[TheForge] One more consideration regarding that 10Kpsi system...

[Ron Childers]

Never, ever use a fitting that someone buggered up; that, too, can cause
a thin stream which can actually penetrate the skin under the right
forearm and cause horrible health problems. In the case I worked,
someone had cross threaded the fitting and the guy was working in a
tight space trying to fix the leak. Two years later he was still having
a multitude of problems. 

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mark A. Pesetsky
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2011 7:42 PM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] One more consideration regarding that 10Kpsi
system...

I appreciate and welcome more of this kind of worry/concern. I am by no
means experienced w/these things and I am not an engineer in this field
either. So no worries Andy, rather, THANKS....

The system was a single owner. The cylinder was rebuilt by a certified
ENERPAC rep and the air line and hydraulic lines that came with the unit
were used very little. The cylinder was never used after the
rebuild/factory test. The gentleman retired after that.

Thanks Again
Mark
________________________________________
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] on behalf of Andrew Vida
[osan at netlabs.net]
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2011 7:35 PM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: [TheForge] One more consideration regarding that 10Kpsi
system...

Mark,

There is one more consideration you should ponder before using this used
Enerpac system: if you do not know its history, it would behoove you to
plumb it with all new lines.  That may get pricey.  Also, mount 14 ga.
sheet metal shields over all hoses in all locations where a leak could
send a thin, high velocity stream of hydraulic fluid in your direction.
  If you are injected with hydraulic fluid, you will be in for a very
bad time.  It is very toxic, it may kill you, and as I recall a wound
contaminated with it will have a terrible time healing.  It could take
months or more.

Some will cite that hydraulic fluid loses its energy rapidly in a
leaking situation - true enough - but when you have used the press
awhile and you forget just how dangerous it can be, you will get busy
and parts of your body will likely come into very close proximity to
lines, even making contact... just the nature of the use.  If a 10K line
pops and your arm is 2 inches away, you may well be injected with fluid
and you will not like the results.  I am sorry if I sound like a nervous
nelly mother hen, but these are all things you need to consider when you
are operating high energy equipment like this.  A much more tame 3K
system is nowhere near as dangerous in these respects.  If you want
100t, you can always get a 10" cylinder with a 2-speed pump for fast
tramming of the ram with high power for the squeeze.  That would give
you 117t capacity.  Hoses and lines would be a lot less costly, too.
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