Forging Press

T

ThomStewart

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Nov 1, 2015
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Okay, I’m building out my workshop and getting into Damascus, which means I need a hammer or a press. Since I live in a suburban neighborhood the big power hammer is out. I need a good forging press. I know zero about hydraulics and just bought my first MIG welder.

Thoughts? Ideas?
 
I built this one for around 1600$ But I got a good deal on the steel.
 

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ABS has a booklet by Dr. Jim Batson that details how to build a hydraulic press. You might take a look at that.
I got the book, but after looking through it I just saved up and bought my press from Ron Claiborne.
https://www.hightemptools.com/hydraulicpress.html
Many guys have built their own presses but it was too daunting of a task for me and my fledgling welding skills.
Also, not sure how much you actually wind up saving in the end.
 
Generally speaking I would highly recommend not using a mig welder for structural welding. This is assuming you have little or no mig welding experance. Espicaly if it’s a small 120v welder. Normally a stick welder is used because it’s easier to get good solid welds. I have seed mig welds that look good but have zero penetration on one surface. I do a TON of mig welding at work sir structural items but anything requiring extra schookem gets the stick.
 
I used a Lincoln Tombstone welder and done 6011 root welds and then sometimes
3-4 fillet welds over the 6011. I have a mig welder also but I wouldn't use it.
 
Don’t let the old myth that mig welds aren’t as strong as stick welds fool you. E70S wire has the same strength as an E7018 rod. Daily I weld in high pressure steam lines with mig. It’s a slightly different process as it’s RMD but with the right know how and right machine mig is just as strong as a stick weld.
 
I was not saying mig is bad I’m just saying it takes some learning to get the hang of it. I just spent 2 day rebuilding the front end of our lumber transfer trailer. Today was about 8hrs of stright welding with a mig. I love migs but like I said I have seen welds that look good but are not really doing anything.
 
NickBoyle said:
Don’t let the old myth that mig welds aren’t as strong as stick welds fool you. E70S wire has the same strength as an E7018 rod. Daily I weld in high pressure steam lines with mig. It’s a slightly different process as it’s RMD but with the right know how and right machine mig is just as strong as a stick weld.
Click to expand...

Sure, but what machine are you useing and what settings ?

If you're doing high pressure steam, you are educated and experienced, your weld procedure is qualified and the equipment is capabile and tested.

If you have the machine to use sufficient amps and penetration.
You probably have an angle grinder and clean off the scale first, then throw some good spray transfer at it.


This guy bought his first welder and we don't know what it is or what his experience is either.
There 's just as good of chance it's a harbor freight flux core 110v machine on cold steel with hard scale coating
 
I wasn’t really saying that towards the OP, just in general that people always put down mig welding thinking it’s not as strong as a stick weld. And yes I am educated and experienced, that’s the reason I want people to know a 220v mig welder is capable of a lot. So is a 110v buzz box with the proper material prep! I use all the different processes every day. Each has their own specialty and usage. Absolutely a HF baby mig shouldn’t be used to weld a 50 ton press. Not trying to argue at all, just educate! I’ll give you guys ever bit of my knowledge on welding, just ask
 
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