I want to buy a press for forging. I am thinking of a getting friction screw press. These seem hard to come by. I am open to hydraulic presses as well. I would like to get the most flexible machine. Any opinions. I currently have a wimpy powered hydraulic press putting out about 10 tons it is useful even at that power.
thanks
Tim

Hey Tim I think we talked around the first of the year. I sold my large friction press but I still have a #8 Z & H for 3700

Hey Tim I think we talked around the first of the year. I sold my large friction press but I still have a #8 Z & H for 3700

How many ton?

Thats Buck's little brother

80 tons about?

$3,700!!!!! Are you crazy? Actually sounds like a really good price, decent looking machine. I sure love mine. Have you seen some of my videos?

I have seen your video. I have been quietly studying up on the subject. I actually do a little bit of production tool forging, I am looking to go the next step. I mostly make silversmiths tools. I am looking to make a move within the next 3 months or so.

Good running machine, guessing around 6000 lbs. you can drop the two side wheels to center the weight.

Hmm, I could get that hauled here for around $1,500.00. And I'd still be into it less than I've ever seen a machine that size go for. Hmm..............

I thought you were helping me?

First come, first served! LOL

Naw, I got more machines than I can sell to Larry now.

Does the ram on a friction screw press automatically retract when you lift off the control?

Does the ram on a friction screw press automatically retract when you lift off the control?

Yes.

I have a Z&h no.5, a no.7 and a no.12 for sale. I also have a nice Osterwalder for sale. It is between a z&h 10 and 12 in power. I am not a dealer. I just don't need them anymore. Nice machines. At one point, I also had a no.10 and no.8 1/2. I'll post pictures later today.
John

I would love to see pictures

I would love to see pictures

Me too.

I have a Z&h no.5, a no.7 and a no.12 for sale. I also have a nice Osterwalder for sale. It is between a z&h 10 and 12 in power. I am not a dealer. I just don't need them anymore. Nice machines. At one point, I also had a no.10 and no.8 1/2. I'll post pictures later today.
John

I am interested in the #12

Ric

What are the approximate tonnage ratings of these presses?

I have some old Z&H literature. It goes like this. Z&H rate the press as the square of the number. 5=25 ton, #7=50 ton, #8 1/2=75ton,
#10=100 ton, #12=150 ton. The tonnage is somewhat(a small fraction) adjustable by stacking hardened plates under the die. The percussion press hits hardest on the last fraction of the drive wheel. Here are some pictures of the machines I have left. I love them like my dogs!My dogs take up less room!
John
Asking price is as follows: Z&H #5-$900, #7-$1,900, #12- $3,500 , Osterwalder 125-$4,000

I had it in my mind that I would get a press in the 50 ton range. Any opinions as to what would be best for general forge work? I rarely work anything over 2" but why should I limit my self? I am open to anyones opinion.

I had it in my mind that I would get a press in the 50 ton range. Any opinions as to what would be best for general forge work? I rarely work anything over 2" but why should I limit my self? I am open to anyones opinion.

Grant is the one to answer that question with a friction press.

I have a 45 ton hydraulic press..you can see some videos on my site (lower down on the "videos to watch" section) if you wish to have a look.
With a 1" fuller I can pinch in half 2" square mild steel at welding heat. It will not do much to thinner material though as it takes about 8 ton per square inch to really "move" something..more is better.

Ric

Now we just need some prices!

Now we just need some prices!

Witch one would you get price aside?

THE BIG ONE!

Perhaps someone can answer this for me. It seems that a lot of the fly presses and friction screw presses I have seen for sale (ebay, cl, etc.) seem to be located in the Rhode Island area.

Am I just imagining this higher incidence? Or are there really more presses in this area? If so, why would that be? Is/was there a specific industry in that area that utilized these presses?

Perhaps someone can answer this for me. It seems that a lot of the fly presses and friction screw presses I have seen for sale (ebay, cl, etc.) seem to be located in the Rhode Island area.

Am I just imagining this higher incidence? Or are there really more presses in this area? If so, why would that be? Is/was there a specific industry in that area that utilized these presses?

You are not imagining it. They were used in jewelry manufacturing with coining or stamping dies. I believe most of the fly-presses I've used had tags from Gold Machinery in Rhode Island.