Making a forge press, or buying one?

T

Tyler.t76

Joined
May 19, 2022
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I know this topic has likely been beat to death, but I’m at the point where I’d like to spend the time/$$$ making my own complex pattern welded billets efficiently. So I reckon I need a press. I have little to no knowledge on building a machine like this, but have friends and family who definitely will and would be glad to help on a project like building my own.

So my question is whether building one or just shelling out the cash for a prebuilt one is the right move for me.
I have access to some old forklift hydraulics that I don’t know anything about or whether they’d be strong enough for this so if that’s an option I assume that’s a good chunk of change saved.

If building one, are there any similar machines that can be easily found used, that can be modified and upgraded to make a good forge press? I know log splitters are common, but they seem slow and inefficient for the cost.

If buying a prebuilt is the better option, what companies do you recommend? Coal iron works seems to be the standard, but their cheapest option looked around $7000 which I’m not too excited to spend if there’s other more affordable alternatives. I’m in Texas and willing to drive a good distance to pick one up rather than having to pay the shipping if that narrows any down.

Any advice or recommendations would be much appreciated, thank you!
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Typo - Coal Iron

The C-frame 1HP press is a popular model. Their newer H-Frame is really nice.
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I just took another look at them, it seems the H frame 12 ton 2hp motor is the most affordable at a little over $3000. Would this be enough to work canisters and the like? Obviously won’t be as quick as the higher end, but I don’t mind as long as it’s serviceable. Didn’t find the C-frame 1hp.
 
I'll let someone with a 12 answer that, but I think it is a bit underpowered for canisters.
I would suggest the 16/2HP. I also suggest the foot pedal. You will need both hands forging billets.

For the extra $700 I also suggest the 5HP model. It has 2.5 times faster IPS.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I'll let someone with a 12 answer that, but I think it is a bit underpowered for canisters.
I would suggest the 16/2HP. I also suggest the foot pedal. You will need both hands forging billets.

For the extra $700 I also suggest the 5HP model. It has 2.5 times faster IPS.
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I’ll keep all of that in mind, smart thinking on the foot pedal, didn’t even consider that haha. Thanks for the help!
 
Yep, I've got a 12 ton "H" style Coal Iron press. It's not really a 12 ton unit, unless they've changed things. When I purchased the press I thought I was ordering a 12 ton press. Sad to say it came with a 3" cylinder spec'd to operate at 2550 psi which gives 9 tons. The pressure setting on my controls were adjusted to 2250 psi giving almost 8 ton. The flat dies are 1.5" X 3" so that's still a good bit of pressure per sq in allowing the low tonnage press to operate nicely. I called Coal Iron about the false advertising claiming 12 ton rather than the actual 9 ton (once I adjusted the pressure). They simple said "it works doesn't it?" and did mention the required 3.5" cylinder cost to much so they decided to use the 3" instead. I was VERY disappointed with their response.

I changed the cylinder to a 4" (which was cheaper than the 3.5"), even at 2,000 psi it's 12.5 ton which the frame handles nicely. Just for a test I did a 16 ton press and couldn't see any movement in the frame, but feel that might be too much so tend to use the lower pressure.

"IF" they have decided to use the 3.5" cylinder so you'll have an actual 12 ton, I wouldn't have a problem with.

On building the frame - "IF" you (or have access to a good welder) it's no problem building your own press. It's easy to follow the design - and plenty of sources online, YT, etc. A guy named "Red Beard" on YT has a really good press build. I think his is a 16 ton which seems to be the sweet spot for a press. It's best to have a 3600 rpm motor since most hydraulic pumps rated well above 1800 rpm for full flow.

My "12" ton press came with a 2hp, 1800 rpm motor. If I understand correctly the 16 ton (and larger) is the same power pack except for a 5 hp, 3600 rpm motor. The 12, 16, and 25 ton presses all use the same hydraulic pump. The 3600 rpm speed allows the pump to move twice as much hydraulic fluid as the 1750 rpm motor.

If you have access to some steel, by all mean research building your own press. Not hard to do - with access to a good welder.

Later
 
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Ken H> said:
Yep, I've got a 12 ton "H" style Coal Iron press. It's not really a 12 ton unit, unless they've changed things. When I purchased the press I thought I was ordering a 12 ton press. Sad to say it came with a 3" cylinder spec'd to operate at 2250 psi which gives 9 tons. The pressure setting on my controls were adjusted to 2250 psi giving almost 8 ton. The flat dies are 1.5" X 3" so that's still a good bit of pressure per sq in allowing the low tonnage press to operate nicely. I called Coal Iron about the false advertising claiming 12 ton rather than the actual 9 ton (once I adjusted the pressure). They simple said "it works doesn't it?" and did mention the required 3.5" cylinder cost to much so they decided to use the 3" instead. I was VERY disappointed with their response.

