Just made my first cheese press (dutch style)

[moodock]

Hi, I'm a newbie when it comes to cheese making (and to this forum). I have had fun making fresh cheeses, but decided it was time to move on a build a press. I looked at some dutch style presses people made on this forum, and decided to give it a try. I used a 2x4 and a 2x2 for most of it. The arms and plunger are both made from oak left over from a previous project.  The bolts to hang the weights from start at a 2.5 MA going up to 5.5 in .5 increments. I hung 45lbs on the last bot, and I am fairly sure it can take a decent bit more. I can't wait to give it a try!

[Boofer]

Looks good, moodock!

Let's get to pressing some cheese now. 

-Boofer-

[moodock]

Looks good, moodock!

Let's get to pressing some cheese now. 

Thanks! I applied a thinned out epoxy resin to the notch that the two parallel arms attach to until it would not absorb any more. I think this greatly improved the strength of the notch in the board (fir).  My cultures should be arriving this week, so I hope be pressing some cheese Friday.

[KosherBaker]

Looks very nice. I think a picture from above would also help the would be builders to see how you handled the connection point between the arms and the back board and also show any guides you may have installed for the plunger.

Great job, and great cheeses.

[moodock]

Looks very nice. I think a picture from above would also help the would be builders to see how you handled the connection point between the arms and the back board and also show any guides you may have installed for the plunger.

Great job, and great cheeses.

Thanks! I am charging my camera battery, and will post pics of how I attached the arms. As for guides, I do not have any installed for the plunger. This was just a quick project, so I took some short cuts. My next press will have guides on it, and I plan to make the backboard out of hardwood instead of fir. I will also use mortise and tenon joints rather than screws.

[moodock]

A shot showing some more of the construction:



I hesitate to draw up plans as I intend to make another press that is constructed more soundly. When I do, I will post a complete schematic.