Thank you everyone for your help.
Just to make sure I have understood:
dl = 520 mm, de = 150 mm, (I'm measuring to the centre of the pressing rod, rather than the edges - is this correct?) so:
dl/de = 520/150 = 3.47
with the pulleys, 3.47 x 2 = 6.93
so, for every pound I hang off the end, I get 6.93 lb weight on the cheese?
Also, what is the rule with the pulleys? If I was to move the one down the bottom so that it is almost underneath the top pulley, what would the increase in mechanical advantage be?
Margaret -
- The peg under the arm on the right hand upright - is that a removable peg to hold the arm up when you are not pressing?
Yes, it is. It is really useful if you just want to hang a cheese to off the end to drain.
- How do you stop the whole thing from toppling over to the right when you put the weight on - is it fixed to the floor?[/i]
It isn't fixed to the floor - the stand on the bottom seems to give it sufficient balance, at least with the weight ranges I use.
Thanks again for all your replies - it's great to know what weight I'm putting on the cheese!