What is the story on press plates?

[hodge]

I have been searching for a shop press- I can justify one for making stabilizers. I made a press brake, and was anxious to use it. I bought a 20 ton Arcan press today, in new condition. The price was more than fair, and I also picked up a 16 ton pipe bender for a good price. I hadn't planned on that, but who knows? I can get my money out of it if I don't use it.
The press did not come with plates when the previous owner got it. He made a set for himself, but wouldn't come off of them. So, I need to get me some plates. Can I assume that they are real special, based on the prices for them?
What can I use in place? I have some 7/8"x2" cold flat, which I assume will do in most cases. I also have friends in high places, who can probably source me some thicker stuff pretty cheaply. What are your experiences and recommendations?
My uses will be bending 1/2"x 1 1/4" cold rolled flat on a regular basis (not much of a task for the 20 press), and pressing bearings occasionally.
Needless to say, I am stoked about the new tool aquisitions. Tools by themselves are really cool, but when you get them for more than fair prices, that just makes it so much more enjoyable. And easier to justify.

 

[Kubota Newbie]

Well, in my experience the thicker the better with your press support plates. Any movement or give in the plate is an invitation for something to move just when you don't want it to. I ues the press in my bro-in-law's auto machine shop quite a lot. We have two plates 1 thick by 6 wide and 18 inches long that we use a lot. There's a 2'' X 2" bar that'll extend across the bed that comes in handy. We also have a fixture to hold that bar on the diagonal and a real heavy piece of angle that attaches to the press ram that is handy for bending things. There are some specialty fixtures that only have 3/4 plates, mostly for piston pins etc. but those plates are really short and thus pretty stiff and are usually supported on the thicker stock. It's always easier to control what you're doing if what you're pressing against isn't "springy".

 

[gpreuss]

If you have a local steel mill, give them a try. Mine generally has some 1" or 1-1/2" plate in the scrap bin - dirt cheap to buy. While you are there, they might have round cut-outs that make excellent wheel weights, etc. Always a worthwhile trip, going to the steel mill.
If you look at the commercial press blocks, they have cut outs in the edges that you can cut with a torch - they don't have to be perfect. They are handy for pressing out inserts and bearings.
I picked up a 12 ton press from Harbor Freight, and find myself using it a lot.

 

[eserv]

I have been searching for a shop press- I can justify one for making stabilizers. I made a press brake, and was anxious to use it. I bought a 20 ton Arcan press today, in new condition. The price was more than fair, and I also picked up a 16 ton pipe bender for a good price. I hadn't planned on that, but who knows? I can get my money out of it if I don't use it.
The press did not come with plates when the previous owner got it. He made a set for himself, but wouldn't come off of them. So, I need to get me some plates. Can I assume that they are real special, based on the prices for them?
What can I use in place? I have some 7/8"x2" cold flat, which I assume will do in most cases. I also have friends in high places, who can probably source me some thicker stuff pretty cheaply. What are your experiences and recommendations?
My uses will be bending 1/2"x 1 1/4" cold rolled flat on a regular basis (not much of a task for the 20 press), and pressing bearings occasionally.
Needless to say, I am stoked about the new tool aquisitions. Tools by themselves are really cool, but when you get them for more than fair prices, that just makes it so much more enjoyable. And easier to justify.

If you are "in good" with your local Kubota dealer he may have some Kubota drawbars that He'll give or sell to you. When they install 1000 rpm pto's on midsize "M" tractors the kit comes with a longer drawbar, usually the dealer just keeps them around. They make very good plates for a press as they are sharp-edged and made of very good steel!
Ed

 

[hodge]

Thanks, Ed. I do have a great relationship with my local dealership- Beverage Tractor in Stuarts Draft, Va. I sent the manager an email. I hadn't thought of a drawbar- it would be heat treated, and thick.
As always, the people who make up this forum are always helpful, usually insightful, and the greatest folks on earth.

 

[bobkeyes]

I had a 50 ton press and used 1" CR plate. It worked fine for everything I used it for.

 

[hodge]

I had a 50 ton press and used 1" CR plate. It worked fine for everything I used it for.

I did some rummaging down in the barn, and found some 3/4"x2" stuff, and an 1 1/4"x2" drawbar. I will cut them to length tomorrow, and that should do me just fine.
I have some 7/8"x2 CR, but that is for stabilizers. I don't want to burn that up.