Uncle Al's riverside machine forging press

Kentucky

Kentucky

Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
2,986
Hi fellas. I know several of you here have an Al's press. Id like to ask now that you have had it a while how are you liking it and how has it held up for you?
 
I've not seen this press but looking at Uncle Al's site I couldn't find it either. There was a link to it in an old post but its dead now. Anyone know if he still sells it?
 
Thanks Kentucky. Maybe I have seen it. Unless I'm mistaken this is the press they are using in forged in fire. Hopefully someone that has been using it for a while can chime in with how they like it. I'd really like a press but am undecided on whether I want to build one or not...
 
Augus7us said:
Thanks Kentucky. Maybe I have seen it. Unless I'm mistaken this is the press they are using in forged in fire. Hopefully someone that has been using it for a while can chime in with how they like it. I'd really like a press but am undecided on whether I want to build one or not...
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No problem and Im pretty sure it is the same press..Pretty distinctive style you know.
 
I have had one for about 5 yrs and love it. When I got it I did notice a few things I did not like but are fixable. 1. It did not come with a filter for hydraulic fluid or an air filter (hydraulic likes to breathe on his system). This takes a little welding and drilling to adapt one. 2. It does not have a drain for the fluid so it is basically impossible to change all the fluid. When mine goes bad I will just add another tank that will have drain plug (no way to add drain plug now as the left leg is the tank and you drill into it and you will never be able to get shavings out of the bottom). I use heavy magnets on the bottom of the tank to attract any steel shavings that come from pumps or system over use. 3. The electric motor is not tefc (totally enclosed fan cooled motor) and is mounted vertically and allows forging debris to fall in the back of the motor (have had to replace 5 HP and they are expensive) I have built covers for them but found out to late.
Enough of the bad. It really is a good press and performs well. The thing about a press is they only know on or off (full power or no power) but the foot control he built is really good and responsive. His die setup could be better. What I mean is changing dies. It is really easy but the dies are not held in place tightly and can move around a bit. No problem in basic pressing of metal but is if you use dies that are for patterns. Pattern dies have to line up exact so when using them just have to be careful. Plenty of power to do pretty much anything you would want to do with a press. All in all it is a good press for the money. If I have missed something just ask.
 
Thanks! Maybe they will take your thoughts under consideration for modifying their product if they lurk here.
 
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