Hydraulic press build

[AndyStobbs]

Finally made a start building my press. I got the basic frame a while ago, its been in the corner of my workshop for long enough. So far I've only welded the feet on - will get some pictures up tomorrow.
I am wondering though, what is the average height for a press as this frame is shorter than some.
All will become clearer with a picture, but I'm debating whether to put it on a bit of a frame to raise it.

 

[AndyStobbs]

The sides are made from 150x75x6mm MS channel
It currently stands 1420mm from floor to top of frame.
The width between legs is 600mm

My plan is to let in an RSJ to the top and weld it in position, so that the top flange of the RSJ is flush with the present top of the legs. Then mount a 30T air bottle jack upside down in a way that it can traverse the full width of the press - in future a second identical jack could be added to enable forming of thicker metal with appropriate dies.

Now with the height, 1420mm is small to begin with, then by the time there is an rsj let in thats going to be less again. I could mount the RSJ ontop of the frame but it will make attaching it all the more difficult.

Either way I think the feet need sitting on a box - perhaps this could be used to store dies and the hydraulic oil reservoir - to raise it to a comfortable working height.

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Mines about 2m, if you could mount the jack in a cradle so it's bulk is above the top of the frame it would allow use of the whole frame not just that under the jack. I wouldn't want it moving, keep it dead centre and keep the bit your pressing dead centre or you may buckle the frame with an uneven load. Two rams would be a big benefit.

Dan

 

[gulf]

Try that the bottle jack works upside down before welding the mountings for it..some dont

 

[AndyStobbs]

Try that the bottle jack works upside down before welding the mountings for it..some dont

I will modify it as rqd. Never fear.

 

[Welderpaul]

An 'rsj' could be welded to the top of your channels ok. Add some flat plate 'straps' to add a bit of extra meat if needed.

 

[AndyStobbs]

An 'rsj' could be welded to the top of your channels ok. Add some flat plate 'straps' to add a bit of extra meat if needed.

Taken on board. Been and got some more steel. I hate going to scrap yards to buy things, I always seem to end up with more ideas for projects than I started out with.

Got a UC approx 150x150 looks to be somewhere around 25kg/metre. Length of channel for the table. Small amount of plate for side straps, and a huge bolt to make the pins from - finally an excuse to use the lathe.

They had a big slab of steel in there. I nearly got that too for making dies for a rotary draw bender I'm planning.

 

[Welderpaul]

It will be 152x152x23. Plenty man enough for the job at that length.

 

[AndyStobbs]

I started looking at the channel thinking - I could use this for the legs instead and turn the existing 'press frame' into the table.
All getting a bit over specified though for 30T

 

[gulf]

I started looking at the channel thinking - I could use this for the legs instead and turn the existing 'press frame' into the table.
All getting a bit over specified though for 30T

No harm in over engineering lol,standing beside a full 30 ton pressing on something is pretty nerve wracking the first few times you use it!

 

[octo0072000]

I started looking at the channel thinking - I could use this for the legs instead and turn the existing 'press frame' into the table.
All getting a bit over specified though for 30T

put two jacks on it 60 ton still man enough by the look of the Clarke 60 ton ones

 

[AndyStobbs]

What's the general opinion then, stick with the old frame or create a new even heavier frame from the larger channel?