Hydraulic Die Forming Discussion Group

Bonny Doon-Poirier Studio Update!

Phil Poirier
poirier@newmex.com
Thu Dec 1 '05

Hello to all Forumites from G. Phil Poirier!

It's been many months since I had the time to enjoy this forum. I feel the need to let everyone know what developments are occuring at both Bonny Doon Engineering and Poirier Studio.

As some of you may already know, I have been working with Lee Marshall
for over a decade now. We have collaborated over the years engineering and producing numerous tools for the metalsmith. From the 3" formbox to most recently, the entire line of deep-drawing presses and die sets.

Lee has been trying to retire for the last few years, and after it was
clear that things were going to shut down this coming Jan 1, 2006, I made the decision to take over the manufacturing of the tooling and
move the business to Taos.

I knew this would only work if I had lots of qualified help. I enlisted the help of a good friend John MacArthur, a certified welder, master machinist and engineer. I also wanted Lee to be available part time for his expertise in engineering new tools and jigs for the creation of tools. Lee will also continue as a master instructor teaching Hydraulic Die Forming classes, along with Cynthia Eid and Anne Hollerbach.

Three weeks ago Lee Marshall, John MacArthur and myself spent several
days in Bonny Doon, Ca. at the home of Bonny Doon Engneering. The three of us sat down and designed the next generation press.
Our design criteria were strength, ease-of-use, longevity, versatility, and support.

We are currently working on our first batch of new (2006 Version) 20-ton tall and 50-ton Mokume presses. There will be subtle changes to the look of the press.
They will now have a hard powder-coated finish, the platens will have
harder cold-rolled surfaces free of mill scale, the top horizontal steel members will be larger to minimize bowing and the uprights will include gussets to minimize deflection. The price increase that comes with all of these upgrades also reflects the ever-increasing costs of steel. I believe that anyone who sees or uses the new 2006 20-ton will easily recognize it's costs/benefits ratio.

The 20-ton tall presses will soon be available from Rio Grande. I will be demonstrating the new presses at the Rio Grande Catalog in motion show in Tucson this year, so please stop by and let us know what you think of it!
I will strive to make this transition as simple as possible and ask for your patience and continued support.

Sincerely,
G. Phil Poirier