Making a log splitter forging press
In this video, we'll take an inexpensive 110V, 5-ton log splitter and modify it so it can be used as a forging press with hands-free foot control. I am amazed at just how well this works.
A huge thank you to Princess Auto for sponsoring this video and providing me with the log splitter as well as a lot of the tools and supplies used in this project. This is the log splitter that I got from Princess Auto: www.princessauto.com/en/5-ton...
#princessauto #forgepress #bladesmith
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Dude 14 ton now for 5-600! Crazy perfect solution!
Ive blown out my elbow trying to make canister Damascus aswell as wasted a ton of valuable material. I e shopped around for a press for months and finally decided to build one out of a log splitter. It gets delivered tomorrow but i found this video this morning and with the scrap i have laying around you have me a whole new idea on how im going to build it. Thanks for making this video
Oh thanks sucks about your elbow. I hope it heals well. I’m glad this video is helpful. Cheers👍
My parents had a log splitter growing up. Shortly after it graduated high school and moved out, they bought a brand new pellet stove!
That spring button switch is a safety feature to keep both hands away from the working end. Change the switch to a regular on/off so the motor has a chance to run efficiently. It will run cooler and the load demand will not bog the motor down with each start up to build pressure.
Thank you for your content. I have really enjoyed your episodes. Your down-to-earth no BS info is right on. Thank you.
Thank you so much man! I really appreciate hearing this. Your kind words have made an impact and brightened my evening. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Cheers👍
You are absolutely right that folks get hung up on thinking they need to build the exact way that you are. When I first started watching your videos quite some time ago I just had my belt grinder and drill press. There were limitations but I was able to find ways around and still make workable items. I have since gotten a Mig welder and a mill and both have opened so many options. Thanks for keeping me thinking of ways to have more fun.
I've been wanting to build one of these for a while now. Thanks for the great video, Jeremy!
Right on. I was shocked how well it worked. You’re welcome and thank for watching!
You’re video popped up (I’m a subscriber), and I watched. Great video, very applicable, and an awesome source of information. Thanks Ron 😊
Good call on the safety glasses. I work in an industrial setting. When I see people breaking the safety rules there, I tell them, "It ain't going to happen to me...until it does. Then it's too late." I have a 30 ton log splitter that I'm having a friend fabricate mounts for to turn it into a press. I want to be able to still use it as a log splitter too. Great video!
Interesting tool conversion. We shared this video on our homemade tools forum this week 😎
Best one I have seen on the tube !!! Especially it being easily converted back to a log splitter. Nice set up sir!!
Thank you so much! 👍
very cool. thank you 🤘
Yep, i have to build one. Found what i thought was your exact log splitter and ordered it. Turns out the head on the end of the ram is not removable. It has simply been welded to the end of the shaft. We must adapt! I had thought, like you, of making it so i can still use it as a log splitter when needed. As i use five cords of wood each year, this would be helpful. However at $329 for this log splitter, i will make this on fully dedicated forge press and buy another for the woodshed. Forge on!!
This is a really awesome build
Good build, interesting using the smaller size, a lot of people seem to go for the bigger splitters.
Thank you . Your creativity is truly inspiring I myself haven't started forging but enjoyed your video . Pertec those peepers
Jared awesome job. I have been hoping to do something like this in my small blacksmith shop. Very nice video. This could be very useful and helpful video. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend Jared. Weld on. Fab on Forge on. Keep making. Good bless.
Awesome build.
I feel like even a guy who just bought that as a log splitter would love having a foot switch. Cool!
Thanks I am 100% trying this
It really came out well really cool 😎 great work Sir 👍👏
I've been wanting to make this too great job
Great idea or set of ideas! This is too cool!
Thank you so much!
I definitely agree with you on the pins, I don't find set screws in a collar are amazingly strong in stuff I make. I'd even consider putting the pin through side to side with a split pin to hold it in case they wiggle loose. Like you said, you don't want to mess around with tons of force.
I've got mine turned vertical. Heavily modified with a bicycle brake cable pedal to make it hands free. I made a cutting die so I can still split wood. All the pressing force is directly on the end of the ram now! I've been making demascus on it for a couple years now in its original horizontal position. I haven't had a chance to try the upgrade yet. But soon! Nice build Jeremy!
Impressive!
Was thinking a bike brake cable would let you move the pedal around and still operate the lever.
nice idea - cool
Love your videos. You have the right attitude and can do anything you want to do with that and anything in life. Merry Christmas to you and family John and Cathy Stockdale
I want to do this same setup so I can do damascus! I think I will start with a press that is vertical though! Great video and thanks for the new word--squishability!!!
As a container owner you can use that to make additional roof and floor tiedown loops then weld those in place to support any hanging shelf or machine or what ever with zero footprint. I added many usable cubic feet of heavy storage by fabbing angle steel shelves (upward facing trays with plywood inserts and steel crossbraces) hung by torch bent round bar hooks from the stock tiedown loops but I've also added a few. They can support workbenches etc too and no welding to the sides of the box means no coating burn through.
This gives me lots of ideas. I would think that leaving the motor running and pedaling just the lever would keep the machine happy. The idle time gives the motor a chance to cool itself. You’re on to something with the start cap getting tired. It’s designed for the occasional on rather than being pulsed.
Great video! I use my 22 ton wood splitter for my press too. All I did was take the splitting head off and put a flat head on it. Works good!
Nice your going to love the forging Cheers, Martin
yep, my buddy at Exmoor Blades has frankensteined his log splitter forge, they really work!
Right on! I’ve had a few folks on IG send videos of theirs in action and I had no clue how rad they were👍
Im very glad you showed your bloopers. It lets me know im not the only one haha
Hahahaha right on! I could do a whole lot of bloopers at the end of each video. 😆👍
What a cool idea & an interesting build, thanks - enjoyed watching...
Thank you!
Dude what a great lathing 😉 and dope project. Love it!
Hahahaha!! Thank you. I think that should become the proper way of saying it😆👍
Cool project! I’ve thought about doing the same but was concerned that it wouldn’t be powerful enough. Looks it might have to try it
Mwahaha another one to join the splitter tribe 😆 welcome mate 🤙 I have been using my 8 ton in a similar fashion for the last year and a half I am however in the process of turning into a vertical press now so I can also make hammers my log splitter seems to be slightly different, 20 layer twist damascus is no problem with the press, same with forging out large stock, I think everyone really does underestimate these. I have had the same problem aswell as a few other Aussie makers with the jamming up after quick bites if you come up with anything solution wise definitely do an update 👍 Cheers
That's a 5 ton log splitter? Wow, you must be incredibly strong to be able to lift it up onto the wall of your shipping container.... Lol sorry, couldn't myself.... I'm excited to see what you do with your new press.
I wired mine to an on/off switch for the motor and then used a foot pedal to control the ram nice build keeping it usable for logs as well
For some reason, this one is designed that when the motor is running, the tan will not retract. The motor keeps pressure on it and that’s why I put in the foot switch. I am going to look at the hydraulic circuit though and see if that can be altered. I think there’s be finer control of it were just the lever I was moving instead of that and a switch👍
A friend of mine made a press at 1 of those electric splitters works excellent
I converted a splitter to a plastic injection molder. You should add a 4 inch inline exhaust fan to the motor. Duty cycle on them is low without added cooling
Great video again. I just bought a champion 7ton gas on clearance locally for 300 freedom bucks. Plan on doing the same and keeping it for splitting carbohydrate foam to heat the house. Video in the next 2 months. Thanks for some good ideas
It will definitely forge weld which will definitely make some damascus stock... great idea!
I made one out of a Wen log splitter when I first started trying to make Damascus and it worked for about 3 months with very minimal use but I had to keep fixing it because pieces would break off and welds would fail so I eventually went with making my own press with a 20 ton air jack. It is much slower than the log splitter but it works all the time. I have never had to modify anything on it other than the way I attached my dies. Good luck with her though it looks awesome! Keep us updated on your progress with it!
How about that ,I also made an air over hydraulic and that’s when I went with a 20 ton full hydraulic log splitter Now I build them from the ground up if I want one
I appreciate your post, I've been looking at one of those for that and you just saved me a bunch of trouble.
