You might be able to look at the basic design of the Harbor Freight presses and make something similar. Another suggesting would be to go to a farm equipment dealer or truck shop and look at their press for ideas.

I, too, am building a press. I am still in the planning stages and am still gathering up (read scavaging) components. I will be using I-beam (5.5"X15X.375thick) for the legs and the top. The cylinder I am considering is about 6" bore with a 22" stroke. I will either use a John Deere closed center hydraulic pump or the gear pump that came with the cylinder. My press will also double as a tubing bender, hence the long stroke cylinder.

Channel iron would be easier to work with and most presses I have seen use channel iron for the frame, but the I-beam was cheap (17.5' for $10), at least for now :p The realistic price for everything I build is not realized until I build it.

Remember 9-11-01--God Bless the USA
JUSTICE, not REVENGE, will prevail

1951 Chevy 1/2-ton Pickup truck