[TheForge] forging press

[doveknives at aol.com]

   Just wanted to add my 2 bits.  I didn't catch the complete idea of the mass of metal to be worked, but I regularly forge weld (dry, no flux) 4x5x4  billets of Damascus without any problems. My C frame press (one I built)  frame weighs 1500# w/cylinder, the cylinder is 5" bore (off of a garbage truck dumpster lift arm) the pump is a single stage w/bypass set @ 2000#.  I would not build a C frame again, there is flex in the frame even though the frame is 14" H beam w/1" wall thickness on all cross sections.  H frames tend to allow for much more accurate forgings.  
  The concern for the dangers of hydraulic leaks are VERY real.  A gent just north of us had a 5000 psi hydraulic line rupture injecting fluid in to the area of the thigh, he ended up losing the leg due to the damage and very nearly his life.  I had a leak develop on the return line of my press, I was on the other side of the machine and was safely out of the way.  But I must mention the volume of oil sprayed across my shop in the 2-3 seconds it took my to hit the kill switch was staggering and the cleanup was overwhelming.  Take great care when fabricating your machine.  They can be a great asset or liability to your shop.  Be sure to add shields between you and ALL hoses and connections, you only get one set of eyes lungs etc... Don't waste any of them.  

 
  

Trusting HIM,
Steve Rollert
keenedgeknives.com
doveknives.com