Forge Press

S

Shawngambrel

Joined
Dec 21, 2018
Messages
10
whats everyone done for a forge press? Knife making is truly a hobby for me but who doesn’t like it a little easier. I was wondering what’s everyone’s ideas on a nice press or a beginner press? I’ve been toying between a log splitter conversion or a air over bottle jack
 
If you are a hobbiest, your best bet is to befriend a knife maker close to you who has a press who would be willing to share his or her knowledge and press.
You can build one, if you have the skills and tools for $1500 to $2500 depending on how elaborate you want it and how good you are at scrounging parts. Jim Batson, ABS Master smith, put out a manual which is still a ailable and there are some how to build videos on you tube
You can buy one from
https://www.riversidemachine.net/ecommerce/
http://www.mcnabbpresses.com/
There are several other sources, search the internet for "knife forging press price".
Jim A

PS if you fill out your profile with your location, someone might offer to help you.
 
DAMNENG said:
If you are a hobbiest, your best bet is to befriend a knife maker close to you who has a press who would be willing to share his or her knowledge and press.
You can build one, if you have the skills and tools for $1500 to $2500 depending on how elaborate you want it and how good you are at scrounging parts. Jim Batson, ABS Master smith, put out a manual which is still a ailable and there are some how to build videos on you tube
You can buy one from
https://www.riversidemachine.net/ecommerce/
http://www.mcnabbpresses.com/
There are several other sources, search the internet for "knife forging press price".
Jim A

PS if you fill out your profile with your location, someone might offer to help you.
Click to expand...

Hey man thanks for the reply. I am a hobbiest, I’ve done this for about 5 years but nothing full time just here and there. I have a shop with 2x72, 3 burner forge, anvil, drill press and band saw as my most used tools. Im just always adding to it, makes it easier for me cause my time at home is limited since I travel for work. I usually work on knives 1-2 day a week. I will check out the book you told me too. And yes sorry I did add my location to my profile can’t figure out how to upload picture lol
 
Hey Shawn You will need to use an image hosting site to post pictures.
 
You should be able to get better speed from a logsplitter, but either one will be painfully slow.
If you ’just need to build something’, a powerhammer will be overall more useful.
 
Lieblad said:
You should be able to get better speed from a logsplitter, but either one will be painfully slow.
If you ’just need to build something’, a powerhammer will be overall more useful.
Click to expand...
z
Well that's a matter of opinion
Plus ofter neighbours won't allow a much louder power hammer
A press is all I'm aiming for this year
 
One new option for the hobby maker is the Coal Iron Press. They make a 16 ton 110V version that does a surprising job, a more robust 16+ ton 220V model, and a 25 ton 220V/30 amp model for bigger shops. There is only $1300 between the top and bottom model $4650 vs $5950). I have used the 16 ton 120V unit and it does a darn good job with damascus, drawing, and other press tasks. BTW, they are both foot and hand operated, and roll around the shop easily.
https://www.coaliron.com/forging-presses/ The 120V model only needs a standard 20 amp wall socket. Five guys were running a Bader B-3 grinder, the bench lights, a surface grinder, an angle grinder, and the press all on the same 30 amp breaker and never blew the breaker.
 
I just built one. I have around 1600$ into mine. I gathered steel for a year. It's different from most I have seen on the net. I wanted a way to come in from the side. I have a 5hp 3600rpm 9gpm 2 stage pump part# 250-097 from Baily Hydraulics. It's got good speed. I literally just finished it.
 
Your press looks nice and beefy, I like the fact you can access it from all 4 sides.

I didn't watch your videos all the way throuh so I don't know if you have slide in dies or if you have to unbolt them to change them. The ablity to change dies quickly is a big plus.

I suspect you will find the working level of the bottom die to be lower than your back will like. My first press had the bottom die at 40" off the floor and I had to lean over to see what the press was doing. After working with the press for several hours I found my back screaming.
Jim A
 
I built this one when I was in high school, so don't judge it too much. I want to say it cost me around $1500-1700. Worked great... Sad thing is it's rusting away in Louisiana right now... But it'll be back in action once I have space!

Point is... with time and effort you can put one of these together yourself. Depends on what you want to spend your time on.

BTW, I went back to find my "build" threads... but being from 2006 all the pictures are broke.



with v2.0 ram guides:



 
crappiew said:
I just built one. I have around 1600$ into mine. I gathered steel for a year. It's different from most I have seen on the net. I wanted a way to come in from the side. I have a 5hp 3600rpm 9gpm 2 stage pump part# 250-097 from Baily Hydraulics. It's got good speed. I literally just finished it.
Click to expand...
Neat press !
Fwiw, My buddy built a similar press.
Put air nozzle on his press what gives short blast to the bottom die at each moment the top die comes up or down.
 
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Thanks for everyone’s input. A full build from scratch seems like it would take some time. Which is what I don’t have. That’s why I was looking at log splitters then just making a base and dye set for it. But I can’t find Batson book anywhere for sale
 
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