Hydraulic shop press as a clicker press for cutting dies

[Anubis78]

On 2/14/2018 at 6:55 PM, Bustedmp77 said:

I bought some steel rule and made a few dies for myself. I use my HF 12 ton press with them. For 2 cases of beer, the welding instructor at the local tech school cut me out 3 12"x12"x 1" thick steel plates. I use two on the base with a 12x12 piece of 3/4 mdf as a cutting surface. Leather, die, 3/4 mdf, and then the other steel plate on top. Works great, and the mdf is $35 for a 4'x8' sheet which gives me 32 12x12 pieces. I did add a pressure gauge to the jack. When I here the pop and pressure drops, my leather is  cut.

Bustedmp77, do you have pics of your setup?

[Bustedmp77]

No I don't. I really don't even use it very much anyway. I could get a picture or video some day maybe.

[acoopersaddler]

On 6/27/2017 at 1:45 PM, Anubis78 said:

Hi everyone!

I'm currently looking into getting custom cutting dies for leather in order to improve my efficiency in creating mass produced items.  I initially looked at the Weaver Master Tool Mighty Wonder Hand Operated clicker, but with all the other machines that I'm having to purchase right now (ex: strap cutting machine and strap folding machine) I'm trying to keep my expenses low to stay within my budget.  

Something I'm considering is purchasing an hydraulic press and clicker press plates to cut down my cost.   The Weaver 12 ton press is $285, but I found a few at harbor freight for $119 (possibly less with a coupon if I can find one).  Now I always see mixed reviews about Harbor Freight tools ("you get what you pay for", "horrible", or "great product") so I'm looking for feedback from anyone who may have used the Harbor Freight press.   The major difference I see in the presses is that the Weaver press (can be used on your work bench) doesn't take up as much space as the Harbor Freight (taller).  Any feedback would be great!  

Also have any of you used the Weaver belt end dies or other cutting dies with a hydrolic press? Anything that I should be aware of or consider when getting custom dies made?   Do the presses damage the dies at all? How long do the dies usually last?  

[acoopersaddler]

I have a 12 and a 20 ton presses from Harbor Freight and have had no problems using them for cutting with clicker dies, and adjusting English saddle trees. You can easily make up a table to go in the presses. 

[SunLynx]

On ‎2018‎-‎02‎-‎14 at 3:55 PM, Bustedmp77 said:

I bought some steel rule and made a few dies for myself. I use my HF 12 ton press with them. For 2 cases of beer, the welding instructor at the local tech school cut me out 3 12"x12"x 1" thick steel plates. I use two on the base with a 12x12 piece of 3/4 mdf as a cutting surface. Leather, die, 3/4 mdf, and then the other steel plate on top. Works great, and the mdf is $35 for a 4'x8' sheet which gives me 32 12x12 pieces. I did add a pressure gauge to the jack. When I here the pop and pressure drops, my leather is  cut.

May I ask how you added the pressure gauge?  I'm having trouble telling how complicated (or not) it would be to add to an existing HF product.

Thanks.

[DeckerZ]

I'm just getting into leather working as a hobbiest and I cannsee the benefits of using a clicker press. I just cannot afford one and dont have the room for one. Just a thought, I have a 1 ton Arbor press and was wondering if I could have a steel plate welded to the base of the rod, with another steel plate for it to press against and use this as a manually operated press for using with dies? Surely it would at least mark the leather enough to make the cuts more precise?

[Rockoboy]

When I am using my hydraulic press to cut out patterns with clicker dies, I sometimes go up to 7 - 10 tonnes, depending on the size of the cutout. 

A lesser press would definitely make an imprint of the shape on your leather, but a stylus will do that. If that is what you have, make the best of it.

I am thinking a 1 tonne press might be OK for punching holes, stamping, setting snaps and rivets and eyelets. Maybe somebody who has a 1 tonner, will make a comment.

[sparklehart]

I think one of these might be a nice alternative 

https://youtu.be/TIGYW1dPm6c

[garypl]

On 9/18/2018 at 4:57 AM, Rockoboy said:

When I am using my hydraulic press to cut out patterns with clicker dies, I sometimes go up to 7 - 10 tonnes, depending on the size of the cutout. 

A lesser press would definitely make an imprint of the shape on your leather, but a stylus will do that. If that is what you have, make the best of it.

I am thinking a 1 tonne press might be OK for punching holes, stamping, setting snaps and rivets and eyelets. Maybe somebody who has a 1 tonner, will make a comment.

I agree with Brian - I use a 1 ton press for setting rivets and stamping, but I doubt it would have enough force to cut anything other than a very small die not much larger than the ram itself.

Gary

[chrisash]

Try Weaver they do a 4 ton hand press

https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/catalog/item-detail/65-3075/master-tools-mighty-wonder/pr_25365