Hydraulic For Damascus

Bruce Bump

Bruce Bump

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
Messages
9,910
I have been using a 50lb. Little Giant Power Hammer to forge damascus. I have heard about using a modified hydraulic press such as a log-splitter turned vertical with foot controls and dies. The power hammer has the neighbors applying for gun permits. Does anyone have an idea about what size to get or plans? 20 tons? 30 tons? Bigger? Bruce Bump
Life is short Make Knives
 
i plan on making some dies for pressing damascus into barstock and for welding it, for my 36ton hydralic press, the pirahna. i heard on the forums you could squash a billit of damascus into barstock very easily with it.
 
Most folks forge smaller billets.. The bigger the billet the more psi you need.
I use a 45 ton press that I made. It is a H frame press. I like it much..
Design is a big consideration when building one of these puppy's
You can modifie a log spliter . It will work great if you make the right size billet for the tonnage.


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Thanks guys, I just got back from Jeff Carlisles X Press site with Don Foggs Page. Don uses a huge press compared to the X press that Jeff is making for $2500. w/o dies, which is a sweet 15 ton. I think I can find a log splitter in 20 or 30 ton for bigger billets and make the dies from railroad rail. The dies can be designed so they slide in and lock in place easy for quick change. Later, Bruce Bump
 
Jeff Carlisle makes one of the nicest presses around, he makes several different dies for his press, he also sells steel,1084,1095,15n20,5160,52100, Jeff can be reached at bevo@3rivers.net or call Swains spring service 1-800-378-1246
 
jet sells a 100ton bottle jack, that could probably be modified into a barstock making press, you could squash small billets very easily, and large ones too.
 
I agree with Mike! I have used a number of different presses, and Jeff makes the best for forging that I have seen. I own one of his, and without it, there is no way I could produce the mosaics I do. It's about the ultimate in control one can have over hot steel. If your building your own, keep in mind that using a larger dia. cylinder equals lower working pressures, and makes things much safer. I cringe when I walk into a shop that has a 40 or 50 ton press, that operates at 3000 psi, that is nothing more than an accident waiting to happen.
http://www.mtn-webtech.com/~caffrey

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Ed Caffrey
"The Montana Bladesmith"


 
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