DIY tools for hydraulic press

[Chris152]

We have one of the Clarke bench-top 10 ton hydraulic presses and want to learn to use it for metal forming. We've not tried to use it for that yet, and looking at the price of commercial dies etc it looks like if we do, we'll be making them ourselves.

What kind of diy tools and operations are possible using a press like ours? Can you post pics to show what tooling you've made and how it's used?

Thanks, Chris

 

[gaz1]

ive used mine for all sorts already

a press brake
with 2 dies you can create shapes like a bead roller does
splitting wood logs

 

[zzr1200]

Most of my press tooling comes out of the scrap bin, sometimes I'll turn up a set of dies for dimpilling/flaring holes in sheet to add strength.

Depending on the radius you want, a short length of small U channel and a bit of bar stock will nicely bent a bit of 6mm plate if your press is up to it.....

 

[fizzy]

I was astonished as well - 3d printed press tooling
Obviously thin stuff and low pressure.

 

[Erie Fred]

We have one of the Clarke bench-top 10 ton hydraulic presses and want to learn to use it for metal forming. We've not tried to use it for that yet, and looking at the price of commercial dies etc it looks like if we do, we'll be making them ourselves.

What kind of diy tools and operations are possible using a press like ours? Can you post pics to show what tooling you've made and how it's used?

Thanks, Chris

First thing, dig up a standard press brake tonnage chart (they are online everywhere) study it and understand
what it is telling you.

Then, using your 10 ton limit, figure out just what you want to do, and if you can do it with your limited tonnage.

 

[gaz1]

there is the swag reference

battery tray hammer forming then hydraulic press forming/swagging

 

[Chris152]

Thanks fellas - that's a great start to get us going.

I checked the price on the SWAG kit, that's a lot of money and it doesn't look so complex.

 

[daedalusminos]

I think I've shared this before so apologies if people have already viewed it. Well under 5T

 

[fatfranky]

I like the ingenuity of this one, he has a few similar ones