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GENERAL CHEESE MAKING BOARDS (Specific Cheese Making in Boards above) => EQUIPMENT - Forming Cheese => Topic started by: Cartierusm on January 10, 2009, 05:46:08 AM
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Here are the new followers I made for my new 10" mold. One is my name as before but bigger as the mold is bigger and the other is the Bee logo I drew for my Mead 20 years ago, so it's kind of a trade mark for me on anything I make that gets consumed. It should come out pretty cool.
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Congrats Carter, you are skilled!
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Thanks, I'll post more pics of the cheese with the impression in it.
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I like the bee. I have thought of incorporating one into my mead labels somehow too.
I also, when I do my embroidery include a couple of insects as my "signature mark" and usually it is a bee or a dragonfly. Great minds think alike hey!! :D
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Yes they do.
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Super cool!
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That will look really awesome branded into a big chunk of cheddar - hope the picts will follow!
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I posted the pics in the Parmesan section under my 15 gal post. I could do a brand as well, but that would be a lot of machining.
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Carter,
What CNC machine do you use?
My brother repairs CNC machines for a living as well as writes programming for the operation.
His speciality is Cincinatti Milacron.
He has travelled all over North America doing repairs on these machines and seems to be in great demand because of his knowledge. Most of his work is done for DANA Corp. but he also does a little freelance work as well.
I on the other hand struggle to even spell CNC correctly.
Dave
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Carter Brand, I built mine from scratch, are you really suprised? I thought not.
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You made your own CNC machine.......
Sheesh
I don't know what else to say...
Dave
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Yes I did, it took a while, I'm not trying to be modest (god knows) but I actually amazed myself as it's accurate to .0001. The only reason I was surprised is that I didn't spend $5000 on bearings. I spent about $3000 total for the whole machine, or best guess as it took me about 1 year to get the parts and then get motivated to build it. I had to figure out all the electronics and machine all the parts. Luckily I already had a machine shop so I had the tools.
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Carter, I'm sure you've seen these from Parmigiano-Reggiano but they are doing something similar except in the sides of the cheese. I found it interesting that they did utilize some sort of removable and updatable numbering system. Just thought you'd like to see it. Parmigiano-Reggiano (http://photos.hhoffman.co.uk/p169950970/e3f753ed7)
Hopefully going to embark on my first Parmesan tomorrow with 4 gallons of raw milk (2 skimmed and 2 whole). I'm going to have to get creative with a mold though - maybe an ice cream pail or something....
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Very interesting. How in the world did you find this?
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Carter, I thought you might find that interesting..
I stumbled on it in a wiki about Parmesan when I was doing a little research prior to my attempt at making some today.
Parmigiano-Reggiano wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parmigiano-Reggiano)
Under external links at the bottom of the Wiki page there is a video link and links to the main site.
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Carter, with your knack for creating interesting stuff... here is something to consider: Stainless Mold (http://photos.hhoffman.co.uk/p56769887/e1097bdc4)
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chillipepper, thnaks for the links, interesting pictures, I followed it back to the photographers article on these cheeses and your and that links on this Pressed Grana Type Board's Sticky (http://cheeseforum.org/forum/index.php/topic,659.msg3798.html#msg3798).
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Thanks Chili, but I don't see any benefit. Plus it would be a little costly, but they do look pretty.
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Thanks CH.
Carter, they do really cool. I do find it interesting that they do the pressing from the sides and very little from the top and bottom. They do put the large follower on there but since it looks like it is plastic it can't really weigh much.
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Those pics are a great learning experience. I always though the large Parm wheels got bulgy on the sides and depressed on the top and bottom due to the weight of the wheel during aging. But it's good to see they make them that way from the begining. I always wondered why mine never did that.
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Not to be a "downer", but I've been doing somethinking about this.
Let me start by saying these followers peg my cool-o-meter.
But you really don't see these types of deep insignias elseware. This aside. (http://photos.hhoffman.co.uk/p56769887/h1097bdc4#h11a59b79) And it comes to me that there may be a reason why.
The letters, and other designs do make for sharp corners of cheese that will be the outside of a natural rind. (would you wax over your name?)
That being said, you create a condition around theses letters and designs where you have a higher surface area to cheese ratio. This will cause the cheese, near the edges of the letters to dry much faster than the cheese on the flat parts of the cheese wheel.
These letters will cause uneven drying.
The real question is this: Is this a problem.
The answer is: I don't know, I would have to ask Carter and those that use it.
I can see where it could be an issue if cracks stem from the edges...
Anyway, not trying to bring us down here, just my thoughts/critiques on the topic.
I hope this post is taken in that gentle spirit.
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OK I had to google what a CNC machine was but wow, Carter! one of those would be cool to have if we only had more room in tom's workshop.
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Wayne you dirtty rat! ;D Just kidding. We talked about this yesterday you and I. The problems I'm having are cracks forming where the wrinkles are from the cheese cloth, the letters are perfectly moist. The sides are the ones drying too fast. I stuck it in my cave and we'll see how that goes. I will wax probably no matter what in a few days.
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Wayne...
I see your point, but don't parmesan makers use an embossed "band" to etch dates and other manufacturing information into the sides of their cheeses? I seem to remember seeing this someplace.
I would think that, especially if a cheese was waxed, this would not be a problem but of course only time will tell.
Keep us informed, Carter.
Lady Liberty....
My brother writes programs for and repairs CNC machines for a living but I'm not sure that he could actually BUILD a CNC machine from scratch. Only massive over-achievers like our Carter could do something like that. ;D
Yes, it's true....he actually BUILT a CNC machine (sigh).
Dave
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Likespace,
I actually referenced those embossed plastic thingys in my original post. Those seem to be relatively small little dents as opposed to the letters that Carter is embossing.
BTW, just so you understand where i am coming from. I WANT one of those. And your press too.
I am about at max-jealousy with carter gadgets.
Carter is just killing me. I am actually thinking of buying a freakin welder because of him.
But my welding skills are flashing 12:00.
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I could teach you how to weld over the phone, it's not that hard if you know what to look for.
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I'm with you, Wayne....
What I could do with the proper tools and only a little talent and skill. ;D
I actually told Carter earlier that I'm buying a welder within the next week or two. A friend has a portable 115 volt stick welder that he's selling for a song.
I'm certainly not a great welder but my dad taught me the basics in about 5 minutes time.
After a day of burning rods (making some portable badminton poles) I was really starting to get a "feel" for the process (also a feel for hot metal since I kept trying to pick up pieces I had just cut with a torch or welded together)!
Honestly, that day was probably one of the best days I've ever spent. Not only was I learning a new craft but I was doing it with my dad.
Sometimes life can be really good.
Dave