Very cool. Want to make another one?It is hydraulic driven and I made it.View attachment 80456View attachment 80457View attachment 80458View attachment 80459
One is enough, nobody would pay what that is worth.
Yes Ken the pump powers the press and the rolling mill.That is beyond impressive. You did some work, and some thinking with that layout. Is the rolling mill driven by a hydraulic motor powered by the same pump as the press? You have a set of valves in the hydraulic lines to the press cylinder that will divert the flow to the rolling mill motor?
I (and I'm sure the other folks would also) LOVE to see a few more photos showing the layout and how it's all connected up.
Again, impressive work and engineering to put that all together.
That might not be true....Nobody would pay what that is worth
This might be though..One is enough...
Me too!!!!I have had the plans for the McDonald rolling mill for years. Who would you go to if you wanted to have one built? I cant even begin to attempt such a project.
Was that Grant Sarver?I remember than somebody out in the Pacific Northwest
I could go to 2500 PSI without running out of HP but have got the pump compensator set at 2000 PSI which gives a force of 56,000 lbs which is more than enough to forge.Thanks for the info, makes it even more impressive. Looks like you're using a single stage pump, but getting the effect of a 2 stage pump with high volume flow at lower pressure, then the slower 3gpm at high pressure. IMPRESSIVE engineering for sure. What is your max pressure on that 6" cylinder? Got to create a LOTS of tons, at only 2500 psi that's around 35 tons. It will make my 4" ram seem puny.
Good job. I'm still impressed with the rolling mill.
Matt WhitmusWas that Grant Sarver?
That's still 28 tons. I've heard folks talk about how 20 tons (and even more) are needed for forging. That had me a bit concerned when I ordered the 12 ton Coal Iron press, then found out it was only a 9 ton press, NOT the 12 ton advertised (they use a 3" cylinder at 2500 psi). After putting a pressure gauge I realized I was only getting 8 ton (2250 psi) from my press and was still amazed how well it forged a billet. The trick is using small dies, only 1.5" wide which makes a 9 ton press work like an 18 ton press with 3" wide dies. I changed to a 4" cylinder.I could go to 2500 PSI without running out of HP but have got the pump compensator set at 2000 PSI which gives a force of 56,000 lbs which is more than enough to forge.
Thanks.Matt Whitmus
According to Josh Smith circa 2020, he doesn't build them anymore.Thanks.