Hi
Some time passed between the first idea of a 2 lever system and it's realisation, but in image you can see what my son build, based on the drawings earlier in this thread. He needed a 100 Kg press for his bookbinding hobby, while I was interested in a 20-50 Kg Cheese press.
The press can be used with 1 lever (x3) or both (x~10), and we hang the weight via an axis so there is another x2 factor (if needed): In the picture we're pressing our first Gouda (with cumin seeds
) at 50Kg (4 psi) with only 2-3 Kg of sand
The issue of positioning the plunger with limited travel and limited number of holes is solved by saving little wooden blocks of different height to fill the gap bteween plunger and mould lid.
The 2 vertical beams of the frame are made of pine 68mm x 32 mm, while levers are made of 2x 46x18 mm beams: it holds the forces without cracks !
The bottom plate can be removed (loosening bolts underneath) for better storage.
The whole structure is ~80 cm height and can take moulds till 40 cm diameter/height
The 2 Kg cheese came out nicely and is ageing till at least end of September (8 weeks)
Greetings Amnon