Hand operated clicking press and clicking knives

[TrooperChuck]

Weaver sells a similar manual clicker... about $995.00 (US). I'd love to have one, but can't justify the cost right now. So, I'm thinking of doing what Bruce described: Using a small hydraulic jack and some metal plates. First, though, I need to build a herking-strong frame for the whole thing.

[Daggrim]

I was reading the Lucris story of how they developed their press, and they started out with a modified hydraulic arbor press. They said it was painfully slow to cut with, and to load / unload. I s'pose so, but still, you could save a bundle with a homemade rig.

Doug

[bruce johnson]

My press cost me under $200 at a place similar to Harbor Freight but better quality. It is more stable and the ram is true. The 20 ton was more solid and not much more cost than lesser ones. I put a piece of cold roll steel under a plastic HDPE cutting board. Leather on that, then the die, then another piece of cold roll over the top of the die. The scraps of cold roll were end cuts from a local steel yard. I figured that I'd have about $1000 for dies before I would have paid for a clicker. As it is, I have dies for cinch and latigo carriers, spur straps, and Rundi has two coaster dies.

Once you have cut the first piece, you just have to let off enough to slide the piece out and replace the die over the leather. On skirting that is usually 4 strokes at the most. If you let it off all the way, then the ram will go all the way up and it will be like jacking a car up every time. I use mine for embossing plates and cutting plates too. I can also mold leather in press forms that would be difficult in a clicker. I just use the ram over the male part of a two part form. Makes molded cell phone cases and pliers pockets easier.

[Daggrim]

Bruce, thanks for the reply. That looks like a good choice for my level of production. I've seen the ones in the Harbor Freight mailers. Mind if I ask where you got it?

Also, I looked at your website. Very sharp, and your work is way beyond what I'll ever get to in the years I have left to me. But that's okay...I'll bet there are no dancing gypsys at those rodeos you attend

Doug

[bruce johnson]

Doug,

I bought it at a local industrial supplier, kind of like Harbor Freight without the line of bargain bins down the aisles and brands you have heard of. They are a one or two location outfit. It was about $15 more than HF. Thanks for the compliments on the site and work. It is all in progress.

[Daggrim]

Okay, well, I checked into Harbor F. locations and found one in Minneapolis, just about 1.5 hrs away. I need to make a trip up there to Tandy anyway, so...

What can you say about the quality of their presses? I got a trailer from them that I was quite pleased with, but I know their general reputation isn't real high. But, would their press do an acceptable job, do you think? I mean, if it's all you could find, would you skip it, and go for something five times more expensive?

Doug

[Twosons]

Just make sure you call them 1st to make sure they have it in stock. My local HF often is out of stock on the things I am looking for.

Bruce, I already have a 12-ton press. Do you think that would work?

[bruce johnson]

Doug,

I would look it over pretty well. Seems like when I was looking the HF all had the ram welded on crooked. For me I wouldn't go hog wild on one. There has to be some other sources of them in "the cities" too. Check out "industrial supplies". Most farm shops have one, and a local farm supply/hardware supply might be able to get you one too.

As far as size, I think the Weaver benchtop hydraulic press is 5 tons. I got the 20 ton because it was not much more, and someone on another list had recommended 20 tons. I think at one time I was told the general recommendation was 200# minimum per inch of rule. The other thing is to make sure the plate you put on top of the die covers the whole die or you could bend it. Mine are 1" thick, but I would bet a guy could get by with 1/2" easy enough.

[Daggrim]

Bruce, thanks for the help. Who's the manufacturer of your press? That'd help me narrow down the search.

Doug

[bruce johnson]

Doug, No idea what brand. The only label is the safety deal - wear eye protection, etc. I think it had some stickers in the bag o' parts, but they are long gone. I have had it a couple years at least. It is Chinese, but that is about all I know.