Abstract: A punch press construction is disclosed which includes a die set which can be slidably removed from the frame of the press. The press includes a double-acting fluid actuator having a piston rod which extends downwardly through the upper portion of the generally inverted U-shaped press frame. The die set comprises upper and lower die plates, with the slidable mounting arrangement comprising a pair of inwardly opening receiving grooves for slidably receiving the opposite edge portions of the lower die plate, and a coupling arrangement for operatively connecting the upper die plate and the actuator piston rod for vertical reciprocal movement together attendant to slidable positioning of the die set within the press frame.