A 2hp motor press running on 110 is the minimum.

Thanks a bunch for your response. This is what I’ve been bouncing around in my head. It seems, when I do research on pre-made forge presses, there’s always drawbacks. Those drawbacks could be addressed or bypassed if making your own.

My only concern is whether I have the ability to build the press on my own. I have the tools to build it, I think. I have a Lincoln 180 HD mig welder and have a decent amount of experience with it. I’m no expert, but have a professional welder friend who would be enlisted for the job. My only concern is that it wouldn’t be up to the task and wouldn’t get the penetration needed to make for a structurally sound press. This of course is of vital importance. However, it might give me an excuse to pick up another Lincoln “tombstone” arc/stick welder. I never should have sold the last one I had.

Do you think my Lincoln 180HD mig would be adequate for welding up a 20-30 ton forge press?

 

[JG Custom Metal Works]

Sometimes buying a tool is a smarter choice. Depending on your experience with hydraulics, welding skills (most home shop hobby welders need not try welding up a forging press) and the ability to move around, cut, lift, and weld 1" metal, it may be far better to buy a good press.

Recently a friend bought a Coal Iron press for his shop. He could buy anything he wants, as money isn't an issue, but bought it upon recommendation from other experienced smiths. I was surprised at how much can be done with the $4600 Coal Iron 16 ton press. It rolls to where you need it, runs on a 20 amp 110V receptacle, has hand and foot controls, simple dies, and has surprising force. The 16 ton unit is just right for hobby smiths who want to make single billets of damascus and forge down large stock. The 25 ton unit is more robust with a 5Hp 220V motor. It runs $5900 more.
Those prices sounds like a chunk of money, but you could put over half that in building a press … with no guarantees.

Thanks for your response Stacey, I really appreciate it.

I don’t have really any experience with hydraulics, but I’m a fast learner. If I had plans, with a part list and instructions, I’m confident I could make it happen. As far as welding goes, I could have my welder friend help with that. I just need to figure out if my Lincoln 180HD mig welder would be enough, or if I should pick up a cheaper Lincoln “tombstone” arc/stick welder that are always on Craigslist.

My physical ability is fine. I’m not the apex of human strength, but I’m in my mid 30’s and still have a decent amount of fight in me.

You mentioned the coal ironworks press. I’ve been looking at the 25 ton one in particular. It IS pricey, but if it will be the last forge press I ever need to buy, it would be worth it to me. Do you think there are better options in that price range? Here are some of the other presses I’ve been looking at inthat price range.

JW Randall 30 ton press(unsure of price/availability, but have email sent inquiring)
http://www.jwrandall.com/knife-blog/2017/1/27/30-ton-hydraulic-forging-press

Riverside machine “uncle Al’s” 20 ton press $3,500
https://www.riversidemachine.net/ecommerce/uncleal-s-hydraulic-press.html

Ron Claiborne 25 ton press $5,000
http://www.hightemptools.com/hydraulicpress.html

McNabb 24 ton “small” forge press $5,400
http://carolinaknives.com/products/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=53

 

[kuraki]

It's really going to stretch a 180 amp MIG but is within its capability. That's the smallest welder I would want to use and it would mean a lot of multipass welds. With your friends help it shouldn't be a problem, but the duty cycle at that high amperage is really going to suck.

 

[Aidenag]

If your questioning if you/your equipment is up to the task of building a press, safe bet is your not. I was in same boat last year and wanted to build my own but realized id be shellin out likely $2-3k to attempt it with no guarantee it would work, be safe, or be a press i would be happy with the end result of.

i had planned on getting one of larrys presses as its what i learned on and really liked. But he is no longer with us. So after a lot of research and more back and forth than the guys at coal iron probably appreciated i settled on their 25 ton model and couldnt be happier. Very well designed, works like a dream and their die system and prices for more are really nice. Ended up having them send me 5 premade dies and a ton of blanks to make my own. Can't go wrong with one of their models.

 

[Brian Stucker]

I am in the process of building a press right now and I would not use a Lincoln 180HD. I have a 180 HD. I am using a Lincoln stick welder using 1/8" 6011 rods for a root pass and 1/8" 7018 for fillet welds. I am only 1/2 way into building mine and used around 20lbs of rods so far. I am no professional but I wouldn't trust the 180Hd. they are great for smaller stuff.