Larry H Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 anyone have any ideas on buying an ironworker machine ? Any brands to stay away from ?......best for the money ? parts availability ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old N Rusty Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 I have been studying this very same subject for a while and so far the Piranha 75 ton model is the most highly recommended. It has a press function that I might find useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbruce Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 I have had an Edwards 55 ton since1994, I like it fine and it has a press function as well......The Piranha is a high end machine and probly worth the bux, if you got em'........There are lots of ironworkers at ebay to compare........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JNewman Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 I have been looking at ironworkers as well I checked out a number of machines at the big machinery show in Toronto last month. The Piranha seems to be one of the pricier machines and the dies seem to change fairly easily.one The one thing one of the salesmen from one of the other dealers mentioned was how their punching was a straight line punch as opposed to some that punch on an arc. He claimed that was important for punching square holes to prevent punch breakage. I noticed the Piranha punches on an arc. Does anyone know if this is actually important or just salesmanship? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 I have a 40 ton scotchman with a punch and shear seems like a good machine got it used had it for less than a year. Very simple easy to use for the most part scotchman has very good customer service also. I also have a 20 to rogers press shear. I mostly use it to punch channel and shear small flat bar stock for scrolls. Its fast something like 58 cuts a min. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 I have occasionally used a 65 ton Scotchman for the last five years or so. They are solid machines, with good customer support and lots of options available. Still made in the US, last time I checked. Punch arc only becomes a problem with thicker metal, you will never notice it under a quarter inch. Above that, you may experience more sticking and die clearance problems. Lube is your friend when punching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Sculpture Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 I bought my Metal Muncher because of the large table under the punch. With 100 tons I can bend 4" square bar cold. The way the shear operates is less than desired with no foot control or auto return, although this can be modified with some clever linkage. Here is link to a 35 ton which is a bit different than the larger ones.http://youtu.be/g1BfPydlP7Y Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 I am a Metal Muncher man as well.... I have owned a Edwards and a Piranha and neither where near the machine the Metal Muncher is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old N Rusty Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Let us refine this discussion beyond brand names, I am deciding upon present use and planned expansion of work , on the Piranha 75 ton , because the teacher at the high school welding told me a 50 ton would be insufficient , He also told me how it was destroyed by the students in a very short time, and replaced by a 100 ton Piranha. I do not have an unlimited equipment budget like schools do, and want to buy an ironworker one time only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Sculpture Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 My decision was also made because of a limiting budget. I bought used and local, a machine of that size has to be moved/shipped which I did myself. Piranha is one of the most expensive machines out there and wasn't in my price range even used! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWHII Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I have a 55ton sold by Cleveland Tool also made by Edwards. This machine has served me very well for 5 years. I bought it brand new for $5600.00 and it came with a set of punches 1/4" thru 11/8". I too, purchased it because of budget. I have worked alot with Pirahnas and think they are a very good machine. I have a friend here, who has the 35 ton metal muncher ( who hardly uses it) in the video posted and have to admit, If I had to buy another this would be the one I would buy, but would like the 65 ton model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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