The upside here, for a tiny metal shop, is that hydraulic presses can do operations (e.g. cutting, grinding, bending) much quieter than other methods (grinders, hammering) of doing the same operation can. This is partly because the hydraulic press can perform its work over a longer period of time.
The downsides are that the dies are numerous, expensive, and heavy, and the press itself is large and very heavy.
Cutting:
Joining:
Forming:
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Jewelry:
Similar tools: