Air over hydraulic press

[sprucebunny]

I want to build a hydraulic press. I see air/hydraulic ones using ordinary looking jacks and air line(s?) attached.

Does the jack need to have special ports or can I make something using one of the 2 jacks that I already have





Thanks for any help

[DanG]

I suppose you could convert an ordinary bottle jack to air/hydraulic if you had one of those little pulsating pumps to put on it.  Don't know where you would get one though.  I have one of those jacks from Harbor Freight, and the air part gave it up soon after the warranty was gone.  They are great for jacking up machinery because you don't have to be under there operating the jack.  I don't see a whole lot of need for one on a press unless you're going to use it an awful lot though.

[sprucebunny]

Thanks, DanG. I didn't realize there was some other part the only pictures I saw on the web, it just looked like my jack with an air line sticking out the back  

I found one for less than $100 delivered .

To start with, I have over 220 little plates 2.5" x5" that need to be pressed back into shape. Someone suggested a hammer but I don't think that's happening  

[Hilltop366]

A foot control is handy, Also a piece of  heavy screen between the press and you if there is any danger of the item you are pressing will pop out.

[Don_Papenburg]

Just noticed this topic . You can use air to operate a regular hydraulic cylinder .  But because air is at a lower pressure than most oil systems it would be better to have a small dia cylinder with a long ram filled with oil pushing into a larger dia. cylinder with shorter stroke .  the air piped into the small cylinder would force the oil into the press cylinder . You know the drill , multiply the force and all that . you should have what you need or the neighbor has .

[Al_Smith]

What you really need is called an intensifier .It's basically a large air cylinder on one side and a small hydraulic cylinder on the other using a common shaft .

[mad murdock]

I want to build a hydraulic press.


Thanks for any help

Sprucebunny, this link has complete plans for old projects, some for the shop, some for the yard, some for the garden, etc.  Great old ideas, that are still good today.  http://www.vintageprojects.com/workshop-general.html

[sprucebunny]

Thanks, mad murdock ! That was a fun website 

Maybe I'll build a snowblower, next 

Thanks to everyone for the info on intensifiers and stuff. I got all my little plates pressed, painted and back in place last summer.

These are the little plates before and after.
 

[submarinesailor]

Joan,

It looks like you have been steady at it.  How many more to go?  Is too many the correct answer.................

Bruce