Thunder

Great looking machines! I am impressed with all the improvements.

Look Great!

very clean build, love the foot operated air.

reinforcing couldn't hurt, I think on my first press I busted 1/2" bolts.... and as stated above don't squash steel unless its hot, hot steel squishes easy, cold steel stresses the frame. My original press is still being used. 1/4" is good on the square tubing, and do not know if bolts alone will do the job. Be careful its small but it is still 20 tons.

laughing, thanks wish I got a commission.

The 20 ton harbor freight air over hydraulic press will flatten 3/4 to 3/8 easy and fast in 2" segments

As to the questions on the air compressor ... I use a very old 3 hp 120 psi max compressor. The pressure never seems to get up to 120, but stays around 100. It works fine, but a larger compressor would be much better. HF 20 ton recommends no more than 120 psi. Sorry for the long delay in answering questions, I need to check to see if I am getting email updates. Your ingenuity in the various press designs are amazing.

Here are a couple of videos of the press in action, these are quite old and the die sets are primitive. But it will give you a general idea about what it can do.

I am not sure if a Mig will hold it or not. I have always stick welded. You could tack it all up square and then have it stick welded, or mig it - and be very very careful until you are sure they will hold.

look over these videos they may help answer your questions; youtube mini press Failures will depend on how good your welds are, your design, and materials. I do not recommend pressing on room temperature steel, only press on steel that is at forging temp Hot steel is softer than cold steel and mashes easier. 20 tons is 20 tons, it doesn’t matter if it’s a 6 foot tall press or a 2 foot tall press, However keep your die sizes small, as that 20 tons is spread over large dies Large dies will reduce its pressure by the surface area of the dies. Always inspect your press for deformation of the uprights, and horizontal bars, I expect deformation and I am always watching for it to occur. When I see evidence of it, I beef up that area. I hope this helps these presses as everything we do in forging is very dangerous – keep this in mind.

Seth - here is a link to a PDF manual for the jack, look under purging air, page 7 - PDF Manual - this should have instructions. I have never purged my jack so I am not sure. Hope this helps.

Seth - The pressing area of the dies determines the pressure exerted. My dies are 2” wide that gives a good amount of force, however if your dies are 4” across then you get about ½ the amount of pressure. The air motor has a discharge port where one would feel air escaping. Air shouldn’t be leaking from other areas. Remember this is a hobby press, it’s not going to have the force of one of the $4,000 monsters.

Vihalvor It is a H.F. Air over Hydraulic jack. It is not a conversion; the silver module is the air motor that runs the jack. HF number - 95553. here is a link to see the jack: 20 Ton Air/Over Hydraulic Jack Looks like you have a good start on your press. Hope this helps answer the question. T. A. toler

I haven't seen a mechanical version of the press. But if you can make it work we would love to see one. T. A. Toler

Eastvillage - 1" bolt is good, couldn’t tell from the graphic, not sure what mine are, I broke the first set and went to a large set, mine are on the ram bar, my top member is welded. NESM - good idea, bottom member is just there to reduce the frame depth, bottom member is two 1" X 2" solid bars welded together, plenty strong. blacklionforge - go for it, I've thought about that experiment myself, if you can make it work that would be very cool indeed. Casey - The only way to know is to experiment. There are a lot of variables in these presses, maximum air pressure, frame flex, etc. I think my current flattening dies are about 3” X 4”, I have a couple of variations. One set has a depth limiter so I can get a pretty perfect 1/4" thickness, it is 2" deep. I very rarely squash anything wider than 1 1/2". Pressure is the ratio of force to the surface area over which it is exerted. If you tried to press the full with and depth of 3 X 4 then it’s going to be a struggle. Hope I got everyones questions answered and didnt miss anyone. T. A. Toler