Building a press

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Been gathering steel for a press over the last few months just waiting for the right time to build one. Right now isn't really the right time as I'm pretty busy but I have to do control arm bushes in my car so might as well get to it.Have not bought anything for this yet except the bolts, so current cost is $16-Upright rails are 150x80mm C channel, 6mm thick main plate with 8mm taper edges-Load supporting beam is a massive piece of I beam, weights a metric **** load, its about 150x300mm-Feet are just some 100x80mm (I think) 6mm angle iron-Bed pins are 1 1/2" solid bar-The moving table that the jack pushes against are just some offcuts of C channel, haven't finished that yet.-Overall size is just a tad over 1.8m tall, 900mm wideThought it would be a good project to do with the stick welder. My mig is a bit small to do this work, and just need some practice.Is being used with a 20ton jack at the moment, but in the near future I hope to find a 50ton unit as I think the whole assembly will handle it. Bolts used to hold the top on are 8 x 1/2" high tensileBeen in a bit of a hurry with the build so haven't had a chance to take many pics, but here's a fewCheers,JohnEDIT: Sorry about metric measurements, just natural for me as that's what we use over here. Attached Images
Reply:Got some more progress done today. Have the bottom rail in to support the legs from bowing out and made the table up.All that's left is to finish drilling the holes for the pins and finish off the jack platform. Have to get some springs for that. Hopefully I'm doing everything right, seems to make sense to me. Any thoughts from anyone?Cheers,John Attached Images
Reply:That's a fair bit heavier than the press I made, I use a 20 tonne jack in mine and can't bend it, so going a bigger jack should be no problems.Great to see a project described in Metric so I can visualize it easily!Cheers Andrew
Reply:Caution...do not take press construction lightly. This photo shows what a "lousy" 20 ton jack can do. Luckily, I have lots of access to free guardrail posts and they lend themselves readily to these projects...but you've got to be on your toes adapting some of this stuff. Attached ImagesPOVERTY...is the Mother of InventionMillermatic 211Millermatic 140Miller Thunderbolt XLArcOne 100STS inverter w/TIGThermal Dynamics 38XL Victor Oxy/AcetyleneJancy Slugger Holemaker IIJet 5x6 BandsawNever enough time & sleep.
Reply:Here's a pic of the "cure". Haven't had any trouble since. Also, be sure to weld a capture ring ...(slice of pipe)...to capture the top of piston to prevent it from spitting out under load. Everything flat and perfectly level will help keep your teeth intact for another day... Attached ImagesPOVERTY...is the Mother of InventionMillermatic 211Millermatic 140Miller Thunderbolt XLArcOne 100STS inverter w/TIGThermal Dynamics 38XL Victor Oxy/AcetyleneJancy Slugger Holemaker IIJet 5x6 BandsawNever enough time & sleep.
Reply:Wow, what thickness was that beam?Yes going to weld a ring on to the top where the jack presses against to seat in. You kind of make me worried that I may have not done enough on the top piece? FODFA, I know how you feel. Its always a good feeling when you don't need to go convert measurements just to understand whats going on
Reply:Originally Posted by SMC WeldcraftCaution...do not take press construction lightly. This photo shows what a "lousy" 20 ton jack can do. Luckily, I have lots of access to free guardrail posts and they lend themselves readily to these projects...but you've got to be on your toes adapting some of this stuff.
Reply:Nice start on the press!. . Looks great so far!I've been searching the forum looking at different ones that members have built. . A press is on my to do list!Lookin' forward to seeing yours finished! Hobart Handler 190Hobart Spool-Gun 100Lincoln 225 ACMiller & Pipeliner HoodDewalt 14" Chopsaw, GrindersHarris O/AVictor TorchCustom Built O/A CartCustom Welding CartHeavy Duty 16 Speed Floor Drill PressPipe-BenderDrill Doctor
Reply:Originally Posted by roadkillbobbfyi. guard rail posts are made to bend and absorb a crash, they are not of the same steel that structural steel are made of...
