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Hydraulic Jewelry Press

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So many tools, so many tools! There are tools for everything. A quick look at any commercial or large-scale manufacturing process provides insight into better ways to do specific tasks. Sometimes hobbyists use the same methods albeit without steroids.

A recent project of mine is designing a 20 ton tabletop hydraulic press primarily for jewelry applications. A quick internet search reveals a litany of pricey ones but they're not within my budget. Self-reliancy will save a thousand dollars or more.

My current 20t shop-size press could be modified but it's not its life calling so I purchased a new one instead. Not one for working harder over smarter, the air-powered jack upgrade will make it faster and more efficient than the manual pump.

I expect to tweak any Harbor Freight tool, in this case a crooked crossbeam to start with. During manufacturing there are jigs and fixtures to ensure its alignment so it must have been a bad day at the factory. Getting it fixed took more than ten hours in phone calls and re-re-assembly.

There won't be any need for welding during the frankensteinification but I might melt a bead or two just the same. Lots of cutting, drilling, modifying, and a bevy of parts should get it done. Fortunately I have access to a machine shop and welding equipment.

The long-term financial benefit means the investment will quickly pay off the more it's used. And I intend to use the bejesus out of it! The known possibilities of what it can/could do are endless including some incredible 3D forming. More secrets and tricks will reveal themselves in due time.

To make a synclastic bracelet the old way, you'd forge a metal strip on an anvil or forming die into that shape. Lots of hammering, annealing, bending, fine-tuning, measuring, and inspections eat a ton of labor. In less time than it takes to anneal the metal, this machine finishes the job perfectly almost without fail, even for newbies.

A little innovation keeps the mind sharp, too, which will be necessary for this tool. It would be senseless if it didn't accommodate accessories and fixtures from other companies. The whole purpose is to use the best commercial dies and rams while saving serious coin building the machine. No need to reinvent the wheel here.

Then again, I'm considering scrapping the original plans and building one from scratch. It would take more time but eliminate many unknowns and constraints associated with modifying something. Enough pictures and proven plans are online to scavenge from.

Posted by M: June 26, 2024

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