i got the damascus making bug,gotta get in on some of this. i have been reading everything i can find online, have decided to purchase ready made press.but their dont
seem to be no obvious choice in presses- like their is grinders <rob frink kmg> what do
you guys recomend for a newbie and why??

For a "C" frame press, give the folks a Swain Spring service a call (their here in Great Falls, MT.) 1-800-378-1246. Chris will likely answer the phone, and can give just about any info you want. I used one of their presses for almost 10 years with great success.

I'd recommend Ron Claiborne (in Tennessee) for an "H" frame type press (you'll have to search for Ron's contact info, I don't have it.)

If you have lots of room, an "H" frame is the king of strength, they tend to be larger and take up more space.
I personally like the "C" frame presses simply due to them being a bit more compact, and the die area is a little more accessable.

Rons tele. # is 865-524-2054, and e-mail is bowie2002@comcast.net . I own one of his presses, and am very happy with it.

You mentioned being a newby, so I'll mention the obvious. Don't forget that you can make Damascus by hand too. :D

thanks guys for your responses and contact info, the only presses i have seen in operation is the H frames and beefy is a good description i have the room for one but just a couple of days ago read-on-to swains machine (the imagation) sent him a email still waiting on a response. anyway, not knowing the C frame existed. i was concerned with the strength of that design. but now knowing ed used one for 10 years with great success removes that doubt. i will most likely go with the C frame-no use in waisting good junk space-after i get this set-up i will be purchasing a air hammer. lawrence, i have been trying to forge by hand for 2 years, work a piece--recover-- work a piece--recover and recover. 39 years old
and the elbow says no. now my son and many friends want go out to the shop with me.
they are all scared i will fire it up and hand them a hammer!!!

As the Proud Owner of "Claiborn #001" Id have to say Im a bit predjudiced, but I cant say anything bad about it, other than the fact that I never get to use it!

I can say that IMO it is a very well built machine, and performs to my best expectations on every count! And yes you CAN make damascus by hand, but the "Claiborn Crusher" sure does make it easier :)

Also the customer support is second to none wih Ron Claiborn. I have had numerous personal and on line tutoring on my press from Ron, and made a valued friend in the process.

If you are in the market for one, I would highly reccomend Mr Claiborn, but then again, like I said, Im a bit predjudiced!

God Bless
Mike

Well Killer, I know what you mean about the elbow! I always try to save enough umph to lift a glass at the end of the day though! :lol

On a more serious note though, I have been using a Ron Claiborne press (#003) for just a little more than a year now, and it's amazing what you can think of using a press to do. With help from Ron Claiborne, Kevin Davey, Bill Wiggins, and lots of guys on this forum, to name a few, I have learned to do an amazing amount of work in a short time on a press. I'm sure you will love it!

Killer knives i have sent you a pm check it out

Well, what do these presses usually run, as far as price???

I'm definitely interested in owning a press sometime soon so I can do large batches of mokume and some pattern-welded damascus. Anyway, I was just wondering what they usually go for.

Thanks,

Joe

sheepishlion you got a pm

I know there are many good people who make them around the country but someone you need to check into is Albert May at Vinita. He built me a table top H frame 24 ton which is very nice. It weighs approximately 400 lbs and does everything I think you need. He has a 100 ton and built him another 24 ton for his own use after making mine and checking it out. Email him at asmay@junct.com and he would like to talk to you. Mike

At this time the press that i build is $2500.00 with 4 sets of dies .
due to increast parts cost i may have to increase my prices after first of the year ,those that have ordered or order befor the first the price will be $2500.00 .
this is not what i would have wanted but have been told steel and motors and cylanders will have a large increase in cost to me ,the lobor will be the same

make your own. I made this using the info from the book "Build your own forging press". It will go 29 ton, and moves pretty quick (not so much in the winter, I need an oil warmer)
I used about $200 worth of steel (all used except the angle) and about $800-$900 for the hydrolics from northern tool. Prices I am sure have gone up and you have to know how to weld, but it is definately doable. I wish I used mine more, but it is hard to get away from my 250 little giant :)
let me know if I can help with anything
csc
http://208.56.33.67/uploads/press.jpg

I have one of Ron's presses and love it. My press is much prettier than Larry's. Ron is a great guy and makes a great press.

Hey Bill I just noticed this............Pretty tough talk for a guy with a "pale lemony yellow" press, I'd say.
Why, a guy that would say something like that, probably shows up late at gatherings, but just in time to eat of course!

Ill say one thing they both look good to me but they look better with burn marks and
pattern drew on the side frames, dies that need rebuilding due to heat or wear, .slag pans full, battle scared due to concentration of working not thinking of paint or finish of the machine but finish of the billet , new die ideas that I might steal laying about .
Friends calling telling of new was to work with it . The press 2500 the friends it makes priceless

I used either the first or second one Ron made and brought to Batsons hammer-in and it was a kick ass press.I have built my on but if I had to do it over I`d buy Rons.It`s a lot of work to get everything to work propably. Just my suggestions. Robert

Pale lemony yellow huh...that hurts Larry!!! I had Ron to paint mine so that when the billet matched the press, it would be ready to weld!!!!

I cant say she is a "Little Girl" anymore, but Ron's press is sooooo easy to use my 14 year old Daughter Christine made her first damascus billet with it the other night!

Im really proud of her, she had told me she wanted to make some "pretty steel" for a dagger she has designed, so off we went, I figured I would do most of the work, but she would have none of it! She ground the bars clean, she stick welded the billet togather (first time welding!) then she pressed it and stretched it! ( OK, the billet weighed almost as much as her so I took it from the forge to the press) But she is almost as independant as her Mother, so I just made sure she did everything safely then got out of her way!!!
It started as a 33 layer billet, 8"long x 4" thick, stretched and re welded twice. we are going for "over 500 layers" as she so technicaly put it! And I have no doubt we will!! LOL

Mr washburn: I belive that my press is fairly close to welding color (see photo)
A Man with a Lemon Yellow Press, Hmmmmmm........................................... . :D


http://knifenetwork.com/ppost/showphoto.php?photo=461&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

http://knifenetwork.com/ppost/showphoto.php?photo=462&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=1

God Bless
Mike

Mike,
I've seen some awesome things in these forums but nothing quite as great as you and your daughter working in your shop together. I love to see the kids get interested and your girl looks like she's having a blast. Way to go Dad!
Fischer

Hey Bill, maybe that's my problem! I'll try to let my billets get the same color as YOUR press instead of mine, and maybe they'll stick better. :D

i have one of rons' presses to and think it's great . only had a 35# power hammer - this thing will do so much more so much quicker . ron builds a great press - paul