Forging Press Dies

Jonathans

Jonathans

Joined
Jan 9, 2008
Messages
588
I am converting a hydraulic punch press to a forging press. The only difference will that I will need to fab a die holder, and a set of dies.
I estimate the press at 25 - 30 ton (5hp hyd power pack). I plan to use it for forging Damascus billets, and general fullering, drawing, and flattening.
Any recommendations regarding which dies I might want to have, how to fab them, and what kind of steel to use, would be appreciated.
I would also appreciate ideas as to designing a die holder.
Thanks!
 
Make a basic die holder with clips or a slide in retaining method. Make the dies plates that fit the holder from 1" steel. Make whatever shape dies you want and bolt or weld them to the base plates.

Before you go much farther, check that the press you are converting has a big enough pump for the ram speed needed. Die presses work slow and with lots of force. Forging presses need to work faster. Many hydraulic presses for shop tasks have lots of force in tons, but less than 1 IPS ram speed. It is better when you can get 3 IPS .
 
Make a basic die holder with clips or a slide in retaining method. Make the dies plates that fit the holder from 1" steel. Make whatever shape dies you want and bolt or weld them to the base plates.

Before you go much farther, check that the press you are converting has a big enough pump for the ram speed needed. Die presses work slow and with lots of force. Forging presses need to work faster. Many hydraulic presses for shop tasks have lots of force in tons, but less than 1 IPS ram speed. It is better when you can get 3 IPS .
 
I read somewhere that certain presses have to make a full cycle and if they cant there are catastrophic results. I think it was a punch press but not 100 percent sure. It would probably be worth researching before going much further.
 
Thanks. I'll get the vfd figured out (5hp motor is 3 phase, and check the machine out prior to moving forward.
I appreciate the suggestion. Assuming all is well with the press, the 1" base plates would be mild steel, sliding under a couple of clips as Stacy suggests. Would the working part of the die be mild or tool steel? Hardened, or not?
 
Mild steel works fine for press dies. No use using tool steel or hting it because the dies get so hot the temper is ruined.
 
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