hydralic press

[R Dockrell]

I want to build a hydralic press to ruff forge (squash) 52100 races into more managable bar stock before I attack them with the hammer,will also take a run at making my own damascus in the future. My question is what is the minimum PSI/tonnage rating required for the hydralic ram to preform such functions assuming proper forgeing temperatures are maintained. Due to shop space can this be done on a bench top design press, largest free standing I have space for is about 2 feet wide,no room for a collosus, any sugjestions?

 

[Bruce Bump]

I made mine with a 2 stage pump with a 3 hp 220 volt motor. The pump delivers 13 gal. per min. I have an adjustable releif valve up to 2700 psi. The ram is a 5" dia. with 8" stroke. It travels 90 inches per minute and develops 60,000 pounds force (30 tons) It makes nice damascus. If I had it to do again I would make a bench model. About 25 tons will suffice. Modified log splitters work fine. Bruce