Author Topic: My New Rocket Cheese Press  (Read 7407 times)

Offline Cartierusm

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My New Rocket Cheese Press
« on: December 05, 2008, 02:04:37 AM »
OK SO I went overboard, again, but then I'm new here, you'll find out that I always go over board. Believe it or not I had enough parts in my shop and in back of the shop to build 4 of these, if I needed them. I did in fact only build one. Originally the press I built about 5 years ago was a simple lever arm style where you hang weights off the end to create pressure. This time I was going to go simple then I realize this version is actually simple, not cheap if you don't have the parts on hand. It allows total control.

Anyway, the biggest pneumatic cylinder I had in stock was a 4". I designed it so I can switch out the cylinder anytime without modification or losing space on the inside. Therefore after I make a few batches I will see how much starting volume I have and how long a stoke I need on the cylinder. The way this one works is I will have a long follower that screws onto the cylinder arm so the press sits on the wooden platform and you can see the cheese being pressed in all it's glory.

Yes I cut out some vinyl letting and label the dam thing. It says, "Carter's Super Happy Fun Time Cheese Press". I know weird but hey I was in a good mood...2 cheers for Lithium...no I'm not really bipolar.

The cylinder rod's speed is adjustable as well as the pressure. After I set it up I'll put one of my scales under it and record the pounds I need for the PSI. I know I could do the calculations but I'm more of a hands on and see what the real world tells me as there are endless variables that can come into affect.

Oh I did make it so a 5 Gallon bucket will fit in so If I decide I want to make some large ass Parmesan Wheels. I wonder how much a starting volume an 80 pound wheel of Parmesan would be? Oh Oh I finally got my new Direct Set Cultures so I'll be making some this weekend. I'm off to test my vat and temp control.

Offline Cartierusm

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2008, 02:08:04 AM »
Oh, I did take the wooden platform out and I epoxied it to water seal it. But when it comes to pressing I'll have a separate HDPE board under the mold and a pan to funnel the whey draining.

Tea

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2008, 08:40:16 PM »
lol I love it!!  Let hope it works as great as it looks.  It looks like your getting ready to do some serious cheese pressing with that thing.
Love the pics keep them coming.

Offline Cartierusm

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2008, 10:19:39 PM »
Nothin' better than cheese porn...lol. I got lucky and found the perfect pneumatic cylinder on ebay for $30US a 16" stroke cylinder...sweet...now I have to play the waiting game. I guess it's time for mozz and other soft cheeses.

SalMac

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2008, 02:01:42 AM »
Bipoplars absolutely fine when it comes to cheese.....:-)

Just out of interest whats your day job, to be able to tinker like this?

Best

Sal

Offline Cartierusm

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2008, 10:40:05 PM »
That's a tough question, Sal. I do many things. My profession is I'm a filmmaker. I'm just starting to work on my business plan to open a restaurant.

Offline Cartierusm

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2008, 12:42:58 AM »
I decided not to use the 4" stroke cylinder at all. I ordered a new one last week and should be using the press this week.

Cheese Head

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2008, 01:15:36 PM »
Cartierusm, so still watching this thread, hoping to see some pics one day of your monster Happy Fun Time Press in action ;D.

PS: There are some images of commercial presses in this commercial cheese manufacturers video here.
« Last Edit: December 14, 2008, 01:31:04 PM by Cheese Head »

Offline Cartierusm

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #8 on: December 14, 2008, 08:21:20 PM »
Cool thanks cheese head for the videos. The cheese press is on hold right now. As I said in an earlier post I decided not to even try the 4" stroke cylinder and luckily enough I found a 16" stroke cylinder on ebay for $30. I ordered it about 1 1/2 weeks ago and still haven't got it. The guy has perfect feedback. I emailed him 3 times and even got his contact information from ebay and called him and nothing, not a word. So I may have to find one somewhere else.

Cheese Head

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #9 on: December 14, 2008, 08:38:37 PM »
OK, fingers crossed it's in the mail and he's just busy elsewhere.

Offline Cartierusm

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2008, 08:22:34 PM »
Apparantly the Seller was, "busy with other projects" DWEEB. Who sells on ebay, or lives on earth and doesn't check their email daily. Anyway UPS says it's out for delivery....awesome. I will be posting pics today when it's up and running and cheese will be made tomorrow.

chilipepper

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2008, 08:56:26 PM »
Cartierusm, I'm really curious as heck to see this thing in operation!  That is one really cool contraption!  I've got a couple of kegs that I've converted for homebrewing but this might take it to a new level!

Offline Cartierusm

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #12 on: December 17, 2008, 09:22:34 PM »
You really can use anything that can handle the force. I just used it because it was SS and I had no other use for it and it looked coolish.

Offline Cartierusm

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #13 on: December 18, 2008, 08:16:00 AM »
Got the new cylinder in and got most of the parts just have to weld some stuff tomorrow and fabricate a stainless steel disc to attach to the ram to even out some of the force. Should work like a dream. Will post pics tomorrow when it's finished and working. I thought I'd get to finish it tonight and make cheese tomorrow, well technically today, but alas UPS always delivers at like 7 p.m.

Cheese Head

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Re: My New Rocket Cheese Press
« Reply #14 on: December 18, 2008, 11:42:12 AM »
Good man, sign of a true Cheese Head, someone who's building his equipment past midnight 8).