How do you use your shop press?

[scoops]

I also have the hf 20 ton. I think its on sale right now for about $169

There is a company that sells a brake press die for about $150, so for about $300 you have something that can bend 3/8" they also have a hd die than can bend up to 1/2" I think, but you are really pressing the limits of the hf.
company is called swag offroad.

 

[slowzuki]

BIL used to have 20 ton at his work, I maxed it out all the time. No where near enough juice for tractor sized stuff!

 

[lostcause]

if you're the type that builds or fixes things regularly, then an ironworker would be one of the handiest pieces of machinery around. problem is, unless you use one every day, it's not really a cost effective tool. sure there are some old used ones out there for cheap money, but they are generally massive, and myself, i don't have the floor space to donate to one. not to mention, the good deals i see are usually 2000 miles away or more, so even going to look at it is not practical, let alone bringing it home. there are nice small ones geared toward home shop size operations, but they are all newer and will generally run you several thousand dollars with tooling.

the good thing here is that an ironworker is really not much more than a glorified shop press. you can use most any shop press and build/buy dies that will make it punch, bend, and shear metal like an ironworker. the limit is the capacity of the hydraulics. you can sometimes find used ironworker tooling on places like ebay for cheap prices, and rework if to fit into your shop press.

 

[Diamondpilot]

When I built my log splitter I built it to use as a shop press also via a pin on adapter. It has worked well for me. Just back the tractor up close, hook up the remotes, and off to work.

To be honest I have had it for 5 years and only used it 2-3 times but it was a life saver each of them.

Chris

 

[BHD]

when using a press for pressing bearings and shafts out and other things like that,
when you start getting some pressure on things, make sure your in a safe area, and have eye protection, things can explode and if some thing gives it can shoot things with a lot of force, when your pushing 40,000 or 60,000 or more pounds on things, there is a some built up energy and if things go, it can be hazardous to your health,

use some common sense and your brain,

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Mine's just a 12 ton but I get good use out of it. I did bend some 1x1 HRS with it for my toothbar.

 

[Baby Grand]

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

Another attachment!

when using a press for pressing bearings and shafts out and other things like that,
when you start getting some pressure on things, make sure your in a safe area, and have eye protection, things can explode and if some thing gives it can shoot things with a lot of force, when your pushing 40,000 or 60,000 or more pounds on things, there is a some built up energy and if things go, it can be hazardous to your health,

use some common sense and your brain,

Yes, I have had a few occaisions when using my HF20T when I wished I had built some sort of containment cage. I ususally stand right behind the vertical I-beam and hope the bank shot doesn't get me.

-Jim

 

[bobodu]

Don't have a press at present but I have this big vise I made!! I can beak down Ram 4x4 tires in it.
Need to get a modern picture of it someday...
Yes...that is a FIVE gallon bucket.

 

[suncoast]

I used to think a vise or concrete floor and a sledge hammer was good enough. But I truly knew it wasn't. Take a look at Larry G.'s projects. I knew I had to get one then if I wanted any decent results. This is a 35 ton air over and it will do more than anything I have ever needed.
A piece of "C" channel with flat stock welded on the end makes a great female die portion. Larry made an anvil for me that fits over the round press shaft. I have bent 1/2" x 4" flat with no problem. This press gets used constanly.
I am so glad to be out of the stone hammer age. Gene

 

[HCJtractor]

Nice looking piece of equipment!!! Do you have a press brake? I am thinking about getting one from Northern (also looked at the Swag) Don't you have to use one to bend flat stock?