HammerMonkey

Another beautiful knife Templehound! Very nice. I also like that the pocket clip is positioned "correctly".

Lol... Don't misunderstand me. I most certainly am not considering building something flimsy. I just was musing on the differences between these presses and asking if someone had an explanation for the dichotomy in design. To me, the difference in the design of the "Very Best" shop presses, vs our forging presses of the same tonnage, is extreme. When I take on a project to build something, my OCD really kicks in and I am the poster child for over-engineering/building. lol

No argument about HF quality (or lack thereof) But, as I stated before: " ...he (My friend) said the more expensive presses, that were of the same class as his, were not built substantially different..." To this point, here is a picture of a couple of highly rated 20 ton Hydraulic presses that, from what I see, are probably made of the size and type of material that is typical for this rating of manual hydraulic press. In fact, I cannot find a picture of a manual 20 ton hydraulic H frame press that is built anything like the forging presses we see being built and or sold for blacksmithing. So, do you think it is purely the number of cycles & repetition that drives the significant design differences? I am not sure... I am not an engineer, but I have worked building, inspecting and testing large commercial aircraft for over 30 years. I know a little about weight, structure, high cycles, and fatigue. Specifically, strong & efficient (often light weight) design are usually more robust than beefy structure alone. If this were not true, airplanes would never get off the ground due to the weight of the iron girders they would have to be made of. Any other thoughts or experience?

I am in the planning phase for building my hydraulic powered forging press still. I have Jim Batson's book and I have looked at several builds posted here and elsewhere. I was talking with a friend recently and mentioned that I was planning this build and looking for a place to source some steel I beams sized per Mr Baston's recommendations, and what I see others using for their presses, found in my research. My friend asked me what size press I wanted to build. I told him 18 to 20 tons in an H frame configuration. He wondered why I wanted to use such chunky large I beams if that was all of the capacity I would be using. He walked me over to his Harbor Freight 20 ton hydraulic press and showed me how lightly it was built. He postulated that there should be no difference from a manual hydraulic press, to a motor driven hydraulic pump powered press of the same capacity... he said the more expensive presses that were of the same class as his were not built substantially different. Here is a pic of his type of press. it weighs only 165 lbs or so and is made of relatively light channel and angle iron. No I beams anywhere.. It actually looks quite flimsy IMO. Even the 50 ton version is built similarly... No I beams, just channel and angle iron... and 100,000 lb capacity. I am sure that there must be a reason for the necessity of larger heavier components used in powered hydraulic forging presses... Can anyone help me with understanding why this would be? Thanks, Scott

Bought tanks for me too (in Washington State). They are always exchanged for full tanks. No rental charges, no HST date issues, no maintenance/wear/damage issues, and no paperwork ever needed. Easy peasy...

I saw the runes in the pic, but my old Norse is a bit rusty...

Very cool JAV! Here's a suggestion for an inscription to go above above the gates - "All hope abandon ye who enter here." Dante Alighieri -1321AD

Tiny anvil... or REALLY huge split trees?

hahaha, I like it Das! very nicely executed.

The handle shape is elegant. And the feather pattern is simply stunning! Very well done sir.

Nice looking work space Aus! I really like the brick floor and stone forge. I may build something similar in my expanded shop this spring. I gave up on coal, and also burn lump charcoal for my current solid fuel forge.

You're welcome David. I totally agree, experience, knowledge, and skill are what counts. And she certainly possesses these.. No worries Jennifer! I also really appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge and help. Your excellent videos and posts here have helped me so much.

Yeah... I'd say he's probably already figured it out...

First, she's no dude! And yes, she certainly can swing a hammer as skillfully as anyone I've ever watched.

Hey... I do bathe! Once a month, whether I need it or not.

Aww man Das, now you made my back start to itch! I’m going to have to make one now as well, i really like the stump anvil too. Very clever design to have a fuller mode like that. Nice work!

Very nice workspace Hans!

I came across this Carolina 10 inch horizontal band saw for $60 bucks recently and couldn't pass it up. It has a coolant oil sump & pump that works and comes with 5 gallons of cutting oil/coolant.The motor is good and it cuts, but needs a general cleaning, a new blade, and the hydraulic downfeed cylinder is shot (circled part). a new downfeed cylinder costs somewhere between $120 and $150 from what I see (if the parts I am seeing for sale will actually fit this saw). Is it possible to rebuild the cylinder, put new seals in it and such? Or could I make something from a small hydraulic cylinder that will work? Maybe something like these? I find these saws are typically selling for $300-$500, and they look just as used/dirty. But, I've also seen a few that have been refurbished and look really nice. Like this... I am happy. If I get it working well, it will help me cut up some big forklift tines I have.

uh oh...

I had a friend beg me to make a heart trinket for him after he saw the simple little one I made for Olivia. He wants to give it to his wife for their anniversary... I told him that he better attach it to something really nice or he'll be in deep trouble! lol. I made this one a little more symmetrical than the first one, and got another twist in the leafy parts.

Nice work Hans. If my wife sees these pics... I guess I'll be learning to make giant dragonflies too... lol

Be well brother Frosty!

Glad things are going well. Didn't see this till now. Thoughts and prayers going out.

I like it. Looks like a handy little skinner. While they can be hit or miss, (or maybe just mostly miss) I have seen some HC spike knives that get hard enough to hold an edge and have good utility. Nice job!