Considering A Shop Press Clicker Setup, Hoping For Some Advice

[Glendon]

Hi all,

I have been considering setting up a shop press for some basic clicking for those small projects, coasts, key fobs, belt clips, that I seem to always end up making 10 or 15 at a time. Thing is that I dont have the space for a free standing 12 or 20 ton press. As a test to see if it would work for my needs, I was thinking of picking up one of the bench top 6 ton shop presses and a couple 1/4 in. steel plates as a beginners solution. Would this work long enough for me to see if I want to get more into it, or would I not be able to cut anything worthwhile? Mostly what I would be clicking would be 6oz and under.

If I get even a couple maybes from the people who have experence with this, I'll give it a shot and report back. Given the handful of reports I've seen about these projects makes me think a 6 ton might be too weak though.

[Tree Reaper]

I have a 10 ton that would sit on a bench.

It has a pressure gauge but I seldom use more than 3 tons for molding, cutting may take 5 or less, I haven't any cutting dies for it yet.

Stamping is a ton and a half.

[Glendon]

Yah, stamping is easy enough. I have a 1 ton arbor press that I use for 3D stamps. Seems to work just fine for my needs.

[silverback]

Hi Glendon,I have small frame with a 6 tonne jack in it with a poly board on a thick piece of aluminium. I regularly cut 3 sixteenth fobs etc and it will drive my clickers into the poly. There is plenty of oomph in it.Go for it

[K-Man]

I use Weaver's bench top press with a 12-ton air over hydraulic jack. Have it set up in my 5th wheel rv and takes up very little space. I've used it to cut/click out holsters, coasters, fobs, spur straps, etc. I've used 5-9 oz leather primarily, but have also cut heavier.

[JAM]

I use Weaver's older model benchtop shop press, with the 6T bottle jack. I click out coasters and conchos from saddle skirting (13-14 oz) and large knife sheaths from 10 0z skirting (takes two-three passes to get the entire sheath clicked out, but once one end is cut the die stays in place and moves easily to cut the other end). It works absolutely fine. It's sweet to hear the leather either "pop" or "swish" as it cuts through to the bottom! I also use it to press my 1-1/2" maker stamp into cased leather - does a wonderful clear job that I cannot do with a maul of any weight.

[Tex Shooter]

I have two Lucris five ton clicker presses that I use for single clicker dies and stamps. They are very fast clicking single dies or stamp impressions. I have three small dies that I click a lot of parts from and can click about 250 parts a hour. Unless your are going to multiple part dies there is no clicker press that I know of that clicks as fast. I love these little presses for small work. As well as cutting you can do designs easily. Here is a video of one being used for that.

http://youtu.be/C-eUq9hMZNk

[Glendon]

I spent quite a bit of time looking into the Lucris. Being a hobbyist and not making a regular income from my leatherwork thogh, I couldn't justify that price. A few hundred for a shop press setup I can do.

[Tex Shooter]

I believed the same thing for several years, but after I got one, it paid for itself in less than six months. I have two now and they are just great money makers. -- Tex

[sheathmaker]

I went to the Lucris web site and it is a fountain of non information.

I'd like to know the approximate cost of the press......no indication of that on the site.

I guess the only way to find out the information is to call one of the two reps here in the U.S.

Paul