Small punch press - should I?

[samthedog]

In doing some research about converting a punch press to a mechanical, I have found it is not safe to try it. The recommendation is to stick with a drop hammer or a pneumatic hammer as there is some rebound when the hammer bottoms out. I found a little 4 ton pneumatic press that could be used for punching and a mechanical hammer for forging:



This may be a better solution. Apparently it requires 6 - 8 bar of pressure and uses single phase power to activate the clutch and safety. I didn't think yesterday that I would be researching presses. There aint no cure :whistle:

Ray - I'm not out of the woods yet. I still like the look of the punch press but this little pneumatic machine will be more multifunctional in my little shop.

Paul.

 

[Restorer]

A punch press is not a hammer. It is not a forging tool. If you try to use it in that manner you will get hurt or it will break the press.


A punch press is a manufacturing machine used to produce low cost parts in high volume.

To produce parts a die is required. They are expensive, and they will only make the one part or perform one operation.

Punch presses are not often found in a home shop.

I have seen one in a home shop. it was owned by an individual that manufactured fishing lures as a side business.

Unless you want to manufacture something it will sit unused in your shop.

 

[samthedog]

You are absolutely right and I have scrapped the plans of any conversion. All the reading I have done indicates that it will likely take up valuable real-estate in my shop. I think the pneumatic press is a better option as it should be able to do both punching and forging. I need to sleep on it before making any decisions though as room is starting to get tight in the workshop.

Paul.

 

[barlow l]

it should punch a .625 hole in .250 Aluminum and almost a 1.250 hole in .125 Aluminum. What can you use it for? punching, forming, stamping. make up Steel Rule dies and punch out paper dolls for the kiddos.

I bought a 20 ton Roper Whitney punch press about 6-7 years ago. Have not used it yet BUT, when I need one, I gots it!!!!

 

[Cheeseking]

Haha its so funny seeing this thread because I now realize at least Im not the only kook that decided to "need" one of these honestly tho the press your looking at is a bit larger than I would consider for not having a specific use. As a point of reference, consider on a lark I picked this little bugger up 5 yrs ago at an auction. @ $125 Couldnt pass it up and two guys with a hand truck to move it. Its 3 tons and maybe 1" of stroke. Used it maybe 4-5 times but boy those times it sure was handy. Pics are before I cleaned it up and tooled it with a generic whitney button die base and punch holder. The punches/dies are dirt cheap like $12 ea new so I bought 5-6 common sizes. Ebay is also loaded with used roper whitney tooling. If you have a good way to move it and a place to put it I'd say why not!

 

[Tool-in-the-Box]

I bought a 20 ton Roper Whitney punch press about 6-7 years ago. Have not used it yet BUT, when I need one, I gots it!!!!

lol, interesting philosophy... that's like buying an iron lung just in case you ever have trouble breathing.

 

[jim18655]

Maybe you'll get lucky and find some scrap gold hiding in the machine.) Sure would lower the cost.

 

[pineyfolks]

Buy it. I can see you building dies and punching flat washers by the millions!

 

[chuckorlando]

Theres nothing at all wrong with buying a machine, any machine, just because you like it and it was cheap. My dad has probably 100k worth of little trains and old un restored steel and cast toys. He likes that. I would just assume have a broke down horizontal mill with big rusty pulleys and oil running out the bottom.

 

[GarageGuy]

It's just so small and cute I want to need it. Am I sick???

:lmao: Whatever the affliction is called, I have it too. If I had shop space, I would be dangerous. I have seen a number of small punch presses for sale in our area. I don't even know why I want one, but I do...

GG