Welding Tips and Tricks

Just finished assembly of my newly built hydraulic press break that I had apart for paint. Finally done with it but as per usual a few tweaks will be needed. I purchased the "heavy duty finger break kit from Swag Off Road and decided I did not want the infamous Harbor freight special ( 20 ton press ) to make it fly, I wanted a bench top unit and I built one to fit my space! Using rollers to allow for no slop on down stroke and or return. Return springs could be a little stronger on return but nothing to worry about, it bends metal and that is what I intend for it to do

You've done an awesome job on the press. You're gonna have some fun with it for sure!

Very nice job. I want one!

I'm formulating a hair-brained scheme to make my own one of these things. I have the basic structural pieces and just need to jam the ideas together.

Mick

weldin mike 27 wrote:I'm formulating a hair-brained scheme to make my own one of these things. I have the basic structural pieces and just need to jam the ideas together.

Mick

When you do please post some pics. I'm thinking the same thing.

May I strongly suggest visiting some press break tonnage tables before you build. Press breaks consume considerable force to make decent bends, and require proper frames.

A handy upgrade is to swap out the pump jack with a 20 ton air jack with a foot pedal control. With my Big Red floor model the jack just slips into the guides and done other than a bit of plumbing for the control. Much easier with 2 hands lining up the stock.

Pics. we want pics.

handy tonnage chart
http://www.americanmachinetools.com/pressure_table.htm

Coldman wrote:Pics. we want pics.

Trying to post pics but have new phone and not working out. My sons coming over tomorrow to try to straighten it out.

Nice job Brad, that will come in real handy for sure..

Coldman wrote: Re: Hydraulic Press Break

This is a real simple way I converted my 20 ton pump jack press to an air jack. Some presses might not be quite as simple but well worth the effort. Dies had working edges ground down and built up with hard surface and dressed with zerconium flap disc. Air jacks have their own return springs which is a plus.

A professional build. Wish I had one too.

A36 wrote:A professional build. Wish I had one too.

I didn't build the press itself, just assembled the hydraulic/air conversion and the dies. The press and air jack came on 1/2 price sale at TSC and the foot control from Princess Auto. Sold the stock 20 ton pump jack still in the plastic bag.

homeboy wrote:

A36 wrote:A professional build. Wish I had one too.

I didn't build the press itself, just assembled the hydraulic/air conversion and the dies. The press and air jack came on 1/2 price sale at TSC and the foot control from Princess Auto. Sold the stock 20 ton pump jack still in the plastic bag.

Whats the purpose of the bottom set of springs? Just to keep the blade coming down straight once she engages?

Holding the die open so you can insert the metal to be bent springs to mind.

Franz© wrote:Holding the die open so you can insert the metal to be bent springs to mind.

Yes. The die slides on the end vertical rods and the springs force it to follow the press travel. There is no retainer bolt on the top of the die to hold it to the plunger itself, just a 3/4in deep collar to hold it centered.

10/4

If you are thinking of building one, a tip I picked up from a video is to use a 3/4in id sleeve for the die end guides and 3/4 octagon shaft for the vertical end posts. That way you can just dress the outer points of the octagon shaft for a final free sliding fit. The fiddly part is the die end guides and the base guide posts must be precisely fitted and welded to operate properly.

Great tip. Thanks