Homemade Hydraulic Press Recap - Plans - Parts

J. Keeton said:
What sizes do yall seem to use the most?
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I think this will vary by the smith, depending on what you are doing.
I originally made a set from that can go from 1/4" up to 1 3/4" via stacking and only have used the 1/4" as an add on to the stack, not by itself. This works pretty well, but the smaller blocks get pretty hot pretty fast. When I get a permanent set-up, I'll probably make a set of saddles like yours that go from 1/2" up to 1 1/2" in 1/4" increments.
 
Look like they're working good. Is that 1/4" thick? How wide apart - 3"? More?

edit: watched video again - seems like I remember your dies are 6" wide? That might make a 4" space there.

I would think 1/4" would be the most used for control of billet thickness, but might wish 1" for squaring up a billet. I've used my squaring dies for squaring a billet also.
 
Ken H> said:
Look like they're working good. Is that 1/4" thick? How wide apart - 3"? More?

edit: watched video again - seems like I remember your dies are 6" wide? That might make a 4" space there.

I would think 1/4" would be the most used for control of billet thickness, but might wish 1" for squaring up a billet. I've used my squaring dies for squaring a billet also.
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Hey Ken, the die plates are about 7''. I think these 1.5x1.5 sections are about 5''. I'd say around 3-3.5'' of working space in between the kiss blocks without going out and measuring.
 
I can't imagine a billet more than 3" or so wide so that's just right. I also like the idea of having blocks on both ends so the pressure is even and not sideways. With your 30 tons that could be LOTS of pressure. Does the 3hp motor seem like it loads much at full pressure?
 
Ken H> said:
I can't imagine a billet more than 3" or so wide so that's just right. I also like the idea of having blocks on both ends so the pressure is even and not sideways. With your 30 tons that could be LOTS of pressure. Does the 3hp motor seem like it loads much at full pressure?
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Oh yeah, the 3HP motor is working great. Zero issues. I think the 5HP requirement listed for hydraulic pumps of this size is for gas powered motors.
 
Since you're running a 3hp, 3600 rpm motor at around 3,200 psi for 30 tons and the motor is working just fine with no bogging down, I wonder why Coal Iron puts 5hp 3600 rpm motors on their 16+ and 25 ton presses and they're using the same 13 GPM pump on all the presses. I have thought about looking for a 2hp 3600 rpm motor for my press to get the full 13 GPM for faster ram travel compared to the 1800 rpm 6.5 GPM flow rate.

edited Sept 18th to add: It will take a 3hp motor to turn the pump at 3600 rpm. At 1800 rpm the pump is only pumping around 1 to 1.5 GPM at high pressure. At 3600 rpm it's going to be pumping around 2 to 3 GPM requiring more hp. These pumps are 2 stage, low pressure around 600 psi they pump 13 GPM at 3600 rpm, once pressure exceeds around 600 psi the flow drops to 2nd stage for around 2 to 3 GPM at 3600 rpm. Half that flow rate for 1800 rpm, and less hp required.
 
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I believe they use a 2HP motor on the 16 ton press. The 25 ton uses a 5HP. . The smaller 12 ton press uses a 1HP 120V motor.
 
From reading specs on website for all 4 presses, and emailing with tech support about why my "12 ton" press is only 9 ton (actually only 8 ton as received due to pressure relief being set at 2250 psi rather than 2550 psi I've determined the following.

On both the 12 ton (which is only 9 ton since it has a 3" cylinder) and the 16 ton press (uses a 4" cylinder), Coal Iron uses the same hydraulic system with a 1800 rpm 2 hp motor and 13 GPM pump which gives on 6.5 GPM with 1800 rpm motor. With the 3" cylinder 6.5 GPM provides a fast ram travel, but on the 4" cylinder the ram travel is slower, about 1/2 speed of the 3" cylinder. It still seems just fine in speed to me with my 4" cylinder. The 16+ ton and 25 ton press has a 3600 RPM 5hp motor with the same 13 GPM pump.

All 4 presses use the same 13 GPM 2 stage pump and control valve.
 
Small update: I added this catch baking tray to the front...

Attached with two 1/4-20 bolts. My plan is to just shop vac it out from time to time.

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Cheers,
RBO
 
That's a good idea and should work pretty good with the trays on both sides to catch scale. AND, there is a lot of scale popping off. I let all the scale fall to the ground since I'm outside with my forging. Have you been able to do much forging yet?
 
Ken H> said:
That's a good idea and should work pretty good with the trays on both sides to catch scale. AND, there is a lot of scale popping off. I let all the scale fall to the ground since I'm outside with my forging. Have you been able to do much forging yet?
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Yes sir! On my third stack and forge weld of the day!











 
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