Weaver 4 Ton or 8 Ton??

[Longbows]

I can't decide between the Weaver 4 Ton or 8 Ton clicker press.  I will be clicking 10-11oz leather coasters mostly.  Money is a concern, so I am leaning towards the 4 ton, but if the 8 ton will cut the leather better/faster, I will consider spending the extra money.  Which do you all recommend??  Thank you for any feedback.

[Studio-N]

I'd say none of the above. Go with the 12 ton hydraulic bench press, add the steel plates and save over $8000 over what is just an arbor press.

Or go with a harbor freight hydraulic press and save more. Find the plates at a scrap yard.

[cowhide]

total agree with Studio-n. trying to click that heavy of leather useing anything. leaa than 12 tons will not hold up.

[Sturme]

I agree with studio-n, get one from harbor freight and add this

https://www.etsy.com/listing/510449163/10-x-10-x-12-or-12-x-12-x-12-clicker?ref=shop_home_active_4

[Longbows]

Thank you guys.  Well, crap.  Right now I am using a 30 ton press hooked up to air.  It just seems so slowwwww.  I had to cut 300 4" coasters and it took forever.  I thought something like a manual Weaver would be much faster/efficient.  If it is not hooked up to air, seems like you would have to jack the handle about 15 times each cut.  No?  I am new to this, so I am listening to your advice.  

[arashikage]

18 hours ago, Longbows said:

Right now I am using a 30 ton press hooked up to air.  It just seems so slowwwww.  I had to cut 300 4" coasters and it took forever.  I thought something like a manual Weaver would be much faster/efficient.  If it is not hooked up to air, seems like you would have to jack the handle about 15 times each cut.  No?  I am new to this, so I am listening to your advice.  

If you are planning on doing that much volume again, then yes, a Weaver press may be faster but you're going to be providing the power instead of a compressor. The 8 ton would definitely cut 10-11oz easier but it's still going to be a workout with that many pieces. If 300 pieces is going to be happening often then you would be better off in investing in a swing-arm hydraulic clicker press like the CB12. http://www.solar-leather.com/cb12 . They are a lot more than the Weaver 8 ton but will be a lot faster and easier. 

[Matt S]

19 hours ago, Longbows said:

Right now I am using a 30 ton press hooked up to air.  It just seems so slowwwww.  I had to cut 300 4" coasters and it took forever. 

I have a 6-ton hydraulic press for clicking. A big part of the reasoning was speed -- the smaller jacks tend to be faster than the larger ones from what I read, and certainly faster than the air-hydraulic jacks I've watched online. 4 pumps per click on 3-4mm leather (assuming I raise the ram the minimum needed to clear the leather and knife). That's about 1 second. 6 ton is plenty for a 4" circle. Maybe you can buy a similar cheap press and save the big one for larger dies, or put a small bottle jack in your existing press.

[Sturme]

when you release the air out of a manual press, do not let it all out, just enough to have room to get your die and leather out and have a bit of room to work. it will cut down on your time a lot.

[Longbows]

Thank you for all the feedback.  I will pick up a smaller press and add a plate to it and give that a try.  Thank you!