follower thickness

[MarkShelton]

I am considering getting some new molds, and since they don't come with followers, I was thinking about ordering some of the "cutting board material" to make my own. I'm not sure what thickness to get. I don't want to waste my money getting it thicker than I need, but I want to ensure that they won't warp under pressure. I know that the larger the mold, the thicker follower I should get, but other than that, does anyone have any guidelines for thickness of a follower?

[Sailor Con Queso]

Mine is around 1/2 inch for a 7" mold.

[MrsKK]

You could always buy the thinner stuff and make two followers to get the thickness without the expense...

[DeejayDebi]

I use cutting boards from the dollar store. They often have boards that are like 14" x 7" and 1/2" thick for around $2.99. I grab a few every now and then they work for a lot of things

[humble_servant7]

I use cutting boards from the dollar store. They often have boards that are like 14" x 7" and 1/2" thick for around $2.99. I grab a few every now and then they work for a lot of things

Hmmm.. Good post!

I wish I could find some of that cutting board material a little thicker though!

1/2" just wont cut it.

[MarkShelton]

Linuxboy has mentioned Tap Plastics in another thread as a place to get some HDPE (cutting board material) and after a quick search, seems to be priced well below some of its competitors. Still not as cheap as a dollar store find, but you'll never find 3/4 or 1 inch thickness at the dollar store.

[humble_servant7]

Linuxboy has mentioned Tap Plastics in another thread as a place to get some HDPE (cutting board material) and after a quick search, seems to be priced well below some of its competitors. Still not as cheap as a dollar store find, but you'll never find 3/4 or 1 inch thickness at the dollar store.

ah!! thank you, my good sir.

This post was truly god-sent.

[DeejayDebi]

You could always cut two and screw them together with a course thread stainless screws  or just stack them.

If you want thicker ones go to a store like Sears or a resteraunt supply store they have thicker ones. WalMart does sometimes. I get a lot from Job Lot they have thicker ones quite often but they are usually really big boards - 2 foot wide.

[sominus]

I used a regular "cutting board" thickness... I purchased a large cutting board @ Sam's for about $9, cut some circles from it and used them as followers.  I put these on my "monster press" this weekend and cranked up to 300 lbs (should have been 150 but I had a senior moment) with no deformity on an 8" diameter.  I also did 600 lbs to test the press (dry -- no cheese) and barely made a scratch on the follower.

-Michael

[Minamyna]

Is a follower the lid thingy that goes on top for pressing?

[FarmerJd]

Yes it "follows" the cheese. It is normally slightly smaller in diameter than the hoop so that it can move as the curds consolidate.