How do you use your shop press?

[HCJtractor]

Just getting into metal fabrication and wondered what uses work well on a press. ( In tems of bending material, punching holes, etc.) How useful are they, how big does it need to be, and what thickness metal can you bend? What accessories are required? I have seen them but never seen one in operation and would like to learn more about their use. Pictures of how you have used them would be even nicer! Thanks

 

[chad22]

The press that my dad bought has come in handy.

I used it to bend the metal for my backhoe bucket, I use it like a vise. I was once breaking an old brass valve off a galvanized pipe and used the press to hold it in place so I could break the pipe loose. It worked fantastic.

I also used the press to hold some metal in place while I cut it.

Oh and I once used it as a log splitter until I started bending it and had to stop. :laughing:

Chad

 

[BHD]

I have a twenty ton unit (hydraulic jack),

and have made some dies, and have bent a lot of items, some curves with the die made out of a heavy pipe one a 2" and one a 6" some is heavy 1/2 thick but only a few inches wide and on light things up to the width of the frame, up to 16 gage, some 10 gage, some is making the correct die,

I have a break die that I can do a 90 degree reasonably sharp bend, (about 1/8 on 16 gage.

It is very slow, and at times difficult to get things to bend where you want them to bend, (especially in curves), but it make a very professional look to some projects,

 

[Pete6114]

I have a 20 ton as well. I do not use mine that much but when i do, i am wishing i had foot operated air assist Pumping that handle gets old real quick and keeps both hands free.

 

[Wheatland KB]

i am wishing i had foot operated

Great tip. I hadn't thought of that but that is next on the list.

To the OP My FIL has had great success straigtening bumbers on his 32 ton. People come to his place from miles around to get their bent bumpers back in shape.

 

[slowzuki]

I miss the 50 ton we had at the shop. I just bought a little 12 ton for home but its not really big enough to do anything. I've got a bunch of wide flange and an air over hydro pump I'd like to make a larger one with but I'd need to rent a mag drill.

 

[HCJtractor]

I miss the 50 ton we had at the shop. I just bought a little 12 ton for home but its not really big enough to do anything. I've got a bunch of wide flange and an air over hydro pump I'd like to make a larger one with but I'd need to rent a mag drill.

The reason I asked is that i found a used 30 ton for sale locally for a pretty good price and being a tool junkie, I am going to buy it. I hope it is big enough to bend some 3/16 to 3/8. I guess I will have to buy one of those bendy devices from Northern that go with the press.

As far as those mag drills, those look pretty handy also. I was looking at those yesterday (along with a metal blade chop saw) too many tools, not enough money!!

 

[dfkrug]

I don't know what the 30T deal is, but I bought the 20T HF for under
$200 years ago. I straighten bent hyd rods, press bearings in and out,
bend thick brackets (5/8") and other parts for steel fab. Etc, etc. I
have a home-made brake for it, too.

A tool like this is essential for most home workshops.

That said, sometimes I wish it had air-assist, but other times, I need the
fine control using the lever. I have a 20T air-assist jack that I use
separately, and you do not have the same feel or control using it in
air mode.

If I did it over, I would buy the HF 35T or 50T unit for the bigger work
platform, and the crank-control for raising the platform. Air control would
be good, as long as I have manual override. I have maxed out my 20T,
but not too often.

 

[Soundguy]

only press I have is a 2 ton arbor press.. but it's been great for seating seals and bearings in small assemblies.. or pins into recesses in small assemblies.. etc.

soundguy

 

[wvpolekat]

In theory, couldn't you hook your press to your tractor remotes?