[TheForge] forging press

[Chuck Robinson]

Before you do anything else, get a copy of Jim Batson's hydraulics primer.

You sound like you're about ready to waste a lot of money on buying 
hydraulic components that are not going to work together properly.

Hydraulic gear pumps are actually two pumps in one body, a high-pressure 
low-volume pump and a low-pressure high-volume pump. When you actuate 
the pump, both sides are working until you dies contact your billet. 
When the pressure reaches about 650 psi the high-volume low-pressure 
pump shuts off and the low the volume high-pressure pump section 
continues to pump. You want to move the hydraulic ram approximately 
between 1 1/2 to 2 in./s on the high pressure side so that you can move 
metal before it cools off and hardens.

The 3600 RPM 5 hp motor isn't going to move the 16 GPM pump. You need to 
go with an 1800 RPM 5 hp motor with a 1.25 or better service factor.
Also carefully check the pumps ratings. They usually rate these pumps 
based on 3600 rpm's so when you drive it with an 1800 RPM motor it's 
going to half the pumps stated flow.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. If you're driving a 16 gal per 
minute pump at 3600 rpm's with a 5 hp motor you'll get approximately 
half the psi you may need to move the metal. The end result you'll 
probably blow your circuit breaker and maybe burn out your motor over 
very short period of time.

You also need to know many other things such as the size and rating of 
your hydraulic ram the length of stroke, hose size and ratings, the 
proper control valves, check valves and on and on.

Jim lays this all out of his hydraulics primer in simple straightforward 
language and even recommends make and model numbers for all the 
components needed.

Chuck