I have a magnet on my ground clamp so it can attach to any steel , works great. Cheers
Awesome! I've been wondering if my Princess 12 ton shop press would be of any use, for forging, now I know it would be! Thanks!
Love the foot switch that you hooked up. I have one of these exact log splitters from princess auto. Due to a bad shoulder injury need it to split my wood. Works great. I would love bit of help with what you did to the wiring to make the foot peddle work. I am good with still using the hydrologic arm for making it move to split .... Can't stand that it's requires two hands one on button and one on arm for making it move to split. No hands to hold large pieces of wood. Thanks in advance for any help you can lend me. Would buy foot petal with a link and any help with the wiring to make it like you have yours set up so only one hand on arm with the screw knob.... loved that part... I was trying to tell you on the screen. Thanks again John Stockdale
Actually know a guy who lost a finger using a log splitter. Pretty powerful machines! Now he happened to be using it with another person and the issue was on the communication side. I think the way it's being used here - while certainly not "safe" from a regulatory perspective at least is being controlled by one person and with careful operation should be an effective tool! Nice work thanks for sharing.
Mind blown
Very cool
Thank you!
Very cool brother.
Thank you!
That is really a good idea. Maybe you can add an adjustable pressure releaf valve to control the presure and to help with the pressure release under load. I'm also looking to start making knifes and this is a cheaper idea to do forging.
Good luck on the journey of seeing what this thing can do. I bet it won't be long before you are upgrading it to a higher force unit
I agree with you about safety glasses but don't forget security shoes 😅👍
Fun!
Great idea and video. I was watching a fk knives video where he was using a press and I thought I must be nice to not have the loud bangs of a power hammer. Then you come out with this affordable option. Thank you
I'd definitely call that a success for what it is, the rest would just be tuning it up to suit the stroke length (maybe a bit shorter) and your dies. Most of the initial forge welding you tend to do at hammer-strength blows and once its hanging together you can mush it into the press to shape and suit. Probably some kiss-blocks might be your first choice of dies so you can dimension your billet at the end. Pretty cool!
I am surprised how well that came out. Now I want one. Maybe the control could be a momentary switch for the heal and return control for the toes. That way it runs the whole time you are forging, yet saves the motor from constant starts.
Thanks. I issue is that the hydraulic circuit is suck that when the motor is running, the cylinder will not retract. It’s the one downer with this splitter. Oh well 👍
Pretty cool idea. hope it works out well for you. have to say I'm jealous of some of your tooling equipment. I would absolutely love to own a lathe, a mill as well as a plasma cutter. plasma cutter is actually in the works as we speak but think a lathe and a mill is gonna take me awhile to aquire. fortunately the bakery I work at actually has a lathe and a mill so worst case scenario I can always use those which I have a few times already in the 3yrs i worked for company im at. funny thing is most people I work with have no clue what those tools are even called and are astonished that I'm able to use them without any help from anyone. guess they figure a guy that mixes dough can't possibly know how to use a lathe or a mill but little do they know I learned how to use that stuff at a shop I worked at in high-school that built motors and whatnot. didn't use a lathe or mill for about 15yrs so did take me a few for everything to come back to me but man those 2 tools alone can do soo much if you have the knowhow and patience. I've actually been wondering if you can make a knife blade on a mill rather than on a 2x72 sander and have been wanting to try at work but usually just want to get the hell out of that place once my shift is over. Lmao
I love my log splitter conversion. I need to change some hoses, but it's great for damascus and working down larger stock or hammer/axe making. The one thing that you need to keep in mind is scaling ... if your forge is oxidizing, you'll press a lot of scale into the steel. This is IMHO the one advantage of a power hammer; those blast off scale. If I'm making hammers or axes; I need to brush the steel more, this is the only "disadvantage", other than that, it's usable in a urban environement, it makes much less noise, and it's powerfull enough to do what i need it to do.
What ton is your press, and how large of a stack are you able to forge weld? I'm curious what size would work best for pattern welding enough steel for larger knives.
