hydraulics

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So, I just got a hydraulic bead breaker for one of my other hobbys. It is run by an air over hydraulic Enerpac PA 1150 pump. I have for a long time been using a bottle jack in a ROUGH frame as a hydraulic press. I have been toying with the idea of making a good frame and using a hydraulic cyl 12" long with a 1.5" piston(already sitting in the parts stack). Then installing a fitting to match the Enerpac pump. That would give me a nice powered ram to "mash" stuff with. Now my question to you guys is, do you think it would be a good idea? I like the IDEA, but part of me thinks it might be better to stay with a manual pump as I can hear what is happening with the parts in the press. Sometimes, I wish I had more than one hand to hold parts in place. The Enerpac would give me 2 free hands as it is foot operated. Some tools are cool as heck, but miss the mark by a bit. What do yall think?
Reply:I'd watch the pressure rating on the cylinder. I think those enerpac pumps are capable of around 10KPSI. Unless the cylinder is rated for that kind of service and unless it's a press cylinder it probably isn't, you're setting youself up for a bang.I made a press awhile ago for a friend of mine and he bought the proper cylinder ( I think it was a 50 ton) and it was $2500. Make sure the hoses and fittings are the right ones also.They're a single acting cylinder as well, not double acting,  spring return ....Mike
Reply:Good point. I have a port-a-power kit, might use the cyl from that. I didn't add to the initial post that I was waiting for another air/hydraulic pump to show up that I won on flebay. I was worried that it would be DOA since I took a gamble on it. Well it showed up today and works great! The reason I am so happy is, it has a foot peddle to use, and/or the air-hydraulic. As mentioned in the OP, I do like the option to hear what I am working on. Guess all that is left to do is build a frame for my press! I know most production units are made of C channel. I have alot of I beams sitting here already. Think it would be too cobbled to use the I beams?
Reply:Think it would be too cobbled to use the I beams?
Reply:I like hand pump hydraulic presses because you get some feedback as to what is happening into the hand pump.  Bascially, you can feel the stuff breaking.  Powered hydraulics are for speed.  Hand pumps are for precision.
Reply:Ok, just got some .25 inch wall 2x3 tubing. I decided I am going to use 4"C channel for the sides, I have 4"x4" tube for the top and bottom, and the 2x3 for the adjustable "shelf". The 2x3 just fits in the C channel perfect, so now I will drill 1" holes every 8" in the C channel to support my shelf. I am thinking 24" wide to save on space, but my materials will allow 30"(2.5ft). Any reason(other than I will kick myself later) for not just going 24"? I plan to mostly use this to press apart and together automotive parts, but may bend some steel for fabricating parts.
Reply:IF you want to have a 24" press.....make it 30" wide.  The day will come when you wish you had an extra inch or two on one side or the other.  If you have the material, make it wide.  Just keep in mind that the wider you go, the stronger the table needs to be.  I hope you don't plan on going bigger than about 8-10 ton with that tubing......My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by gimpyrobbSo, I just got a hydraulic bead breaker for one of my other hobbys. . . .
Reply:IF you want to have a 24" press.....make it 30" wide
Reply:I dunno what tonnage I plan on using. I mostly will use it for pressing wheel studs in and out and Ujoint work. Nothing too serious I think. The Enerpac air over hydraulic unit will only run the hydraulic bead breaker I have. I have 3 military 6x6s with lock rings and using a hi-lift jack or slide hammer bead breaker is a pain. No way I'll sell it! Now that I have tested the "horrible freight" air over hydraulic unit and know it works, I will use it with the press. The nice thing is that it also has a foot pump so I can hear/feel the work in the press. If the frame ever bends, I'll build it bigger and better. Just using what is here as I am un-employed for a bit.