Questions about ironworkers...

[jwmorris]

Hydraulic machines are a lot slower than mechanical but either will hurt you if you have body parts in the wrong place. The mechanicals work pretty much the same as inertia punch presses and are fine with OSHA. You scrap the guards and safety controls on either and they would be a no go.

I do like the centering capability on one of the mechanicals that I have. It will also shear any length material, any width and makes punching long slots easy.

Here is a video of how the punch end works.

 

[varmint]

Just search on TbN for 4shorts and ironworker, and you will find some great video links to his ironworker. Looks like a super useful machine, if you work with metal. I wish I had one, but only about 3 or 4 times a year. More realistically, access to one.

 

[Kernopelli]

I have seen a ton of units on Ebay and occasionally see various brand 45-50 ton for $3k +/- . Locally, Scotchman seems to have the market and used units sell high..... almost new price. I would love to have an ironworker but can't justify the prices I have seen. I too would go with Edwards if buying new ( I hardly ever see a used Edwards for sale), they seem to have the best balance of price, quality and functions.

 

[yomax4]

Low cost good quality 1ph look also at Uni-Hydro.

 

[nwngunner]

For the money a plasma table would be better. Unless your doing a ton of work I think an iron worker isn't worth it. With a 4x4 plasma table with cnc you can do a lot more. Not saying that I don't want one, because I do. Just think a plans a table would be more usefully. That is unless you are bending a lot of plate then a iron worker with a break would be usefull

 

[jakescia]

I appreciate the comments----- thanks.

 

[Arc weld]

For the money a plasma table would be better. Unless your doing a ton of work I think an iron worker isn't worth it. With a 4x4 plasma table with cnc you can do a lot more. Not saying that I don't want one, because I do. Just think a plans a table would be more usefully. That is unless you are bending a lot of plate then a iron worker with a break would be usefull

A plasma table and an ironworker are about as polar opposite as you can get. Each machine has different applications. If you want to cut shapes and plate a plasma table would be great. You want to cut structural steel and punch holes, an ironworker is a much better choice. Would be nice to have both but not affordable for most.

 

[Rustyiron]

I wouldn't trade 10 plasma cutters for my ironworker! Lately I wouldn't trade my old o/a torches for a plas. either but that's another story.:duh:
Don't let a used 3ph. unit scare you, 3ph. converters are no big deal anymore. IMHO, my 55t Edwards is the BEST addition to my shop since my mag drill.