This was not absolutely necessary since the ram frame moved up and down quite smoothly and in line with the guide, but I wanted to make sure there was extra support to prevent any twisting and warping of the frame (Left Picture). It was made of 1018 mild steel which provided for a small amount of flex while at the same time limiting the movement of the cylinder. I installed a support bar to limit the lateral movement of the hydraulic cylinder. I drilled and tapped holes to make the control valve attachment easier (Right Picture. I made the one on the right wider to provide for the control valve. I also added caps to the top of the support tubes. Once I was satisfied, I welded the frame guide to the support tubes. I then lowered the guide and frame onto the finger bars then checked to make sure it was all square and plumb to the base. I then welded finger bars onto the support tubes at the exact elevation that I needed for the ram frame and frame guide to sit.

This was a critical phase in construction since the tolerance between the tubes was very tight and the tubes needed to be square to the base to ensure the press would be plumb (Left Picture). I utilized multiple methods to ensure the tubes stayed plumb during welding. I laid out the exact position of the support tubes (4″ X 6″ X 1/4″ structural tubes) on the base plate. This would allow me to move the press and power pack around my shop for convenience (Right Picture). I cut it from a sheet of 1/2″ steel and welded metal casters that could support 1200 pounds to the bottom of the plate. I then went to work on making the base plate. Once the ram frame was welded, I installed the hydraulic cylinder by connecting it to the frame guide and the ram frame then suspended it with rigging to get ready for it to be mounted to the base plate and support tubes (Left Picture). I drilled and tapped holes for grease fittings to make it easy to lubricate the ram frame and frame guide. Many of the presses that have the cylinder on the bottom accomplish forging by moving the bottom die, but this design moves the top die up and down by utilizing a ram frame that slides in a frame guide which is supported on structural steel. It places the hydraulic cylinder at the bottom but then combines a traditional hydraulic press forging method. I owned one of his presses when I lived in Wisconsin, and I really like the moving ram frame design. My press is based on the hydraulic forging press made.

Build your own hydraulic forging press