[TheForge] Hydraulic Press Question

[Woolley]

Greetings,

I don't have room nor need for an ironworker in my shop(or the 
pocketbook).  What I would like to do from time to time is punch square 
and rectangular holes through 1/4 maybe 3/8 flats and plate.  Does 
anyone know how powerful a cylinder I might need to do this?  Metal for 
tooling?  I was considering making a chanel frame  to back up the 
cylinder and hold the tooling.  Anyone have any ideas for this set up 
without breaking the bank?  Thanks.
 
Regards,
Bill Woolley