I changed the cylinder to a 4" (which was cheaper than the 3.5"), even at 2,000 psi it's 12.5 ton which the frame handles nicely. Just for a test I did a 16 ton press and couldn't see any movement in the frame, but feel that might be too much so tend to use the lower pressure.

"IF" they have decided to use the 3.5" cylinder so you'll have an actual 12 ton, I wouldn't have a problem with.

On building the frame - "IF" you (or have access to a good welder) it's no problem building your own press. It's easy to follow the design - and plenty of sources online, YT, etc. A guy named "Red Beard" on YT has a really good press build. I think his is a 16 ton which seems to be the sweet spot for a press. It's best to have a 3600 rpm motor since most hydraulic pumps rated well above 1800 rpm for full flow.

My "12" ton press came with a 2hp, 1800 rpm motor. If I understand correctly the 16 ton (and larger) is the same power pack except for a 5 hp, 3600 rpm motor. The 12, 16, and 25 ton presses all use the same hydraulic pump. The 3600 rpm speed allows the pump to move twice as much hydraulic fluid as the 1750 rpm motor.

If you have access to some steel, by all mean research building your own press. Not hard to do - with access to a good welder.

Later
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Appreciate the response, I looked into the coal iron works and saw this whole mess and am kind of turned off by them now. I’m looking into Clark Iron Forge and their presses now. They have a 17 ton that is the same price as the coal iron works “12” ton.
 
I looked at the Clark Iron Forge and didn't see a 17 ton, the smallest was the 25 ton. When shopping for a press there are a few questions to ask, rpm of motor, GPM of pump at motor RPM, size of cylinder, and spec'd pressure the press operates at.
 
Ken H> said:
I looked at the Clark Iron Forge and didn't see a 17 ton, the smallest was the 25 ton. When shopping for a press there are a few questions to ask, rpm of motor, GPM of pump at motor RPM, size of cylinder, and spec'd pressure the press operates at.
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Yeah on his Facebook he posted the 17 and said he couldn’t get it on the site but it’s available. Found quite a few people vouching for the quality and didn’t see anyone with complaints. Seems to be fairly well known with a few big names owning his presses.
 
Don't let the number talk get to you about the Coal Iron presses. The 16ton units have great power and with the 5HP package will do almost anything you want. Even with the 2HP package they will do all a hobby maker wants. I've used a 16T and find it quite good.
 
Glenn Gilmore makes really nice presses and can build one for most any shop level metalworking use, His standard presses are impressive. His shop is in Montana if you want to search for his products. Really helpful guy and a good friend.

 
tomjav said:
Glenn Gilmore makes really nice presses and can build one for most any shop level metalworking use, His standard presses are impressive. His shop is in Montana if you want to search for his products. Really helpful guy and a good friend.
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Appreciate the recommendation, I’ll check them out.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Don't let the number talk get to you about the Coal Iron presses. The 16ton units have great power and with the 5HP package will do almost anything you want. Even with the 2HP package they will do all a hobby maker wants. I've used a 16T and find it quite good.
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I’m sure a 16 ton 2hp would be plenty for me. Think it’ll just come down to finding who has the best prices for what ya get. Clark iron seems to be the best price with solid customer reviews I’ve found so far, but I’m gonna continue digging into each one before I pull the trigger on anything.
 
You might want to call Clark. I don't see signs of activity on his site. No forges available and only two presses. Last price update was May last year. Maybe all is good, and he is busy?
 
A 16 ton press does seem to be the "sweet" spot for presses. A 2hp and 5 hp will put the same amount of pressure, just the 5 hp can do it so much faster. A 3 hp seems to be sufficient for decent speed with a 4" cylinder. Last time I checked it would cost around 1/2 price to build you own even with purchasing everything included steel for the frame - assuming you've got free labor for welding up the frame. As mentioned before, it will take a good welder
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
You might want to call Clark. I don't see signs of activity on his site. No forges available and only two presses. Last price update was May last year. Maybe all is good, and he is busy?
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I emailed him yesterday to ask about wait times and ips on the 17 ton, he got back to me pretty quick. He’s active on social medias and has mentioned he’s having trouble with his website. He exhibited at Texas select recently.
 
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