The Armour Archive

Well this is the first bit of armour I have made with my press. The front comes out way to far, going to have to mod my pattern. I could have cut and fixed it by hand but I didnt want to because I wanted to see how long it would take me to get a helm top done. The cutting, shaping and welding took just a little over an hour. Getting the bottom cut, bent and a little shape put in to it, I hope wont be more then 45mins to an hour. I dont think it came out to bad for an hour of work and not knowing what the hell I was doing. The next ones shape will be better.

<img src="http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/5808/front3gt.jpg" border="0" width="285" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

<img src="http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/4098/side8em.jpg" border="0" width="385" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

What kind of press are you using and do you happen to have pics of the press?








Max

Powered hydraulic with a double acting cylinder. It works like a log spliter. I will get some pics of it up but its just a big H frame.

Wow! With a bit of practice this will be scary fast.

Do many armourers use presses like this? What do they look like?

Curious,

Neato. Does this work take a 20-ton press? 50? 100 ton?

What are you using for dies?
Is this two pieces welded together, or one piece bent on itself and welded?

Looking good....

I know a few people out there use presses. Most dont or just dont own up to it if they do (I dont blame them)

This top is 14 ga and it only took 2-3 tons to dish it out. Its more about the psi then the overall tons. If you did it in just one pass I am sure it would take more tons (most likely not more then 10) but it wouldnt be that great as you could only make one thing one size in them. The way I use it its just like replacing hammer blows.

Its 2 parts welded together but it could be done in one. It would just take longer.

Ok so here are the pics of the press and the dies

<img src="http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/9202/dies6cv.jpg" border="0" width="420" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

<img src="http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/2734/newpress9me.jpg" border="0" width="352" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

OK, so that guillotine-thing is the press. I'm guessing it has a piston at the top which rams the metal ball down into the wood block? Is it air driven?

Thanks and 'scuse my ignorance.

Yeah thats how it works. The wood is very springy, just have to be carefull not to crush it to the point of splintering.

Hydraulics work on liquids in this case oil. The oil is driven by a 2 stage log spliter pump being direct driven by a 5hp electric motor.