[TheForge] movable frame press

[Bruce Freeman]

Would it make any sense to use heated dies?  Since there's no hammering, these could be cast iron, for less flow when hot.  Then preheat however - maybe even with electrical heaters.

For that matter, can ceramic be used as dies on a press?  For low thermal conductivity, of course.

Bruce
NJ

>>> smith at blacksmithing.org 6/6/2007 3:55:38 PM >>>
Greetings all -- 

re: movable frame press (http://www.ironflower.com/tips/Press-article.pdf) 

Lynn asked about heat sink aspect -- it's going to be a problem (like all 
presses). Material cools off fast. Narrow dies ought to help. Given the 
removable die blocks on this press, I can experiment (and will).