[TheForge] Upside down Press - oh what a tangled web we weave

[David E. Smucker]

I think "Chuck's Design" is the safest one out there.  Especially getting 
all of the hydraulic below the hot metal where it can be shielded.  I don't 
know of a blacksmith killed or badly burn with a press accident but it may 
very well happen.  I know of several very bad industrial accidents of this 
type.  Hot metal and a spray of hydraulic oil do not go well together.

By the way -- SACK of Germany has made some very large industrial forging 
press of this design.  Union Electric Steel and Forging in Pittsburgh has 
one.  SACK is now part of the SMS Demag AG group.

Dave
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chuck Robinson" <robi5515 at bellsouth.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 1:44 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Upside down Press - oh what a tangled web we weave


> Hey Steve,
> I have used a vertical press similar to the design you are thinking of, 
> and several presses with a stationary bottom die and with the cylinder 
> mounted above the top die.
> Have even used a press with horizontal dies.
> They are all usable but the presses with the moving bottom die was awkward 
> to use, although better than the horizontal press. The press is really 
> awkward to use when making large Damascus billets.
> But your design should work.
> Build it, use it, and  you will learn a lot  you can incorporate in your 
> next press.
> Bruce has got good design concepts
> I worked out my original similar design with Jim Batson about 10 years 
> ago.
> He copied it with improvements.
> Uncle Al modified it and began selling it about 9 years ago.
> Wire grass forge used  my next design and added a few improvements.
> I helped build 4 more presses before my final design. (The pics I sent 
> you).
> The basic advantages are.
> All hydraulic components are below the dies=
> Less heat.
> Less danger of a hydraulic leak  doing you in.
> Virtually no side loading of the ram seals at full cylinder extension.
> Plenty of work room around the dies.
> Top die is open to allow using large drifts.
> Die height is adjustable to facilitate different pressing operations..
> Press has an 11" stroke with 19" maximum opening to accommodate large work 
> pieces.
> ( the  bottom die has a removable sow block to use with smaller work 
> pieces).
> The unit also has foot activated solenoid switches to allow use of both 
> hands to control your work piece.
>
> Chuck
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <smith at blacksmithing.org>
> To: <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 9:50 AM
> Subject: [TheForge] Upside down Press - oh what a tangled web we weave
>
>
> Bruce wrote:
> So, have you considered the possibility of a double-inversion?  [snip]
> --hmmm---he says well scratching his head:
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>
>
>