I was going through stuff on Youtube and came across this one. They converted a hydraulic log splitter into a forging press. I thought it works pretty well, but I'm new at this so I thought I would ask here if that is a viable option? Also, what do ya'll think of their work? I was impressed but as I said, I'm new and shiny things impress me. 
[media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62iHEaE8uzI [/media]
Cheyenne Walker
Apprentice Smith
Cheyenne
Any mechanical means to reduce the amount of physical work we have to do is a plus. This is an example of this using a piece of equipment that the maker probably already had. As you can see, it works -- however, you can also see that as the billet is pressed, the dies slop around and close more at the top.
This can be a problem as it creates billets that are trapazoid shaped and can cause frustrations. If you intend to pursue this, I would suggest making a new piecs to hook to the cylinder and slide on the beam and make it with tighter tolerances so it is not so sloppy (rather than just clamping something to the wedge). Also I would suggest using stop blocks on both sides of the billet to help keep things true. making the press vertical would help with this.
Brian
I thought of that same thing, using a log splitter, but I those things are a bit out of my budget. Most of the 20 ton log splitters Iv'e found were around a grand. It would be nice, cause they are faster than what I went with. I'm going with an air/hydraulic press made from an air/hydraulic bottle jack. Seems like allot more even in pressing action though it is slower than the log splitter press. That's what I'm gonna do. Got one in the mail now, a 50 ton. You would have to build a custom frame, but you could make it the way you want. I'm gonna use some I-Beam I got laying around for the frame. This gentleman is where I got the idea.
[media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwZ-GYUZZEY [/media]
I'm kinda new here, but to me it looks like those guys make money making blades, so they must be doing something right. I mean they did make a blade for Thor, the movie not the Norse God, that I know of. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
If you already have a log splitter or can get a really good deal on one it is a good idea. But consider a new Riverside Machine hydraulic forging press is $2,800 delivered. And if you are good at fabricating you can put one together for around $1500. These are purpose built for forging, the log splitter will need some modification and still won't be quite the same. Justin
