Blocks for hydraulic press

[ChefRex]

I'm spoiled by the press I had at my last employers place, while I don't fix as much anymore, replace every thing!
But I do throw the good stuff in a corner.

I now deal with a HF press, I need blocks for it instead turning their press plates on end, it can get sketchy real fast but I'm not dealing with high pressure and don't want to spend a fortune, the blocks I formally had access to where probably 2x6?

I looked at McMaster-Carr but here are so many choices of steel, I have the ability to cut a bar. .

Open for suggestions

 

[alfadan]

No metal dealers around you? Look for some drops of steel.

 

[ChevyEFI]

HF 50 ton press plates kit is one easy option. Probably 1" x 3" like the Sunex comparable kit.

 

[Firebrick43]

2x3x12 1018 steel block

 

[Rinspeed]

Good gravy, you don't want McMaster-Carr, you want scrap material.

 

[ChefRex]

Good gravy, you don't want McMaster-Carr, you want scrap material.

I'm sure you're right, problem is around here you aren't walking into a scrap yard anymore.

Years ago I had access, no more.

 

[cvairwerks]

Try the drops room for your local steel yard.

 

[ChefRex]

Local?
I'm confused, there's a local airport, do you deliver?

 

[whateg01]

Local?
I'm confused, there's a local airport, do you deliver?

Quick Google search shows there are surplus steel places in New Jersey. There's also a lot of shipyards and associated steel fabricators.

https://metals.shopjfi.com/catalog.aspx?d=Bar&c=Steel&s=HotRollSB

 

[cvairwerks]

Local?
I'm confused, there's a local airport, do you deliver?

Virtually every steel yard there is, has a drops or offcuts area or room. All the less than half stick or half plates are gathered there and sold to small buyers at something over scrap prices, by weight. I regularly buy drops for projects when I don't want to buy full sticks or plates.

 

[mike93lx]

Local?
I'm confused, there's a local airport, do you deliver?

Where do you get material for projects? They will have an area for drops/cutoff and will sell it by the pound

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

Any farms in your area? Old farm equipment can be a good source

 

[danielbuck]

got any old hydraulic rams or jacks? cutting up the shafts of those make good spacers for a press, if you don't need something really wide.

 

[Mike007]

I see the OP is in Jersey. Fazzio is an excellent source for steel including drops. It was a few years ago, I picked up a bunch of 4"x12"x1" thick drops for this purpose. It was cheap too. I'm certain they will have something.

 

[Steve_P]

There are plenty of press plates new on Amazon, but you'll probably spend $100 for a pair. Start calling local fab or steel vendors as said above. I have to drive ~45 minutes each way to get steel, so that factors into my decision when I need something that I can just buy from McMaster (at a high price) and have it delivered.

 

[whateg01]

There are plenty of press plates new on Amazon, but you'll probably spend $100 for a pair. Start calling local fab or steel vendors as said above. I have to drive ~45 minutes each way to get steel, so that factors into my decision when I need something that I can just buy from McMaster (at a high price) and have it delivered.

Are those on Amazon forged or cast? Cheap ones are usually cast, ime

 

[Steve_P]

Are those on Amazon forged or cast? Cheap ones are usually cast, ime

There are plenty of ones cut from plate/bar, but they get expensive due to shipping costs.

Amazon.com : hydraulic press plates