I dropped $450 on a hydraulic press for my shop and it's either the best tool I own or a total money pit, what do you think?

On one hand, it lets me draw out billets for Damascus in minutes instead of hours, but on the other, the maintenance and power draw are a constant headache, so was it worth it?

3 comments

3 Comments

uma_ellis15d ago

Sounds like a tool that pays for itself in saved time. If you're making Damascus billets regularly, those minutes add up fast. The power bill and upkeep are just the cost of doing real work. You bought a beast, now you gotta feed it. Totally worth the headache for that kind of result.

wesley18115d ago

Man you're not wrong. I say that now, but I'm the guy who bought a giant drawing tablet thinking it would make me faster. Turns out my brain is still the slow part. So yeah, the beast needs feeding, but sometimes I forget to buy the groceries, you know? Still, watching those billets come out perfect has to feel good.

grantw3214d ago

Honestly, I felt the same way when I got my big band saw. Tbh, I just started setting a calendar reminder to check the oil and blades every Friday afternoon. Ngl, it's boring, but it keeps the thing running smooth and stops me from forgetting.