The lever gives 5:1 and the pulleys multiply that to another 5:1, so I have a total of 25:1 advantage. Just 10 pounds translates to 250 pounds at the follower. With 6 presses, that's 1500 pounds every time I make cheese. That would crush a table without extra support. There are forces pulling and pushing in several different directions. including the pipe, so you need substantial reinforcement.
The table is very slightly sloped, so I have to compensate for that on the angle of the ramrod to avoid cockeyed cheeses. The molds are placed on cutting boards with draining grooves not directly on the table.