Hare Hydraulic Press, anyone?

I don't know anyone who's used one of these, so was wondering if anyone one here may have came across one? Possibly ever used one?

I've never used a hydraulic press before but I would like to acquire one eventually.

A hydraulic forging press for hot work.

I have done a lot of forging over the past few years and the natural path is to get a machine to take some of the strain off your body. I enjoy swinging a hammer as much as anyone but for some of the grunt work on larger stock, a machine would be most welcome and open up my creative possibilities (and save a lot of time).

There are presses made in China, Anyang - these are well regarded and well made, used by many people. However, the romantic in me would always prefer something made in England and something that already has a history to it.

The "Hare" hydraulic presses seem to be very common on the used market and so I guess, not in demand so much (and Hare unfortunately went out of business recently, IIRC).

The issue is acquiring any knowledge as to their suitability in adapting for hot work.

Anyone on here happen to have used one or have any knowledge about them? It would be sincerely appreciated.

If this isn't an appropriate place to ask, I do apologise.

Many thanks,

Richard

I'm probably missing something here, but to me a hydraulic press is something that works slowly but with great force, whereas I imagine you want something more like a power hammer? Apologies if I'm wrong.

Rob

Thanks Rob.

You're not wrong! Many hydraulic presses are very slow - for example the workshop types where you pump them up by hand, very slowly squeezing the materials together. Great if you're press fitting something together, I guess.

The type I mean is motorized and for forging. They up/down movements are much quicker. So you can squeeze with significant force then move your materials, squeeze again etc.

There are a lot of different types of presses of course and there are motorized ones that are never intended to be quick.

Hydraulic presses are commonly used in forge welding damascus billets together, for example.

Presumably, hydroforming tubing, etc uses the same principle.

I built a stamping machine( producing laminate samples) a couple of years ago. The heart of the machine was a 5T Hare Hydraulic press. What do you need to know?