Hydralic Jack Size

[Sliver Shooter]

I'm going to build a hydralic press for extruding and other press needs. What size jack would be minimum for squeezing lead? I have a 1 ton but have no clue as to the force needed. Thanks

[Smokin7mm]

I built a set up for extruding lead wire and I used a 20 Ton. Started out with a hand pump but that was a lot of work. I later switched over to a 20 Ton Air Hydraulic Bottle Jack. Works like a champ. It all depends on the billet size you start with and what size you want to extrude.

Bret

[ANeat]

Ive used a 20 ton as well, and as Bret stated, even thats not enough if you use big billets and try to squeeze it thru a small hole.

I eventually started casting the cores

[alfloyd]

I started with a 12 ton shop press, and it was lacking in proformance.
I then went with a 20 ton air over hyd. It works great with a 3/4 inch X 4 inch billet.
I you use a larger billet, you will need a larger jack.

Lafaun

[RP]

I built a small press and use a two ton jack to swage wire using one of alfloyd dies which I modified after breaking my hand press. I add pressure and some heat when I get it warmed up I make wire fairly fast. But when you get it going you better keep going or the die gets to hot and the wire will not form well. After saying all that I would use a 20 ton and skip the heat if I did it over again. If you have a shop style press like the ones you use to press on bearing and such I use it just mount your die in facing down.