Press bed skew

[dminnich]

Is it OK to shim a press bed that is bowed about .015"
I get conflicting answers.
I cannot afford to send the entire press out to be re-machined.

[johnd]

It depends on what you are cutting with and the exoected life expendancy of the tool.
What is the distance of the .015 bow?
Are you cutting with steel rule?
If you are cutting with steel rule what are you using as a consumable surface?
Are you using a die set?
If so is it a two post or four post die set?
Need a little more information to help you out.

Been there and done it,

JohnD

[dminnich]

The bed is about 40" accross and is bowed the entire distance with the center being down .015"
I checked it useing a precision starrett level and feeler gauges.

We use die sets but cut thin materials, with more than one layer at a time.
(Usually .012" aluminized, .001" aluminum foil, and .015" 409 stainless steel)

Die sets are four post
Thanks for the reply, hope the information helps