I made the same but out of a 7t standing version and it just works so well when you work with steel for one or two knifes. Wire is good; easy to move around and get it out of the way. But use trundle/ a two wheel setup (down/right/down). I would also just have that connected to the mechanical switch. The electric I would replace with an on/off version. I trun it on, take the steel out of the forge, press, put steel in to the forge, turn it of. You then should eliminate the start/stopp issue. But don't let it run in between press-cycles, since the resorvar are sp small on these splitters.
This one won’t retract with the motor running. It actually slowly advances. I am going to look and see if I can adjust that somehow but quickly looking at it I couldn’t see anything. I wonder if it’s a safety feature they have in this one?
Great video! I just finished up converting a 6.5 ton to a forging press. I just have to figure out the wiring for the foot pedal.
Thank you! That’s cool to hear. Have you tried it out yet? I’d be curious to hear how your initial experience is. 👍
I'm about to make a log splitter press and found this video very helpful. Any chance of a follow-up video showing improvements, do you still use it? Did you make any more shaping dies? Thanks, Kevin
Thanks for this video Jeremy. 1 year later and a new shop, are you still using it? Did you make any other modifications after the video? If you were to build it again today, what would have done different if anything?
I replaced my ground clamp on one of my welders with an old pair of vice grips with some copper pipe bashed onto one jaw with a bolt through it holding the cable. Works well and doesnt come off. Not quite as convenient as spring clamp though.
Cool project. I have been wondering how one might set a splitter up for a forge press. I loved the eye protection lesson caught on camera. Protect those eyes!
Thank you! I know a lot of folks go vertical with the cylinder but I’d hear this log splitter in particular doesn’t last long when set up like that but it’s hard to say for sure. Figured I should leave that in there. A happy accident turned into a teaching lesson for me, and those who watched 😆👍
I used a base plate and put small angle iron on both sides so I can slide the dyes in and out.
Very cool. I didnt like the way it sat horizontal so I stood mine upright. Also made a foot switch right to the arm which made it so much better. Keeping the motor running and just using the foot switch, manual linkage, keeps it from dogging out and much smother in and out. I should buy another one and do a vid on how I made it. Very simple once you figure out how to get the linkage to work on the return stroke. That was a pain but not to hard to do after fumbling for hrs to see what it was doing lol.
The design of this unit has the reservoir and pump as a single cast unit and that prevents me from mounting it vertically. Also, there is no way to return the cylinder when the motor is running. Absolutely no way as again the valve is built in as a single unit with the pump and reservoir casting. Part of what makes this unit so cheap I suppose.
Nice job ,keeping the hope for those who dont have the extra 5k usa to buy a press
Add an adjustable stop collar to your ram so you can keep it from drawing all the way back and then add a depth stop of some sort so you can have a predetermined thickness. I've been thinking of getting into forging and I'd already wondered if I could use my splitter for a press. First time seeing you channel, well done.
Liked this build up. I’ve been thinking of getting a 6 ton one and seeing this 5 ton one work so well I’m very happy with that. What type of foot pedal is that and where can I buy one?
Jermy, Your press is the only horizontal that i have seen on you tube. Most presses are mounted vertical. But yours does work. You might have a first horizontal press in knife making. As long as it works , Thats what counts. Now to see you smush some metal.
Brilliant build!! Can you tell me the aproximate dimensions of the round tube that you used for the anvil portion?
You can mount it to an axel hub and swing it out away from the wall for longer items. Also, you can mount a stop on the cylinder so it doesn't retract as far giving you a faster return.
Oh...!! It's threaded..
Just another idiot moment on KZhead 😆👍
Nearly wet myself there😀😀😀😀😀
First!!! Definitely on my radar
Right on! 👍
Very cool build. Have you had any problems with the thermal switch cuttin out and having to reset it every so many times if using. Have also thought about increasing air flow to the motor. By using repeatedly, it's kicking the power off, then having to wait a few minutes to hit the rest button. Possible to increase the oil reserve to keep cool. Thanks again for a wonderful video.
I think this is one of the better examples of converting one of these I’ve seen the one thing I will say though it would be way easier to use if you was to flip it up on its end it would also reduce the footprint then you just rest of the work piece on the bottom die preferably the one that doesn’t move. Just an idea👍
Thank you. The reason I had to leave it horizontal is because the pump and reservoir are a one piece casting and vertical running would not allow the hydraulic oil to be picked up by the pump and it would cause cavitation in the pump. Otherwise I totally would have done that and I think it would have been better. Cheers👍
Hot damn, you read my mind. I've been wondering if this would work.
