Brandon Buford Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 I know this is an ongoing thread. I looked at harbor freight.com today and the air operated 20ton jack is around $120.00. Is there a cheaper version or do they just go on sale down around $100 occasionally? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBrackett Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 (edited) I got one on sale about $60 out the door using the 20% off coupon on top of the sale price. You just have to look for the right special to run. HF puts them on sale like that a couple of times a year as a weekly special. That the cheapest you will find it. Got it two weeks ago. Edited December 31, 2012 by GBrackett ”Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor!” George Brackett American Bladesmith's Society, Apprentice Member Hialeah, Florida Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Ward Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Thunder. That's fantastic ! I'm off to the steel yard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vihalvor Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 Hi guys .. my home depot type of store finally got an air/over hydraulig bottlejack. its the FIRST time ive seen this in a reasonable priced store here in my country ( norway ) .. however.. its a 12 ton thingy ... would it do ANY kind of work in regards to a DYI hydraulic press ? .. or would it be a waste of time and money ? (http://www.jula.no/trykkluftdrevet-jekk-12-t-601037) 170mm distance, pressure : 12 Ton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBrackett Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 (edited) I picked up my steel for the press, foot switch arrived yesterday, and bimba cylinder for release valve on the way. With God's help, my friend Fred, and some luck will start on the project when I get back from my Handles & Guards class. To make life a little easier I paid to have the steel cut to size. The cost for that was way less than what my time is worth and all pieces are cut correctly. Edited May 31, 2013 by GBrackett ”Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor!” George Brackett American Bladesmith's Society, Apprentice Member Hialeah, Florida Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBrackett Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 First welding session. All the rain we have been getting has put a damper on the project. Fred busy at work. I'm the gofor, and take the photo guy. ”Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor!” George Brackett American Bladesmith's Society, Apprentice Member Hialeah, Florida Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Labros Papageorgiou Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 guys, a quick question: Does the compressor have anything to do with the strength of the press ? I too am using a 20 ton jack but i was wondering if the compressor i have does not facilitate the press to deliver the 20 tons. Any suggestions ? thanks a lot in advance to all www.EmbersFly.com facebook.com/EmbersFly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Bocker Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 So, after collecting parts necessary, I finally got this done... I used the I beam from a 4x4 jack, a few pieces of scrap, and a 20 hydraulic/air Jack from hf... A good friend helped me weld it up... I used angle iron for die holders, so I can build dies as needed... I've got two stacks of 1084/15N20 welded up and handled to attempt my first run at damascus... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Karakostas Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Hi, Would a 2.5HP, 21 Gallon, 125 PSI compressor work? I really want to make this! Thanks Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanM Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Looks like a "Bonny Doon" press,you could look at their tech page and maybe get some info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dntfxr Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 I read this thread back in '08 and decided I had to have one of these. I'm finally setting up my permanent shop so I got my HF jack on the way! Can't wait to put this thing together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Kelley Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I read this thread back in '08 and decided I had to have one of these. I'm finally setting up my permanent shop so I got my HF jack on the way! Can't wait to put this thing together! You will love it once it's built! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan C Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 (edited) I finished my medium-sized forge press this weekend, and it works amazingly well. It is the same basic design as all the presses in this thread, but it was made with 3" square tubing. I also reinforced the inside and outside of the cross beams with additional steel. This thing is heavy and solid, and it crushes steel really well. I can't begin to say how happy I am with it. Edited December 8, 2014 by Dan C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunder Posted February 18, 2015 Author Share Posted February 18, 2015 As to the questions on the air compressor ... I use a veryold 3 hp 120 psi max compressor. The pressure never seems to get up to 120, butstays 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 inanswering questions, I need to check to see if I am getting email updates. Youringenuity in the various press designs are amazing. KNIVES PLUS ® Retail cutlery and cutlery accessories since 1987. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvis Stepcic Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Hello, been re-reading this post from quite some time. So i have the compressor and the air jack now i have a basic idea of what i plan to do but before buying the steel for the construction i would just ask few questions I saw different designs and was thinking of using a 1 " thick or 1" 1/2" plate for the base, so basically around 30 mm, would be that enough to withstand 20 tons of pressure? in case i tough of adding some reinforcements under it lengthwise so it doesn't bend not in a hurry so answer with ease Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. -Saint Francis de Sales Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBrackett Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 The 1.5" would be better in my opinion. More in this case would not hurt. I used .25x2x2" tube and .375 plates and above/below it. ”Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor!” George Brackett American Bladesmith's Society, Apprentice Member Hialeah, Florida Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvis Stepcic Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 will overbuild it with a 1.5" plate and reinforce it underneath. thanks for the input Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. -Saint Francis de Sales Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hudgins Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Hello everyone. I have been looking to build this for a bit now. I hope to have the air jack today, and the steel by next weekend. How is everyone fairing with the builds? Anyone have some completed items that were made on the presses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hudgins Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 Okay, I now have the jack. Steel is in the works... Anyone, have any updates?? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBrackett Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 (edited) I just made a new set of dies for mine. Drawing dies out of 1045 mounted on A36 steel plates. Edited February 29, 2016 by GBrackett ”Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor!” George Brackett American Bladesmith's Society, Apprentice Member Hialeah, Florida Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hudgins Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 Very nice. What are the dimensions of your dies? The height? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBrackett Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 1.5x3x3. The width of my arm landing is 4", the points of these stick forward a quarter inch. ”Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor!” George Brackett American Bladesmith's Society, Apprentice Member Hialeah, Florida Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekmelton Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 Hey guys, I know this thread is old but I'm starting this project in a week or so, pretty much following Ken's design to the letter. I saw someone mention a Millermatic 210 mig welder used to weld the frame together. is that sufficient to weld 1/4 inch 2x2 tubing? I have a Lincoln mig welder, it's worked great for welding up a belt sander frame but I'm worried about the strength required for a press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekmelton Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Anyone know if 1.5 inch by 3/16th thick tubing would be sufficient for the 20 ton press? Provided the welding is sound, that is.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hudgins Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 I used 1/4" wall 2" x 2" for the uprights. I would think that you would want to go with 1/4" wall. 20 ton is a lot of pressure. 2" x 2" will also give you a little more surface area (hammer & anvil). I have the bulk of mine welded up now, and happy that I went with the 2" x 2", also just looks good too. Just my 2 cents though.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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