Originally written by ehostetter (12/5/2011 11:11 AM)

I just finished not 15 minutes ago sending out this emal to Eddie
Hostetter. I suppose I should just write up a set of plans for
people who want to build their own presses.
You should really have a picture of some of the presses I build in
the past, which I sold 12 of them to pyro guys. I'm sure you
could get some one to post a picture here on Passfire if you
asked. I don't know how to post a picture otherwise I would.
Steve

Ed:
All 13 presses I built were slightly different from one another.
The reason for this was the fact that I tried to build the lightest in
weight that I could build so it would be easy to transport. Each
press from the first one to the last one became heavier to
improve the strength. So if you do have one built, don't skimp on
strength, and of course this means more weight. All the presses
had some bending issues but the very first one I did build was
i press cgf to 4500 lbs and have good luck at that.
To figure out what a press will output lets do this

We buy a cylinder with a 3 1/2" internal bore 1 1/4" rod 14" stroke two way
( ram up ram down cost about 150.00) 2000 psi max operating pressure.

the math 3.5/2 = 1.75 * 3.1416 = 9.62115 this is your total area.
now is we just put 200lb od pressure on this ram 200 * 9.62115 we are
generating 1924.23 pounds on the ram. now you have to find your tools
use my excell spread sheet you will love, just use the top guage pressure
and it will change all you tool pressures. to adjust your pressure on the ram
down install a knife blade pressure regulator with it's return back to the
tank. down you can dead head your ram set your output pressure to the
ram, and you can start pressing away and not have to look and stop on
time. i'll take a picture of my press and the plumbing and send it to you. I
think i spent around 500.00 on hdy parts, hoses, ram and pump.

later
sparky

SPARKYMYRL@aol.com
mine and that bending issure on mine doesn't bother me because
it's the same all the time.
My best advice is to use channel iron for the sides and top cross
pieces. Add a 3/4 inch plate to the top and the bottom for
strength. You can either slide in these plates or weld them in
place. The top plate should be welded in place. And don't make
the uprights any wider than 10-12 inches wide. This keeps the
press stiff.
At the PGI this year, there were 3 of my presses that I built real
close together in that area. I hope you looked real close at all of
them and at least took some pictures. Jim's was one of them.
They all worked good. So out of all the pressed I built, using all 3
or 4" channel for the entire frame is best. And making it square
in all directions is the most important task.
So whatever size you want to build it, take your pick. Anyone is
the business of welding and cutting should be able to put
together a simple frame for you with the proper holes for
mounting a cylinder. Then getting all the hydraulics and fittings is
another step. Bring the finished press to a hydraulics shop and
show them what you have and they should be able to take care
of all the fittings for you. And don't forget to mount a blast
sheild. A plastics shop should be able to provide you with a piece
of lexan at least 3/4 inch thick. I use two 3/8 pieces sandwitched
i press cgf to 4500 lbs and have good luck at that.
To figure out what a press will output lets do this

We buy a cylinder with a 3 1/2" internal bore 1 1/4" rod 14" stroke two way
( ram up ram down cost about 150.00) 2000 psi max operating pressure.

the math 3.5/2 = 1.75 * 3.1416 = 9.62115 this is your total area.
now is we just put 200lb od pressure on this ram 200 * 9.62115 we are
generating 1924.23 pounds on the ram. now you have to find your tools
use my excell spread sheet you will love, just use the top guage pressure
and it will change all you tool pressures. to adjust your pressure on the ram
down install a knife blade pressure regulator with it's return back to the
tank. down you can dead head your ram set your output pressure to the
ram, and you can start pressing away and not have to look and stop on
time. i'll take a picture of my press and the plumbing and send it to you. I
think i spent around 500.00 on hdy parts, hoses, ram and pump.

later
sparky

SPARKYMYRL@aol.com
together.
And of course, you will need a pump. I don't reccomend using an
electrically operated one. One with a hand operated and
activated pump will give you better control over tweeking it
downward, just like the ones you saw at the PGI.
I hope this helps you some.
Steve

Steve..
We met briefly at PGI this past year. You may better remember
my wife Carol as she was getting her pyro fix courtesy of Jim
Biersach and was around on Friday in the mfg area helping some
folks get packed up during the rainstorm.

Anyway, Carol and I want to get a press, and want something

unique, but don't want to really build it ourselves. What we can
do is get the major parts made for us by a fabrication shop I've
had other work done for my day job. Those fellows would be
i press cgf to 4500 lbs and have good luck at that.
To figure out what a press will output lets do this

We buy a cylinder with a 3 1/2" internal bore 1 1/4" rod 14" stroke two way
( ram up ram down cost about 150.00) 2000 psi max operating pressure.

the math 3.5/2 = 1.75 * 3.1416 = 9.62115 this is your total area.
now is we just put 200lb od pressure on this ram 200 * 9.62115 we are
generating 1924.23 pounds on the ram. now you have to find your tools
use my excell spread sheet you will love, just use the top guage pressure
and it will change all you tool pressures. to adjust your pressure on the ram
down install a knife blade pressure regulator with it's return back to the
tank. down you can dead head your ram set your output pressure to the
ram, and you can start pressing away and not have to look and stop on
time. i'll take a picture of my press and the plumbing and send it to you. I
think i spent around 500.00 on hdy parts, hoses, ram and pump.

later
sparky

SPARKYMYRL@aol.com
happy to make a frame and stand for us.

I understood (and maybe incorrectly) that you had built your fill
of rocket presses for others. What I wanted to know is there any
circumstance you'd consider a private consulting gig, where
you'd develop the specs for a press, and then I would
compensate you for your time and effort? Maybe a design, cut
sheet, and set of specs, and a build sheet?

Trust all is well.

best
eddie hostetter
hostetter@goeaston.net

i press cgf to 4500 lbs and have good luck at that.

To figure out what a press will output lets do this

We buy a cylinder with a 3 1/2" internal bore 1 1/4" rod 14" stroke two way
( ram up ram down cost about 150.00) 2000 psi max operating pressure.

the math 3.5/2 = 1.75 * 3.1416 = 9.62115 this is your total area.
now is we just put 200lb od pressure on this ram 200 * 9.62115 we are
generating 1924.23 pounds on the ram. now you have to find your tools
use my excell spread sheet you will love, just use the top guage pressure
and it will change all you tool pressures. to adjust your pressure on the ram
down install a knife blade pressure regulator with it's return back to the
tank. down you can dead head your ram set your output pressure to the
ram, and you can start pressing away and not have to look and stop on
time. i'll take a picture of my press and the plumbing and send it to you. I
think i spent around 500.00 on hdy parts, hoses, ram and pump.

later
sparky

SPARKYMYRL@aol.com