Cheese Press Plans--Where to buy?

[TraditionalGoats]

Hi,

My son would like to attempt building a cheese press, one with pulleys since the lever press gets in his way!    He is pretty experienced with woodworking and has Grandpa to help and he plans to get it finished to enter in the fair. 

I have plans for a lever press but can not find any for a press using pulleys.  Anyone know where I can order or find some? 

Tracy

[TraditionalGoats]

I have the plans from cheesemaking.com for the dutch style press.  That is the type of press I am currently using and my son keeps bumping into the lever, that is why he would like to build one without the "stupid stick taking up half the counter".   

Tracy

[TraditionalGoats]

Something like this could probably be done too:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/stainless-steel-cheese-press-/270989102278?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f18358cc6#ht_500wt_949

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cheese-Press-Pneumatic-Advanced-Homeowner-and-Artisan-/170582625222?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b7844bc6#ht_971wt_698

This would be nice too but those levers would be in the way:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/European-Hardwood-Double-Cheese-Press-for-Cheese-Making-/120839302822?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c22956ea6#ht_500wt_715

This is the one I have and I like it.    But the lever does get in the way on a smaller kitchen counter.   

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEESE-PRESS-DUTCH-STYLE-CHEESE-PRESS-WE-MAKE-CHEESE-/250961349070?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6e7649ce#ht_1827wt_932

Tracy

[H-K-J]

there are many threads on the forum for cheese press's here is the thread that helped me build my press and there are many many others

[TraditionalGoats]

I am trying to find one without the arm on it.  That tends to be my sons problem.  He just can't seem to not bump into it!  lol 

I saw one someplace that had pulleys on each side that ran vertical on the side of the press.  And of course, now I can't find it anywhere.  It was the same size at the dutch press but without the arm length. 

Or even one with the spring weight would probably work. 

Personally, I like my dutch press.  It makes me keep the counters clean too!

Tracy

[Sailor Con Queso]

That "stupid stick" is what gives the press it's mechanical advantage and efficiency. With pulleys, you still need a lever to pull down on, and the shorter the lever, the more weight that you will have to use. Spring presses are worthless.

[linuxboy]

IMHO, pulley complexity, sanitation, etc, for a small scale like that are not worth the effort for the gained advantage. If you do not want to deal with the size of the arm, then pneumatic is a better solution. Of course, then have to deal with the tank/air lines. The physics and elegance of dutch/off-wall types make them a really good choice.

[smolt1]

Have your son look at the sturdy press design. The lever is shorter than a dutch press, it could be fitted with pulleys, and it will press harder with less lever arm weight. PM me and I will send him the dimensions.

[Sailor Con Queso]

Smolt makes a great press. You might consider just buying one of his.

[H-K-J]

Sailors right But to me its the adventure of creating a masterpiece of yer own

[DeejayDebi]

Sailors right But to me its the adventure of creating a masterpiece of yer own

and that was from a real master!

[H-K-J]

  thank you

[TraditionalGoats]

Thanks for the replies! 

I will show him the sturdy press design.  He is a big kid, 6'3" and 17 so a bit gangly and times.  I suppose I could move the press to a different counter but I like it near the sink for draining issues.  It just always seems to be in his way. 

But if he is willing to make a press I won't complain! 

Tracy