I saw that one. I can't imagine cutting heavy steel with an angle grinder like that. Just the disc cost would soon pay for one of the Harbor Freight horizontal band saw. Plus you would end up having a saw for other things. I have one and was well pleased with it, a little tune up on it and it cut straight and square. Then I got a more expensive one from another machinery company. No matter what I've done it will not cut square.

I really still think your under estimating what will be needed to convert the splitter.

The heart attack thing is pretty much what it is, and just have to limit my physical exertion. No more lifting 100 pound logs into the back of a truck, then stacking them, and then lifting again to split them. But at 71 it was getting old any way.

The cutting part isn't a problem... My grandfather, and my uncle both have machinery to cut big pieces of steel; so that's not much of a problem. Only thing I think would be hard with one of those is finding the material, and getting everything aligned properly.

Yeah my grandfather says the same thing... He can't lift many things anymore, he's gotta take it easy.

 

Only thing I think would be hard with one of those is finding the material,[/QUOTE

Quick Google finds this - http://www.hitchinpostiron.com/steel-sales/

 

That's crazy! They're literally just a few mins from where i'm at... They might have what I need. Thanks!!

 

You are also aware that the main part of the press, the load bearing parts, don't need to go clear to the floor don't you?. The part going down to the floor can be made of thinner, smaller steel, like legs of a table. This will open up some other possibility's, and lessen cost. Many steel suppliers sell what is commonly called "drops", cut off pieces left over when cutting steel for other usually big customers. Many big guys that deal with a supplier will have steel cut to length for a job right at the supplier. Then the supplier sells the left over short pieces as 'drops', usually at a lower price.

This is a real good website when doing designing of something like you're attempting - https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ They have just about everything that you can imagine there. It puts many different formulas in one place and explains them better than any place I've ever found. It will give you some idea of what forces you are needing to understand in the press, both the mechanical side and the hydraulics. You definately want to make this strong and safe.

 

You are also aware that the main part of the press, the load bearing parts, don't need to go clear to the floor don't you?. The part going down to the floor can be made of thinner, smaller steel, like legs of a table. This will open up some other possibility's, and lessen cost. Many steel suppliers sell what is commonly called "drops", cut off pieces left over when cutting steel for other usually big customers. Many big guys that deal with a supplier will have steel cut to length for a job right at the supplier. Then the supplier sells the left over short pieces as 'drops', usually at a lower price.

This is a real good website when doing designing of something like you're attempting - https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ They have just about everything that you can imagine there. It puts many different formulas in one place and explains them better than any place I've ever found. It will give you some idea of what forces you are needing to understand in the press, both the mechanical side and the hydraulics. You definately want to make this strong and safe.

Thank you! I appreciate it.