JUGGERNAUT Hydraulic Forging Press — 18T & 29T

Built by a Production Smith. Engineered to Last a Lifetime.

The JUGGERNAUT is a Canadian-made hydraulic forging press, built in Ontario, Canada, designed for serious blacksmiths, bladesmiths, and production smiths who demand reliability, power, and zero compromise. With 30 years of heavy industry forging experience behind every weld, the JUGGERNAUT is not a hobby machine — it's a production tool.

We build our presses the way cast iron machinery was built in the old days — heavy, right, and from the ground up. No shortcuts. No "combined strength" engineering designed to hit a price point and protect a margin. We are a small company based in Ontario, Canada, and we intend to stay that way if that's what it takes to build machines we're proud of. Sacrificing build quality for volume isn't an option we're willing to take. We'd rather sell fewer machines and stand behind every single one.

Solid 1" Plate Steel Construction — Nothing to Fail

The JUGGERNAUT frame is built from solid 1" thick plate steel. The window for the ram is plasma-cut directly out of the plate and hand-ground to fit the ram plates precisely. That's it. One solid piece of steel per side — not a collection of separate pieces welded together and counting on those welds to hold under tens of thousands of forging cycles.

Most press frames on the market are fabricated from multiple pieces of steel joined by welds. Welds are strong — but they are also the first place fatigue shows up over time, especially under the repeated, high-load stress of production forging. When a weld fails on a fabricated frame, the machine fails with it.

On a JUGGERNAUT, there is nothing to fail. The main structural members are solid plate. The strength isn't in the welds — it's in the steel itself. That's the difference between a machine built to last a career and one built to a price point.

H-Frame Design — The Strongest Press Frame You Can Build

Not all press frames are equal — and the difference matters more than most buyers realize.

A C-frame press is open on one side, which makes it easy to access the work piece from multiple angles. But that open design comes at a serious cost: under load, a C-frame will yawn. Watch one closely while forging off-centre and you'll see the ram visibly deflect and twist away from the side being worked. That twisting introduces uneven stress on the guide system and the cylinder with every single squeeze. Over time, it accelerates wear on both — and there's no engineering fix for it because the deflection is built into the design.

The JUGGERNAUT is built on an H-frame — the strongest press frame design available. The H-frame is fully enclosed, which means the load is supported symmetrically on both sides of the ram at all times. There is no yawning, no twisting, no deflection. The ram stays true, the guide system wears evenly, and the cylinder isn't being asked to compensate for a frame that's fighting itself under load.

Combined with our single heavy-duty cylinder and oversized push rod, the JUGGERNAUT's H-frame design means you're getting a machine built to stay tight, stay true, and keep working long after lesser-built presses have worn themselves out.

Why a Single Cylinder Is the Only Right Answer

Some press manufacturers build with two cylinders. We don't — and there's a very good reason for that.

Hydraulic fluid behaves like any fluid: it takes the path of least resistance. In a two-cylinder press, the moment your work piece is even slightly off-center — which is virtually every heat, in every real forge session — one cylinder is doing more work than the other. The unloaded cylinder sees less resistance, so the fluid rushes there and tries to build force. Over time, this uneven loading destroys the cylinders, the guide system, and the frame. It's not a matter of if. It's a matter of when. Two-cylinder designs are self-destructive by nature.

The JUGGERNAUT uses a single heavy-duty cylinder with an oversized push rod. The oversized rod is critical — it prevents push rod buckling under load, which is a real failure mode on undersized systems. One cylinder means the force is always centred, the guide system wears evenly, and the machine isn't fighting itself every time you forge off-centre. It's a cleaner, stronger, longer-lasting design — full stop.

Why We Cap at 29 Tons — Even Though the Frame Can Handle Much More

We've built presses up to 60 tons. We stopped. Here's why.

Beyond 29 tons, the cost of a properly built pump, motor, and single-cylinder system increases significantly. That cost would have to be passed on to the buyer. And after building and running those machines, we found that the extra tonnage added no real value — and introduced a serious problem.

When a work piece is outside the proper forging temperature window, a 29-ton press will tell you. It won't move the steel easily, and that's the right answer — it's the machine protecting the work. At 60 tons, there's enough force to move steel that's too cold. And moving steel that's too cold doesn't forge it — it cracks it. More tonnage beyond the right range doesn't make a better press. It makes a more expensive machine that can damage your work.

The JUGGERNAUT frame is built to handle far more than 29 tons. We cap the hydraulic system at 29T because that's where the value is — and where the machine works with you instead of against your steel.

For reference: on our own 29T JUGGERNAUT, we regularly forge 20-pound blocks of H13 tool steel — one of the most demanding materials in the shop — without issue.

