Abstract: An improved top die raising and lowering guide mechanism for punching, pressing, and shearing machines having three hydraulic cylinder sets installed in a triangular configuration and, furthermore, three piston rod sets conjoined to an attachment mount to which is mounted a top die that is thereby guided during ascent and descent to execute punching, pressing, and shearing operations. The innovation of the present invention is that the top and bottom ends of the triangularly arranged three hydraulic cylinder sets are interconnected such that when a hydraulic system conveys hydraulic fluid to and from the top and bottom ends, the piston rods are simultaneously raised or lowered.