New to cheese, New Homemade Press!

[rolsen99]

Hey all.  Here is a quick intro...then onto the equipment!  I am from the Detroit area, and love cheese.  I have always enjoyed homemade goods.  I brew beer, make sausage, attempt dry curing meats/sausage (can't get it like the pros), bread making, corning beef, pickles, etc...  I have decided to give cheese a go.  Last week I made some cream cheese (good), and fresh mozza.  Now it's time to try pressing!

Please take a look at the attached pictures.  I am looking for any recommendations for improvements on the design, problems you may see, ideas, etc...  It is not glued or screwed yet, so I have the opportunity to make any adjustments that may be needed.  I am also going to post the dimensions tomorrow, so hopefully someone can help me calculate the advantage.  Also, should I add pulleys?

Thanks in advance!

[H-K-J]

That is really cool 8)
as far as pulleys and mechanical pressures and all that, hopefully others  will chime in.
I built this just because I thought the mechanics were simple, but that is a neat press  :)
Here is the thread of Boofers that inspired me ^-^

[smolt1]

I think that with the mold sitting on the table and not on the press that you will find the press rising up and the cheese not being pressed. Just add a bottom to the press.

[rolsen99]

Smolt, thanks for the suggestion.  I will be closing off the top of the base, or putting ribs across there.  Thanks!

[smolt1]

It looks like you will have a mechanical advantage of about 15 to 1, so probably no need for pulleys. Nice woodworking!

[rolsen99]

Hey Smolt, check out this pick.  Is the top advantage 6.5, and bottom 2.5?  Multiplied together 16.25 to 1?  If so, great guess!

[rolsen99]

Wait, bottom 3.5 for a total of 22.75?  Obviously, I am not sure how to do it :)

[smolt1]

Right,  top lever is 26/4=6.5, bottom lever is 14/4=3.5 so the total MA is 6.5 X 3.5 = 22.75. So only 10 lbs on the lever gives you 227.5 lbs pressing weight. Start the Cheddar!

[bbracken677]

Very impressive! Thanks for the dimensions!

[Boofer]

So how many will you be cranking out? Have you thought about a price point? (only half kidding...)

Good-looking press. Amazing what these kids come up with! ;)

-Boofer-

[rolsen99]

So how many will you be cranking out? Have you thought about a price point? (only half kidding...)

Good-looking press. Amazing what these kids come up with! ;)

-Boofer-

LOL, still a kid a heart maybe  :D

Thank you all for the kind words, now the real work begins!  I will post my curing chamber on another thread, need some input there as well.

[smolt1]

rolsen

Of topic, but what software did you use to add the dimensions to the photo?

[rolsen99]

Smolt...I simply inserted the picture into powerpoint, added the dimensions, copied the entire image including dimensions and text, pasted into paint (or any graphics program), saved as JPEG, then posted here!

Let me know if you need anymore info.

[Mighty Mouse]

Smolt...I simply inserted the picture into powerpoint, added the dimensions, copied the entire image including dimensions and text, pasted into paint (or any graphics program), saved as JPEG, then posted here!

Let me know if you need anymore info.

To build on that, if you want an Open Source/Free alternative- check out www.openoffice.org and/or www.gimp.org. Both of these have the same capability. (Uh, at least I think Openoffice Impress has support for exporting a slide as an image...)

[smolt1]

Thanks, always like the freebies.