Press vs. Hammer — The Honest Truth

Let's be straight: a hammer isn't better than a press, and a press isn't better than a hammer. They're both fantastic machines that belong in a serious production shop. In our own forge we run three power hammers alongside one JUGGERNAUT — and we reach for each one for a reason.

Hammers shine on thinner material — especially anything under 3/8" — and for rapid planishing and smoothing work. The short contact time of a hammer blow means the tooling isn't drawing heat from the work piece, and the rapid percussion can actually generate a small amount of heat in the steel. That means you can sometimes get longer working time under a hammer on lighter stock.

As a general rule, a power hammer will effectively work approximately 1/2" of steel thickness for every 50 lbs of ram weight. A 100 lb hammer works well on stock up to about 1" thick. Beyond that, you're asking the hammer to do work it wasn't designed for.

A press is a different animal entirely. Because the dies are in contact with the work piece much longer, they will draw heat faster — especially cold dies at the start of a session. The fix is simple: preheat your dies by resting a warm piece of steel on them before you start. Once the dies are up to temperature and you're working stock over 3/8", the press becomes the clear winner. You'll move more material, in fewer heats, with far less effort than a hammer could manage on the same piece.

The Donut vs. The Hourglass — How a Press and Hammer Move Steel Differently

Here's one of the most important differences between a press and a hammer — and one that most smiths only learn through experience.

A power hammer works from the outside in. The rapid concussive blows deform the surface of the steel first, with less penetration into the core. If you took a straight steel cylinder and forged it under a hammer without rotating it, the ends would spread while the middle stayed tight — you'd end up with something shaped like an hourglass.

A hydraulic press works from the core out. The slow, sustained squeeze penetrates all the way through the cross-section of the billet, moving the steel from the inside first. That same straight cylinder under a press would bulge in the middle before the ends spread — the shape of a donut.

This isn't just an interesting visual — it has real consequences for your work. Core deformation means better grain refinement through the full thickness of the piece, more uniform material movement, and less risk of surface-only forging that leaves the interior untouched. For thick billets, tool steel, and any work where internal grain structure matters, the press wins on a fundamental metallurgical level.

The Speed Penalty of Hot Steel

There is a hidden law of physics at work in every forge called Strain-Rate Sensitivity. Simply put: the faster you try to move hot steel, the harder it fights you.

The Slow Squeeze (Press): When a hydraulic press moves at a slow, steady pace, the atoms in the hot steel have time to rearrange themselves. Because you aren't rushing the metal, it stays soft and cooperative — requiring much less tonnage to move.

The Fast Impact (Hammer): When a power hammer strikes at high speed, the impact happens so fast that the steel doesn't have time to relax. It effectively stiffens up the moment it's hit. A hammer has to work over twice as hard as a press to move the exact same amount of metal.

The practical result: A 29-ton press can often move heavy steel just as effectively as a massive 70-ton impact from a 100 lb power hammer running at 220 BPM. The press wins on raw efficiency and deep penetration through thick stock. The hammer wins on speed and keeping the metal hot on lighter work. Both have a place — and now you know why.

Why Our Presses Run Just Over 2 Inches Per Second

Press speed isn't arbitrary — it's one of the most important design decisions in a forging press, and we've dialled ours in deliberately.

Too fast and the operator can't react in time — it's easy to go too far, too quickly, and lose control of the work. Too slow and the heat dissipates faster than a smith can use it, wasting the heat and the effort. Our presses run at just over 2 inches per second — fast enough to keep the heat in the billet where it belongs, slow enough to give the operator full control of every squeeze.

It's not a compromise. It's the result of building and running these machines in a real production forge, every day, and knowing exactly what works.

Fewer heats. Less fuel. Less time. On thick stock, those savings add up fast — and you can take them straight to the bank.

• Foundation requirements: A large hammer needs a dedicated concrete foundation. A press? Roll it into position and plug it in.
• Power requirements: Big hammers demand specialized electrical setups. The JUGGERNAUT runs on standard single-phase power available in virtually any shop.
• Noise: Hammers are loud — neighbour-complaint loud. A press runs quietly, making it ideal for shared spaces or residential properties.
• Moving parts: Hammers are mechanically complex with many proprietary components. The JUGGERNAUT's single-cylinder hydraulic design has minimal moving parts and straightforward maintenance.
• Scale trays: Built-in scale trays catch forge scale before it lands on the motor, hydraulic tank, and foot pedal — keeping your machine clean and your components protected.
• Portability: Need to move it? Push it out of the way. No crane, no rigger, no drama.

