I’ve had a question asked about my home built hydralic press (Thanks Wally). I will try and show some pictures and give measurements where I can
The first press I saw was built by Jeff Carlille in MT. The Imagination Express, It worked great so since I am a welder by trade I figured I could build one myself.
I hope that any of you that see this blog will comment on things that you have seen that worked better or ways that this design could be improved.
John Reynolds, a fellow knifemaker and friend of mine built one that I have copied and have had great succese with.
Bottom attachment and slide
The slide is made of 3/4 inch steel with four 5/8 bolts holding them together, the center piece is shimmed to a little over 1 inch and it is drilled and taped for a grease zerk. One inch was used for the cylinder mount and that was welded to a piece of 1 1/4 that was beveled on both sides to match 4 inch channel iron.
- Hydralic Press
The beam I used was 6 inch H beam with a 1/2 inch web and flange. It is 45 inches tall. I then added 1/2 inch piece to each side to box it in. Those where moved in 1 inch to make room for the slide guides. I then plug welded a 1/2 by 6 inch piece on the front to stiffen the beam further.
- Front view
The ram is a 5 inch with a 1 5/8 rod and the stroke is 8 inches. I set it up to only run at 7 when fully extended so it didn’t bottom out.
- Top cylinder mount
Where the ram attaches at the top I used a 1 inch by 6 inch piece and cut out the H beam so it would fit back into it then welded it all up solid. You can’t see it in the photo because the boxed pieces are covering it but the mount runs to the back of the beam. In this photo you can see the front 1/2 inch piece that was added.
- Press die attachment
This photo shows the way the dies are attached, John came up with this and it works great. They are easy to change, the only draw back is that they slide out some times. I have many different dies for drawing and shaping.
This has been a very good press for me and I have not had a bit of trouble with it. I do have a two stage hydralic pump on it that I like, it moves fast and maybe to fast sometimes when you are try to do delicate work but if you are carefull it is fine.
Please if you have any questions or comment let me know.
