Homemade Hydraulic FORGING Press - EXTREME POWER!! 💪

Hope yall like my homemade hydraulic forging press! I originally made this H-frame hydraulic press based off of Ron "Bowie" Claiborne's design back in 2006. This is a mix between a rebuild and a restoration; so I hope yall like it!

It should be noted that these plans are for educational purposes only... They have not been evaluated by a structural engineer. Use these plans and build a press at your own risk.

🔸Hydraulic Components (In approximate flow order):

🔸Other Components:

🛠 Notable Tools:

⭐ How To Videos:

🗡 Knife Builds:

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#knifemaking
#redbeardops
#hydraulicpress

00:00 – Intro & Plan
00:45 – New Press Feet
02:57 – Disassembly
04:55 – Frame Mod & Adding Feet
06:46 – Motor & Pump Shelf
07:27 – New Pump Bracket
10:12 – Enlarging Pin Holes
13:57 – Traveling Guide Mod
14:38 – Die Holders & Dies
18:29 – Slag Catcher
19:21 – Wiring Switch
21:28 – Hydraulic Assembly
28:03 – Start Up & Traveling Block Connect
29:32 – Testing, Front Die Tabs, & Outro

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A Notice from Red Beard Ops LLC:
The information provided on this channel is for entertainment purposes only. Any action you as the viewer takes upon the information on this channel is strictly at your own risk, and Red Beard Ops LLC will not be liable for any losses, damages, or personal injuries in connection with the use of this content (including injuries, damages, or losses sustained while you were trying to emulate the actions and projects on this channel). Attempting to emulate any of the actions or projects put forth by this channel should not be done without training and even then, at your own risk.

[RedBeardOps]

Well I really hope yall got something out of this one! Links to all the plans are in the description. Here are the time stamps:


00:00 – Intro & Plan
00:45 – New Press Feet
02:57 – Disassembly
04:55 – Frame Mod & Adding Feet
06:46 – Motor & Pump Shelf
07:27 – New Pump Bracket
10:12 – Enlarging Pin Holes
13:57 – Traveling Guide Mod
14:38 – Die Holders & Dies
18:29 – Slag Catcher
19:21 – Wiring Switch
21:28 – Hydraulic Assembly
28:03 – Start Up & Traveling Block Connect
29:32 – Testing, Front Die Tabs, & Outro

[jeremywhittington]

There is a big difference in HP between an internal combustion engine, and an electric motor. I converted my gas powered log splitter to electric(to use it indoors), and educated myself on this subject pretty well. As a general rule you can use an electric motor with half the HP of gas… I used a 2hp 1750rpm electric motor to replace my 6hp gas and am actually still well within rated range requirements by the pump. Reason being is the torque rating on the electric motor is far greater, and it’s instantaneous! Nice job on the press, I’m building myself one also!

[mccwho]

Another excellent video. Thank you!!

The thing about pressure gauges most people don't realize is that you never want a gauge that maxed out at the max pressure you are working at. Gauges work by bending an arm inside the gauge. The more it has to flex the more it will wear out the gauge plus a small amount of error in the reading comes into play, the more it has to flex, the greater the error will become over time. At most you want your max working pressure to be in the middle of the scale for the gauge you are using.

[mrwiseman]

Great job, bro. I’m impressed at your high quality output with no industrial sized tools. Props.

[mortislaevus]

I have been watching your forge press videos the past few days, absorbing your experiences, as I, too, am designing my own press.
This evening I was searching on information about cylinders, and happened upon a thread on bladeforums. I read a bunch of the posts, and at one point I looked at the names of the posters. Lo, and behold, the OP was none other than RBO himself, getting learned up on building a press. Good stuff.

[georgeyoung]

This is a fantastic video. The filming angles were perfect, your commentary was extremely clear and to the point. Your explanation was easy to follow and understand. The fact that you went the extra few miles and added a parts list and a list of places to get the needed parts from, is going the extra few miles. Thank you for putting together and posting this video. It is as interesting as it is educational. I look forward to your next build. Outstanding work. Stay safe and may God bless you and yours.

[jjppres]

Well done James! Heavy duty and a lot of precision in that baby. I built mine 3 years ago and it works great. You'll love using it I'm sure. Good luck! Can't wait to see you using it.

[blackflycanada]

I built a press just like this one, only a little beefier. 6" HSS... I put it on casters to move it around my garage. Love it. Covid lockdowns kept me from working... So I built a forge, press and 2x72. Only thing I wanna change on the press is a 5" cylinder. only one available was a 4". It's fast and works great.

[HansKnives]

This is the most detailed forging press build video I've seen. This video helped me a lot. thank you 🍻

[iamarawn]

Holy smokes what a beast of a press! That's very well made! This might be a great idea for my shed. I always wanted a power hammer but my neighbors would kill me. This might be a realistic alternative.

[brdn]

You came a long way from the first build! Congratz!

[christopherrosario]

I’ve been bedridden for about a week with pretty bad back injury. Finally healed up and I got sick now I’m sitting at home with 102° fever and I can’t sleep. Saw this video and it knocked me out right away. To the point that every time I wake up from my baby power naps I would restart the video because I wanted to see your progress with this. Awesome job looks great. Just for me please round out those corners on your rounding dies

[Robenbuilds]

It is always really inspiring to see someone build things like this with some clever use of whatever tools they have available. It was a well structured and detailed video, good job! I also plan on building a big forging press in the near future

[prodigalson]

Workshop and gym combined you are a man with a refined taste.

[TyrellKnifeworks]

Looks great, James! I would recommend you add a foot pedal for the valve, but I’m sure you’ve thought of that. Can’t wait to see the Damascus!!! 👍

[JUSTIN-NOURSE]

I've been surfing YouTube for probably about a week with the search phrase ( how to make a press for foraging ) after seeing this video your presses top 5 so far and I'm confident no matter how many more I watch it won't go lower than top 5. May become my top 1🤘😁Thanks for sharing it and another thing I took away from this experience.. I never seen combo dies 😳 or even thought of that 🤔.
This video like was the key to unlock my creativity to take this further ‼️ thank you so much ‼️

[j.m.k.]

That's awesome man, if things go well this year, I'll be building it. I mean in a perfect world we all be able to afford a c.i.w. press, but this is great too

[lfsabch]

amazing... just amazing...as an absorber of knowledge yet able to do smithing, this was a huge win in how i can go about setting up equipment

[bradscott]

Thank you! I've been contemplating on ideas about what and how I was going to fabricate a press, and this has definitely helped. Love the videos, and keep up the great work!

[garymucher]

I figured you had more to do with this press than merely the occasional pressing bearings in and out and such. Because that was a lot of work and parts for the occasional press set up. Thumbs Up!