A press machine includes at least one actuator and at least one linkage to open and close a ram. Another aspect employs a sheet metal-working punch mounted to the ram. A fluid-powered piston drives a carriage coupled to a linkage in another aspect of the present machine. In still another aspect, at least a majority of an actuator is located externally to an outside surface of a stationary structure within which a ram is located. Yet a further aspect both opens and closes a ram with a unidirection movement of an actuator.