Choose Your Press

18T JUGGERNAUT — $6,799 CAD + HST

• 18 tons of forging force
• Weighs approximately 800 lbs (without hydraulic fluid)
• Power: 120V / 20A single phase or 220V / 20A single phase (specify at order)
• Note: If wired for 120V, keep within 30 feet of main supply to avoid amperage drop
• Includes flat dies made of 4140 steel, mounted to die plates (3" × 12" mild steel)
• Ships empty of hydraulic fluid — requires 1 pail (10 gallons) of hydraulic oil

29T JUGGERNAUT — $8,750 CAD + HST

• 29 tons of forging force
• Weighs approximately 1,300 lbs (without hydraulic fluid)
• Power: 220V / 30A single phase
• Includes flat dies made of 4140 steel, mounted to die plates (3" × 12" mild steel)
• Ships empty of hydraulic fluid — requires 1 pail (10 gallons) of hydraulic oil

Customization Options

Colour Selection — Included

Choose your foot pedal colour and collar colour at no extra charge. Options available at time of order.

Custom Business Name Plate — +$350 CAD

Replace the standard JUGGERNAUT nameplate with your business name plasma-cut into the steel plate. A permanent mark of ownership on a machine built to outlast you.

Additional Die Plate Sets — $45 CAD per set + shipping

Extra die plate sets available separately — 3" × 12" mild steel, custom ground to fit your machine. Add them to your order or purchase anytime.

How to Order

The JUGGERNAUT is a made-to-order machine with an 8-week build time. Shipping is quoted individually based on your location — freight for a machine of this size and weight varies significantly across Canada and the US. We ship throughout Canada and the United States.

1. Use the "Inquire to Order" button below to send us your details
2. We'll provide a formal quote including shipping to your door
3. 30% deposit required to begin your build
4. Remainder due when your press is ready to ship

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a JUGGERNAUT forging press cost?

The 18T JUGGERNAUT starts at $6,799 CAD + HST. The 29T starts at $8,750 CAD + HST. Shipping is quoted individually based on your location — freight for a machine of this size and weight varies significantly across Canada and the US.

What size hydraulic forging press do I need?

For most bladesmiths and blacksmiths working stock up to 2" thick, the 18T is an excellent starting point and a serious production machine. If you regularly work very heavy billets, large tool steel blocks, or high-volume production runs, the 29T gives you the headroom to do it comfortably. Both machines run on the same H-frame platform — the 29T is simply more press.

Can I run a hydraulic forging press on single-phase power?

Yes. Both JUGGERNAUT models run on single-phase power — no three-phase required. The 18T can be wired for 120V/20A or 220V/20A. The 29T runs on 220V/30A. This makes the JUGGERNAUT accessible to home shops, rural properties, and small production forges that don't have three-phase service.

Do I need a special foundation for a hydraulic forging press?

No. Unlike a large power hammer, a hydraulic press doesn't generate concussive force that requires a dedicated concrete foundation. Roll it into position on a solid floor and plug it in.

How long is the build time?

Every JUGGERNAUT is built to order with an 8-week build time. A 30% deposit is required to begin your build, with the remainder due when your press is ready to ship.

Do you ship to the United States?

Yes. We ship JUGGERNAUT presses throughout Canada and the United States. Shipping is quoted individually — contact us to get an accurate freight estimate to your location.

What is the difference between an H-frame and a C-frame forging press?

An H-frame press is fully enclosed on both sides, which means the load is supported symmetrically at all times. A C-frame press is open on one side — which allows easier access but causes the frame to deflect and twist under load, especially when forging off-centre. Over time, C-frame deflection accelerates wear on the guide system and cylinder. The JUGGERNAUT uses an H-frame exclusively for this reason.

Why is solid plate steel better than a welded frame?

Most press frames are fabricated from multiple pieces of steel joined by welds. Welds are strong, but they are the first place fatigue shows up under repeated high-load stress. The JUGGERNAUT frame is built from solid 1" plate steel with the ram window plasma-cut directly out of the plate — not assembled from separate pieces. There are no structural welds to fatigue. The strength is in the steel itself.

Can I forge tool steel like H13 on a JUGGERNAUT press?

Yes. We regularly forge 20-pound blocks of H13 tool steel on our own 29T JUGGERNAUT in our production shop. Both models are built to handle demanding alloys when worked at proper forging temperatures.

Why does a press move steel differently than a hammer?

A hammer works from the outside in — deforming the surface first with less penetration into the core. A press works from the core out, moving steel from the inside first. This means better grain refinement through the full thickness of the piece and more uniform material movement on thick stock. It's the difference between an hourglass and a donut — and for serious work on heavy billets, it matters.