HYDRAULIC PRESS

This is an approximate 15 tonne press I made in my workshop for bending steel, removing and replacing bearings, bushes, etc.

Again, as is usual, I have used recycled materials wherever possible.

The frame is made of 2 pieces of 4" x 1 1/2" channel spaced 3" apart.

The top of the frame is 6" x 3" channel section.

The ram isd made from a piece of Hydraulic ram tubing, machined and finished to take a 7" ram.

At the top right hand side you will notice two levers.

There are two pumps; one 7/8" and the other 1/2", see pic.

These pumps were made on the lathe. The 7/8" pump loads quickly to a pressure of around 6-700 lbs per square inch. To increase pressure I made a second one of 1/2" pump, thereby increasing the pressure per square inch that can be levers through the levers.

Translated to lbs per square inch to the hydraulic ram I have been able to generate 12-15 tonnes pressure.

The smaller pump does not pump as much oil as the 7/8" pump and while slower to pump the same amount as the larger pump, it is easier to use and a higher pressure per square inch can be exerted through the levers.

The main ram was collected from a bin of off cuts that were too small for a ram manufacturer's use but adequate for what I wanted it for. I machined and honed it smooth and then made a piston and fitted hydraulic cups and seals.

As there is always in a small workshop there is a need for a part washing trough and also with many small workshops there is nowhere to store it when the trough is not not being used and it takes up valuable space.

To overcome this problem I built the trough to fit under the main frame of the ram and it slides out when required.

You can see the perforated sheet metal strainer in the bottom of the trough. The dirt drops down below the surface and can be cleaned out later.

It is also fitted with a lid to keep dirt and rubbish out when not being used to wash up parts.

When empty of fluid I keep the various jigs used under the press in it when it is not used for a wash-up trough.

Along the front and under the ram are various types of fittings to do various types of press work.

You may make up additional ones as needed. I am always adapting or making special jigs as need arises.

Below is shown the wash up trough drawer open and the various jigs are shown above.

Note the jig second from the left. This jig is used when you need to take a circlip from inside a body ,e.g. a piston from inside of a automatic gearbox. It allows you to press the springs down and through the slots you can see use your fingers or circlip pliers while keeping the housing steady.

As Prof. is one for re-cycling, the press hydraulics allowed this to happen in regards to oil. I got a container of oil from a automatic transmission service company. Often when the oil is changed as a matter of maintenance you will find the oil to be clean.

Perhaps not for use in an automatic transmission where it is under heavy workload and speed changes but more than adequate for the press

It is thin enough to make pumping easy and stands high temperature and pressure.

I intend to add a safety screen as a safety factor while pressing work, especially small work which if improperly placed could break or fly from under the press.

It is important to take care when using such equipment to ensure safety when working with all sorts of workshop equipment.

You can be a very long time dead or seriously maimed

Worldwide Copyright John W. 1998,2001

Click on the graphic to vote for this
page as a Starting Point Hot Site