Ceilidh ... Re^2: Would like to build a die press.

Hydraulic Die Forming Discussion Group

Re^2: Would like to build a die press.

Terry Wilson

On Sun Dec 1, Lee Marshall wrote
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>I understand your dilemma! Arts education is obviously an area that is going to be dropped (along with bombs) in the Bush administration. Recently, on National Public Radio (NPR) I heard a segment that dealt with the loss of the "Big Five": Machine Shop, Drafting, Auto Mechanics, Wood Shop, and Sheetmetal.
>Now, I don't know about your part of the country, but I have yet to be able to buy a computer that was even able to fix itself, let alone repair a leaking faucet!
>The apparent thrust in education is to graduate functional illiterates with degrees in computer science that qualify them to use the words: "Do you want fries with that?"
>What ever happened to the idea that the Air Force should have bake sales to pay for a new weapon?

>Sorry...Got carried away for a moment. My apologies to anybody out there with the philosophy of "go to foreign countries, encounter different cultures, meet interesting people...and shoot them".

>Now, back to the question: "I want to build a press". There have been a couple of good question and answer sessions on this in the past, and the Archives are a good place to troll for answers. Here is one that is from February 20-26, 2000:
>www.bonnydoonengineering.com/ceilidh/d80da355C6y-3703-1172-00.htm
>Because the Archives cannot do a "Digest", you will have to go "Back" each time and get the next message.

>I would recommend that you build the press version that is in Susan Kingsley's book, "Hydraulic Die Forming for Jewelers & Metalsmiths". This is a proven design that can be made and assembled by a qualified machine shop (or somebody that can drill a 1" hole through 1-1/4" thick steel plate). It doesn't rely upon welding. Unless the welder is "certified", I would not recommend a welded frame. Most people do not understand the forces involved, and the attitude of "Thats good enough" can be dangerous. The Kingsley version is designed to accept all of the accessories that have been developed.

>Hope that this helps.

>Lee
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Howdy

I have built a 50 ton press similar to the one that Bonny Doon sells. So far I am into it for $500. But that was only with the help of a large scrap yard and a friend that is a professional welder. It would cost a lot more if I had to buy the material new. I still haven't figured a good spring return system yet. I have some overload springs I am thinking about trying. I also haven't figured out how to modify my 50 ton jack to be adapted to a power pac. I figure that will be a couple hundred more dollars. So far jacking up a 50 ton jack by hand and making a profit can't be used in the same sentence.

If money is a problem I would go with Susans design. I started there, but I am an engineer and I just had to go the more power route.

As to education, the vocational program is huge here in Oklahoma, to the point I worry that it is going to hurt the engineering programs in the colleges. There has to be a balance somewhere.

Terry

Mon Dec 2