Hydraulic press build question

[handirifle]

I am thinking of building a hydraulic press for my shop work. I have a 110v 1hp cap start (might be cap run too but haven't looked at it in a long time) motor and am wondering what kind of press I could build around it?

Would it be better to just get a harbor freight one?

 

[MikeD74T]

Generally speaking, piston size determines the capacity of a press, motor determines speed of operation. You can have a small fast press or a large slow one with that motor. You need to match a pump to the motor then match the pressure/volume of the pump to the ram to determing speed & power. The fact that you have to ask this question means you've got a lot of research ahead of you to build. If time is a consideration buying might better suit you. MikeD74T

 

[Gary Fowler]

I saw that HF has one on sale now. I couldnt believe the price which looked to include the jack. I dont know how heavy duty it is, but I thought at the time, I cant build that from scrap for that price.

 

[LD1]

I assume you mean a shop press. Like the 20T ones with the bottle jack, only you want to use the motor right?????

Well, unless you use a press ALOT, you are probabally going to spend more than building one around your motor than the HF one would cost. (or build one and just use a bottle jack).

Because If you want it powered with the motor, now you will need the additional:

Pump..............~$60
Coupler............~$10
Cylinder...........~$80
Valve..............~$80
Hoses.............~$30

Those prices are just guesses. But you are already OVER $250, and we havent even talked about the frame yet:confused2:

Not trying to discourage you. But like I said, unless you absolutly need an electric powered press and use it alot, it doesnt seem too cost effective.

If you have some steel laying around, and plan on building the frame, a $50 20 ton bottle jack from harbor freight would make more sense than the above

 

[J_J]

This .5 HP pump can build up pressure to 5000 psi at 40 cu. in./min.

ENERPAC Hyd Electric Pump, 1.5 Gal, .5 HP, 5000 PSI

Hyd Electric Pump, 1.5 Gal, .5 HP, 5000 PSI - High Force Hydraulic Electric Pumps - Pumps - 5UXC5 : Grainger Industrial Supply

How about just plugging this air jack into your air supply and have ready to go power.

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Hydraulic-Pneumatic-Bottle-Heavy-Motor/dp/B003W059K6[/ame]

 

[DJNebraska]

Do you have air available? If so you can use an air/hydraulic pump like this one...
Hydraulicstore.com BVA PA1500

Maybe use it with a single acting 10000 PSI cylinder too. Like this one...
Hydraulicstore.com BVA H1004

They have lots of other cylinder sizes too...all the way up to 500 ton.
Hydraulicstore.com BVA Cylinders

I've used some of their hollow bore cylinders in the past to remove a pivot bearing on some CAT equipment I worked on.

 

[handirifle]

Sorry for the delayed response. Yes i do have air,it will be in my shop. This is for a self only (ie. Not production) bullet swaging press, and whatever else might present itself.

It looks like, the HF one might be better, maybe upgrade the bottle to the air assist later for more speed, does that sound about right?

Thanks for honest feedback. A lot of my ideas end up like this. Sometime i can save a lot of money, like the cabinets and drawer bases for my shop, i built those and saved about 50%. Not so in this case i guess.

 

[wdchyd]

Another good reason for a manually operated (jack) press is the ability to tweek a part carefully without just giving the boots to it....BAAAANG

I use a 75T manual press ar work and wouldn't have it any other way.....safer in the long run.....

Although if you are going to do some type of production work then elec or air has it's advantages too...

 

[handirifle]

Another good reason for a manually operated (jack) press is the ability to tweek a part carefully without just giving the boots to it....BAAAANG

I use a 75T manual press ar work and wouldn't have it any other way.....safer in the long run.....

Although if you are going to do some type of production work then elec or air has it's advantages too...

Good points, and good argument to start with the manual and then SEE if I need the assisted later.

Thanks everyone.

 

[JackDWaller]

Here's another experience. Years back I bought an old "shear press" from government surplus. It had been used to determine strengths of materials at the university. I took the pieces and reconfigured them on a frame on legs on castors.

The frame is 4x6 x 1/8 tubing and a 4x8 I-beam above (ram sits under this and can slide across to wherever is handiest). I made a platin of two pieces of separated 2x6 channel iron. The vertical frame part can be positioned forward or back on the 4x6 tube legs that rest on castors. The platin can be located up or down using 1" dia pins. At the time I was straightening bumpers for rechroming and wanted the width - about 6'. Of course I was doing relatively light work not bending 1/2" steel plate so that's a whole different kettle of fish.

The frame was configured as an I beam hoist that I could drive under, for lifting engines or the front or back of a car that was being restored. When not needed I just roll it away to straddle a car that is parked for a rainy day restoration. The platin stands in a corner because I find the hoist function to be more useful most of the time.

But here is really what I wanted to add. The press has an adjustable pressure relief so I could dial up just how much push I wanted to give a dent. I found that to be a handy feature. The ram is a double acting short stroke 4" diameter and I have a 1/2hp motor which I will upgrade to 1 hp soon. Being able to press and release with a lever is better than pumping a jack from my experience.

When I built my shop I configured the ram to operate above the I beam, and with a long levered arm and flimsy pivoting rack lifted all the 4'x10' sheets of drywall tight to the ceiling. Worked like a charm and I was a 1 man crew with a finger on a lever easily positioning the sheets for the whole ceiling (26'x36'). I was really tickled with that! When finished I just recycled the pieces.

I'd post a pic but unfortunately my camera has developed a problem.

Jack