Not if you set it up properly.
Some have a stripper arm, some dont.
In the absence of pictures were all guessing what this press is all about.
I have a 25ton power press and this uses a 3hp motor. so a 1/2 hp motor will drive a 4 ton press, or thereabouts. Now theres a lot to learn all about press work. apart from the safety angle.
you need to know what the punch clearances are for various thicknesses of material, also what depth through the die the punch goes. this has to be adjustable to suit the material. also theres a nack in using these machines by hand. were not talking about automated strip fed power presses with sequential tool and die sets.
this sounds like a simple foot pedal operated one shot press for small components. You need to be taught how to use it so that your safe and can produce consistent blanks from sheet thats hand fed. This latter task needs planning so that each blank is close to the previous one so you can strip the sheet off the punch with a small twisting action. I do it all the time with the 6 ton press I have as well. the same principles apply if your blanking with a fly press. you only need guards if you employ someone. officially. I wouldn let any one else use it anyway.
hope this helps you decide wether you want to learn some new skills.
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