[TheForge] heavy metal math/c frame press

[Andy Vida]

John Emmerling wrote:
> 
> Thanks for the responses. I don't really need a cylinder this large, but
> I paid next to nothing for it and it has had little use. So considering
> the stress level of a 60 ton push/pull, it sounds as though an "H" frame
> is the better route.  I just liked the idea of having the work space
> around the "C" throat.

	I see no problem with a 'C' frame.  If you don't want to make use
	of the full capacity of the cylinder, then limit your fluid
	pressures such that you are generating, say, 25 tons of force.
	My acquaintance in Scottsdale, Tim Hancock, is a top drawer
	bladesmith.  He has an open-frame press he purchased (don't
	recall from whom) that gives about a 25 ton clamp.  He uses it
	to weld his billets and I have watched him do it.  The capacity
	of the press is more than enough for that application.  The
	spine of the press is a 12" i-beam section.  The cylinder mount
	is a welded structure at the top of the beam.  The flat acts as
	the guideway for the ram.  I've watched the rig carefully and
	saw no evidence of appreciable movement in the structure while
	under stress.  I was watching because I wanted to see of the
	alignment of the dies was in any way affected by such movement.
	It wasn't.  these dies weren't even clamped in place.  They
	simply slid into place with perhaps 1/16" wiggle room fit and
	were fine in operation.

	Another nice feature is the beam is articulated such that you can
	lay the ram/cylinder horizontally to do horizontal work.  I never
	saw it used this way, so I cannot tell you more about how it is
	set up.

> I have been thinking about making the hydraulics
> as a power pack on castors and being able to use more than one tool with
> the unit...maybe a smaller cylinder on a "C" frame.

	This is a good idea.  At the shop in Mesa we had Mongo (the world's
	nastiest bender) on suhc an arrangement, not so much to power other
	gadgets (though this was certainly possible), but because the
	contraption was large and very heavy.

	Also, I would consider a two-speed pump, if you don't mind shelling
	out the cashola for it.  The high-speed/low pressure side is used
	for rapid traversal of the ram and to apply comparatively low 
	clamping pressure to work.  The low-speed/high pressure side is 
	used to put the heavy squeeze on your work.