Is this genius, or really dumb? I can't tell.

Bühlmann

Bühlmann

North Lake Forge
Joined
Jan 6, 2022
Messages
475
I'm considering a press. I'm considering whether or not I want to mess around with fabricating my own. But that's not the topic of this thread. In my excursion down the rabbit hole that is forging presses, I came across this and was impressed at the ingenuity and efficiency of design:


Has anyone else seen this before? Built one? I'd like some good opinions on if this might be a wonderful (or not so wonderful) small shop/hobbiest solution. Why or why not?
 
I have no idea why you haven't got any replies. I make knives strictly by stock removal. It looks like a awesome build but I have no clue. I did learn how to make damacus from a local maker just using a trip hammer though.
 
LCoop said:
I have no idea why you haven't got any replies. I make knives strictly by stock removal. It looks like a awesome build but I have no clue. I did learn how to make damacus from a local maker just using a trip hammer though.
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Yeah, really! In a place where guys give unsolicited opinions on all aspects of knife making....I try to solicit opinions on a unique idea for small shop functionality and nothing but crickets! 🤪

I think it looks like a sweet setup. Knowing all well that it may not be an ideal situation for either, it looks like a very effective solution for a hobby maker / small shop/low volume guy. The plans are $57. IDK if that is expensive or not, but if there is something fundamentally stupid with the idea that I'm not seeing I think I might order them & see if I can figure it all out.
 
I have not seen one or heard of one.
The idea seems sound. As he says, the press isn't the same power as a dedicated press, but is quite handy for many tasks and light drawing out of stock. The hammer is not a Little Giant, but will surely do basic forging and shaping.
$57 for plans is about what I would expect. As is shown in the video, you need some good welding skills and the clamps and fixtures to make perfect 90° welds. It appears he has a large machine shop and is probably a very qualified welder.
 
Thank you for chiming in, Stacy! Like I said, I'm considering a press for just my little operation which is just me playing around. They are a lot of money to me, but I don't know if I want to spend all the time building one. I never dreamt I'd have a power hammer, but if I were to build something (I think I have adequate skills and equipment to do so) I think it'd be cool to get decent working versions of both for the same hassle of fabricating just a press alone. I don't know much about pneumatic cylinders and the controls that go into making a power hammer like that work, but it looks like it might be doable for a guy to figure out. I'm ponderin'.......
 
I was waiting for somebody with actual knowledge to comment. Myself, it seems like those lathe/milling machines built together. Works some, but not as good as a dedicated lathe or mill. The 10 ton press in the video is a bit more than Coal Iron's "12" ton press which is only 9 ton so the 10 ton will work pretty well.
 
How big (besides "bigger is better") of an air compressor would be required to run that air piston? It's an 80mm bore X 200mm stroke in the plans.
 
Bühlmann said:
How big (besides "bigger is better") of an air compressor would be required to run that air piston? It's an 80mm bore X 200mm stroke in the plans.
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According to the video he's running an 80 gallon compressor from the 1970's.

Eric
 
ea42 said:
According to the video he's running an 80 gallon compressor from the 1970's.

Eric
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Tank capacity has nothing to do with pump capacity and HP to run it.

Big tanks are cheap.

SCFM quotes are the way to define air pumps
 
12345678910 said:
Tank capacity has nothing to do with pump capacity and HP to run it.

Big tanks are cheap.

SCFM quotes are the way to define air pumps
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Very true, he gave no other info in the video other than the capacity. Go to 7:28 in the video for a shot of the unit.

Eric
 
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