Another Clicker post

[DV8DUG]

So my needs are simple for now. I need a press to chop out smaller pieces from piles of post commercial leather waste. My pieces hardly ever exceed 6" in any direction, most being around the 2" x 4" size. What kind of tonnage am I looking at for punching through 12 oz. to 14 oz. latigo? What would be my cheapest and easiest options?

I see refurbished 'clicker presses' on eBay and I'm not sure if building the whole setup from just a ram and a stand is a good route to follow or if a completed setup is. I possess the skills to put something like this together... It's just a lot of work when I should be leather working.

Currently I use a double jack sledgehammer with the handle cut short and welded steel homemade dies. This can't continue... LOL

[Mark842]

I've heard this question asked hundreds of times. Even asked it myself a gazillion years ago. Here is an interesting article on the topic: https://diecuttingengineer.blogspot.com/2010/02/calculating-die-cutting-tonnage.html?m=1

The funny thing is every formula supplied on this article comes up with a different answer for required tonnage. Of note also is that the formulas tell me that I would need a 60 ton press for my most involved die even though I cut with it daily using either a 25 ton press or a 15 ton. Both presses cut it exactly the same, very easily. My most involved die is about 27 inches long and has about 350" of linear blade (Its a 12 strand fringe cutter). For the dies you are describing a 15 ton would probably still be over kill.

[Northmount]

I have been cutting 6" circles with a 1 ton arbor press.  It is clamped to the bench, and added a piece of 3/4" pipe to the handle for the harder, thicker leathers.  So I would say you should be able to do well for your pieces with a 3 ton arbor press.  Then you shouldn't need to add the snipe for more leverage.

Tom

[Matt S]

I make do with a no-name Chinese 6 ton hydraulic press for similar size dies. Cost me all of £60, plus the steel plates and a kitchen cutting board.