Reply:Originally Posted by guerd87Wow, what thickness was that beam?Yes going to weld a ring on to the top where the jack presses against to seat in. You kind of make me worried that I may have not done enough on the top piece? FODFA, I know how you feel. Its always a good feeling when you don't need to go convert measurements just to understand whats going on
Reply:Originally Posted by SMC WeldcraftI would maybe capture that top horizontal beam between the verticals. That 20 ton will bulge the bottom flange where you have it bolted....surer than sh!t. I have had close calls using my press over the years and ...being stubborn...and not listening to the little voice in my head...I've had parts and pieces go me at the speed of light. I've gone so far as to put my hardhat on and a faceshield (over my safety glasses) ..when I got nervous about a particular squish. I actually have a friend who was knocked unconcious and found by his wife sleeping on the floor near his press with unsightly damage to his bean.
Reply:Better yet ...run the stiffeners full length from top to bottom..instead of triangles. Ideally, weld in stiffeners in 5 spots across the header ....while you're at it. Would have saved my original header. Just sayin'.POVERTY...is the Mother of InventionMillermatic 211Millermatic 140Miller Thunderbolt XLArcOne 100STS inverter w/TIGThermal Dynamics 38XL Victor Oxy/AcetyleneJancy Slugger Holemaker IIJet 5x6 BandsawNever enough time & sleep.
Reply:Maybe it's just me, but I'd be careful with those 1/2" bolts under tension like that! That's why presses often use the bolts in a shear position. For example:Andrew
Reply:Originally Posted by Andrew_DMaybe it's just me, but I'd be careful with those 1/2" bolts under tension like that! That's why presses often use the bolts in a shear position. For example:Andrew
Reply:Now I'm confused and am not sure what to do.Went for a walk at the tool shop yesterday and had a look around. Some 20ton presses are using 12mm 8.8s in shear position, 30ton unit is welded to the side of the uprights, one 50 ton was welded and the other was 1"bolts in shear position.Ive got no idea about this sort of stuff but I done a little searching, M12 8.8 are suppose to have a working load of around 4.5ton. This is not the maximum force to break, but the force which can be applied all the time without damage to the bolts.8 bolts = 36ton as long as the load is pulling on all the bolts equal.I'm hesitant about this now and am looking into other options. I price some more C channel up, about $30 per/m  and need 2 pieces and maybe upgrade the bolts as well?John
Reply:John,There's lots that can be done to your design for strenth.Like you mentioned, make sure you have QUALITY bolts (know where they came from) plus you can go up to a class 12.9.  Also, don't know if this needs mentioning, but fine threads would be the way to go.Another addition would be to fab end plates, fully welded to the top I beam, that extend down the sides of the frame a ways.Hey also, those "triangle' pieces, even if fully extended between the top and bottom of the I beam, wouldn't keep it from bending where it will bend, or add strength to the bolted area.  Move the pieces inward above the jack, and it may help.  Boxing it above the jack would be better, but maybe overkill.  Think about the direction and application of force.And to answer your question; No, I'm not an engineer....but I do like to play doctor on occasion Last edited by dubl_t; 03-08-2013 at 12:38 PM.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:My old Continental press is rated for 30T, and I have a good 30T jack on it. It still has buckled pressing out some big bearings. The plate the jack pushes on is 3/4" thick!Lincoln Precision Tig 185Lincoln Power Mig 256Hypertherm PM 45Everlast 140STSmith O/A
Reply:Manning,post a pic of the whole top assembly if you would please.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:I'll get a few shots tomorrow morning. Anything you're looking for specifically?Lincoln Precision Tig 185Lincoln Power Mig 256Hypertherm PM 45Everlast 140STSmith O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by manningI'll get a few shots tomorrow morning. Anything you're looking for specifically?
Reply:when using bolts in shear, be sure threads of bolt are clear of any stress,only untheraded portion of bolt under load. chanse