Finally gave in and tried a fly press for drawing out stock

Honestly, I always thought a fly press was just a fancy toy compared to a power hammer. But last weekend at a meetup in Portland, this older smith let me try his 3-ton fly press on a 1-inch round bar. After three passes I could see the metal moving way faster and more even than my hammer work. Have any of you switched and found it worth the floor space?

2 comments

2 Comments

johnflores17d ago

Ha! A fancy toy, huh? That's what I said too until I tried one. Now I'm the guy who sold his power hammer and bought a fly press. No joke. The control you get for drawing out is unreal. My first time using one I just stood there staring at the metal moving so smooth and even. Made me feel like I'd been doing it wrong for ten years. Ever try one on a thicker billet? I'm curious how they handle that.

phoenix2917d ago

Forgot to mention those presses need a solid foundation or the whole setup walks across the shop floor.