My suggestion would be to is weld a piece to the back of that yellow V. not flush with the back of it but just a little forward then drill and tap one or two holes in the back of the piece you made for it. and tighten it up with bolts to stop the play.
Are you reading my mind?!?! I was just looking at the coal iron works 12 ton and wondering if this could work as well. Keep it up!
Hahaha! I think those coal iron works bring a higher level of control to the game but I figured this would be a fun way to get into it. All in, this project cost less than $400 US so that’s a fairly low entry fee to get started. Those coal iron ones sure do look nice though 😆👍
You earned a subscription from this video! First one of yours I have watched. Good video with simple explanations without being drawn out! How has the press held up? What have you changed about it?
Awesome, thank you!
Hi Jemery. For the foot switch, maybe you can use a brake cable from a bike og motorcycle, the you have the flexibility to move the foot switch around. Thanks for all your good KZhead content. Br. Kenneth
This is a neat idea for a cheap press. Just a heads up, you are doing to damage your dies quickly if you keep forging that cold (generally you want the piece bright orange, red or duller is too cold).
I recently started looking for a press that I could let in and out easily. I came up with the same conclusion, using an Electrical powered hydraulic log splitter. I unfortunately can’t afford to,pick up a used one right now. I’ll have to hire someone to weld on sockets for forging dies and find a way to make the dies.
hmmmm looks pretty familiar...good job though man minimal movement is key from my experience with mine. as soon as something pushes up or sideways an 8th of an inch it messes up pretty bad yours are nice and stable and rigid!!!
Very cool! I don’t know about log splitters but it seems since your hanging it in the wall putting it vertically would make more sense. Could just make a bracket to hang by the wheels. I guess maybe the hydraulic tank is is not designed to be vertical? Or maybe you want it in this position for the ability to use as a log splitter? Just curious. I would like to make something like this as well. Anyways great video!
Princess auto is like the Canadian Harbor Freight lol
A spring under the foot pedal with a bar connecting the wire and the pedal, set on a pivot, would be able to bring the pedal closer to a balanced stance for you.
Hey Jim what is the manufacturer of the splitter?
I've had the same idea with turning a log splitter into a press. My big question is: Would it be more effective to use a vertical splitter as opposed to a horizontal one? I know that space is a consideration for you as well as myself. Excellent video and appreciate the time you spent to put this together. 👍🏻
Every log splitter press conversion I've seen was vertical, maybe the hydraulic system in this one wasn't designed to be operated vertically.
A little bit of advice I usually give people that are wanting to make Hand Forged Knives is... Learn the basics of Blacksmithing first, and spend your first Year doing Architectural work or Making Tools before moving on to Forging Blades so as to fine tune your skills and set them into Muscle Memory... Anyhow, I think that's the second Horizontal Forging Press I have ever seen, Pretty Nifty set up I might add :)
That is some good advice. I probably don’t understand it yet but I feel I will later see this as excellent advice. As one who loves grinding knives (more than forging metal) I find so much pressure to go straight to blades. I will openly say I have no clue what I am doing with glowing metal in my hands (unless I’m heat treating it). I really appreciate your words of wisdom here. Thank you.
No worries I'm glad that you'll be able to make use of the information in the near future :)
Good job, little welding pro tip, get a real brass ground clamp lol 😆
How are you liking it so far?
Does it forge weld?
Cool. I can't help to wonder if you maybe could put a switch to the electric so that the engine runs continuously. And control the hydraulic with the foot. For some reason i think that would save on the motor and pump.
No that’s not possible with this. The pump valve and reservoir are a solid aluminum unit and the valve is such that when the pump is running, there is always a slight positive pressure on the cylinder. I wish I could run it continuously but the cylinder will not retract while the motor (pump) is running. Oh well, this does work for what I need this to do 👍
@@Simplelittlelife could you add a quarter turn hydraulic valve before the ram?
🤩🤩