Libtardopia Lost wrote:
One of my 20 ton presses is a straight-side and not an OBI. The bed will
move up and down with a big screw and handwheel under the bed. Some time in
the past, the bed must not have been perpendicular with the ram and somebody
shimmed the 2" thick x 30" x 24" bolster plate 3/16" on one side. The
bolster plate has a 7" hole in the center for blanks and parts to drop
through.

A set-up man was having a problem getting a die lined up and that's when we
noticed the crack through the bolster plate running front to back right
through the center. I'm sure it was the 3/16" of shim on one side and years
and years of beating.

Now I have to see if I can get it welded and ground or do we make a new one?
In any case, I WIN with the biggest piece of steel (cast steel) I ever
broke! It was one of those "Holy Crap!" moments.


Sorry to hear its broke,
But if it is steel, then it would have bent before it broke. My guess is
its CAST iron.
any welding will be a temportary fix for cast in a press situation.
I suggest you think about getting one made out of steel,
That should last the life of the press.
Ted
Dorset
UK.