press

[atakach]

what is a good all around size for a press? i have a 50lb. hammer and was thinking in the future of building a press , are there any plans out there that make it pretty simple to build? or is it better to buy a factory one maybe used?

 

[jdm61]

Some folks have been presses from hydraulic log splitters, but I am told that you have to do a lot of reinforcing to the frame.

 

[boilermaker]

Get Jim Batsons plans from Don Fogg or ABANA? details everything you need to know about press building. hope this helps brother:thumbup:

 

[deker]

If you trust your welding (and I don't mean a little bit) or if you know a good welder, building one is indeed an option. When you're pushing upwards of 20 tons IMHO is not the time to find out your welds suck.

There are several presses geared towards the blacksmith/bladesmith specifically. Take a look at this recent thread for info on what's available.

If you do decide to build one (I'll be building mine since none of the presses commercially available have all the features I want) overbuild it just to be safe, and BE CAREFUL.

-d