Hi Bob!
If you look closely at both those pictures, there are a whole lot of similarities. The reason is because I had the top one for 12 years before the bottom die holder finally gave way. I kept all the parts off the Imagination X-press and used them to build the new press. My origonal Imagination X-press was #2 or #3 ever built, and since then they have beefed up the design a great deal. I went with the bottom support simply because I did break the bottom die holder off my Imagination X-press, but that was after 12 years and a few miles of damascus billets pressed in it.
Truthfully, I would rather have the support to the frame under the bottom die. Whatever you do, don't skimp on the wall thickness of the square tubing used for the bottom die support. It should be a minimum of 5/16" thick wall, and the plate covering the top end should be no less than 3/4" thick (I used 1" on mine)
I just don't think you can Overbuild a forging press.
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