Hot and squishy - Forge This!

[BUTCH1]

I get that. But what I don't get is having all that machinery and technology to do that, and it still is a manual process. It didn't seem to be very high precision either.

The parts that get cut off can be re-used but that's a long process, I think they returned the rod to the furnace many times which we didn't see. Still quite a skilled operator and buying all new capital equipment (automated)would be a huge expense..

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

The parts that get cut off can be re-used but that's a long process, I think they returned the rod to the furnace many times which we didn't see. Still quite a skilled operator and buying all new capital equipment (automated)would be a huge expense..

What's so skilled about it? Probably no more complicated than running a forklift or bobcat. The machine drives around and has an arm that picks up and rotates large pieces of steel.
Pick up piece of steel with arm, drive it to the press, let machine press the steel down and drive 6" forward. Not hard to do.

 

[Old Hippie]

I've repaired those hydraulic presses and they are a nightmare.

There's 5 levels of hydraulic pipes, foundations and untold gallons of fluid.

Major nightmare.