An important point needs to be made here about using any old cheap
hydraulic press to try and do the same processes that you would do on
a more well-made press, specifically one designed for forming and
drawing metal, the Bonny Doon. While it’s easy to to think that there
isn’t much difference in preformance and functionality between one
from say, Harbor Freight, and the BD, one has to understand that one
press was designed for use at the top end of it’s capacity for long
term use and the other press (the cheap one) was not.
While it’s not incorrect to say that many of the same things can be
done on cheap or expensive presses, it is correct to say that the BD
will do more things more easily, more safely, and more dependably
than a standard shop press. One has to be exteremely careful and the
tooling has to be completely secure, aligned, and stable when dealing
with 10,000 psi pressure, and 20 tons (or much more) of force.
For a system that comes ready to use for a wide range of
applications, a BD cannot be beat, there just isn’t anything else
like it in the price range. (yes you can spend a lot more than you
would on a BD if you want to). For simple blanking and low-profile
forming, it may not be necessary to get a BD, or even a hydraulic
press at all, for that matter. The Rio screw press is perfect for
small blanking projects , and quicker than a manual jack press, for
example.
I’m the same way as most people, I hesitate spending more than I
think I want to unless I absolutely have to, and at the same time I
know that it’s best to "buy once, and buy well ", and that that
usually means dropping more cash. It all depends on what you plan to
do with your tools. It’s always nice to end up with too much rather
than too little, and the need to go buy again.
I do think it would be great if there were another press on the
market, possibly something like a low-end Bonny Doon press, instead
of the deep draw press being entry-level. But I also understand the
need to have any 20 ton hydraulic press to be built a certain way
with certain strength requirements, and that aint cheap to do. So
this may be a fantasy, but maybe not.
Dar Shelton