Here are some pics of a new type of press. The fulcrum is not fixed, and it folds up to fit in a 6 x 6 x 24 inch box and it has 2 selectable MA's 6x, 12x, and it is good to 16 lbs on the lever arm ( pressing weight = 200 lbs, 7 PSI on a 6 inch mold ), and it folds up or down in less than 20 seconds, and you can change MA,s in less than 10 seconds.
And a videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJI9RjMDGLY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJI9RjMDGLY)
Very very nice! :-)
Very nice design!
Elegant - Beautiful - and desirable ! What an amazing press !
--Mal
Oh and a Cheese :)
Thank you for all the kind words ! I have just added a video to the first post to show how it works.
That is a really clever design! :-)
It is amazing how you can easily adjust the weight multiplication. Brilliant.
I have got to give you a cheese for that.
:-) Danbo
Great design and perfect for anyone that doesn't have the space to have a regular press sitting around all of the time. :D Great job!!
A great design - AC4U. But I'm surprised that you limit the weight on the arm to 19 lbs -- it looks sturdy enough to handle more than that -- ?
It will take a bit more weight. I did a preliminary "crash test" and nothing broke at 5 gallons (41 lbs on the lever arm) BUT it was getting a bit "bendy,creaky"
Done that to my sturdy press a few times. Still going strong but you have to have a safety margin. ;)
Brilliant!
Sorry Andrew, no trade-in's, but watch your mail.
My original press is working great, but I love the compact storage value on the new one.
I have plenty of space for the original but if this ones price is anywhere near the original it's got to be the best deal in the country for a press.
Susan: When I first started working on the design the number 1 priority was foldaway and less shipping weight. Also, thanks again for your data on the final press of your make. That makes the 3/4 inch range of motion on MA=15 acceptable.
Al: Now that I have all the cutting and gluing jigs made I can make a few and see how long it takes. It looks like the price will be a little less than the "origional" sturdypress, and can I quote you about it being the best deal in the country. :)
Quote from: smolt1 on January 24, 2015, 04:44:00 PM
Al: Now that I have all the cutting and gluing jigs made I can make a few and see how long it takes. It looks like the price will be a little less than the "origional" sturdypress, and can I quote you about it being the best deal in the country. :)
You certainly may. That's my opinion. I viewed everyone I could find before I bought your sturdy press. Even bought a competitors so I could do a side by side comparison. You can see that here (https://cheeseforum.org/forum/index.php/topic,10906.0.html). Sold theirs and still use yours today.
When I get this press, I'll do a side-by-side comparison with the sturdypress. I'll make two goudas.
Bob, a brilliant design in so many respects. You know I've been working on a folding press for awhile (still not commercial - too many other darn things that get in the way :() but I have to hand it to you that you have combined a small storage footprint with high pressing capacity without using tackle. The moving fulcrum is ingenious as is the way the base folds and supports the cantilevered arm without tipping. AC4U along with a tip of the hat ;).
For any of you DIYers out there, here is more information:
One of the main problems with the swing lever is placement of the swing to minimize friction on the plunger as it slides during pressing. I have done a lot of testing and here are my findings. One way to test for friction is to insert a strip (about 1/2 inch wide ) of paper on each side of the plunger, then put some weight on the lever arm and see if the piece of paper will pull out without tearing.
It seems that there is a "best" placement for each MA ( mechanical advantage ) used, so for MA = 5 to 12 the placement is a compromise, but the position shown makes the press work smoothly at all those MA's.
I posted in the wrong thread. Here is my Fold-up press of Bobs design.
https://cheeseforum.org/forum/index.php/topic,13846.0.html (https://cheeseforum.org/forum/index.php/topic,13846.0.html)
I did the friction test - there is a little drag on the paper but it came out easily. Again, thanks for a great design - now what do I do with my other old creaky ? If any one in Brisbane wants my old one PM me.
-- Mal
Well Smolt1 I did a parm today and presently have 50 pounds of barbell weights hanging on my Sturdypress. It creaked a bit but it's holding it just fine!! 450 pounds at the mold.
All right !!
I've done this before Mal. This press never ceases to amaze me.
Now I'm getting nervous.
No need, I just took the weights off after sitting all night and the arm held up just fine with 50 pounds of steel hanging on it!! ;D
And the foldup is just as reliable... with the longer base plate I have tested it to 3 - 5 litre water bottles 15Kg at the maximum MA setting, in my case 12 times. No Worries there at all
-- Mal
I am planning to order one of the presses, where / which molds do you recommend. I might want to make 1 or 2 cheeses during one time.
Wow - 450#. I have a foldup and the standard sturdypress. I have to say I was nervous about applying 300# to the foldup and switched to the standard. Pic below (~275# force I believe).
I love these presses. They are fantastic. In fact, I sold my first press (which cost more than both of these combined). If I was enlisted into the next performance of Sound of Music, I'd work the sturdypress into "these are a few of my favorite things".
(http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/3/7/1/8/3/_mg_9548-66470.jpg)
After a failed cheddar (probably the result of a too-low pressing weight, I am in the market for a new cheese press and this one caught my eye in an old posting. I have a newbie question to add on here.. the site says it can handle 250lbs, does that mean 250lbs of force after the MA? <--- I am assuming! Is this enough for a cheddar in an 8 in mold?
I wish you would ship this to Malaysia.
Quote from: lauravanb on February 19, 2016, 10:10:42 AM
After a failed cheddar (probably the result of a too-low pressing weight, I am in the market for a new cheese press and this one caught my eye in an old posting. I have a newbie question to add on here.. the site says it can handle 250lbs, does that mean 250lbs of force after the MA? <--- I am assuming! Is this enough for a cheddar in an 8 in mold?
If you want more you can buy the original sturdy press. I have pressed up to 450 pounds, after MA, with mine several times. It creaked a bit but held up just fine. I suspect this one would generate that with this one as he did say he tested it to 41 pounds on the arm. At a 15X MA you would only need 30 pounds on the arm. That would be plenty for any cheese.
Quote from: AnnDee on February 21, 2016, 01:28:52 PM
I wish you would ship this to Malaysia.
Ann, part of what sets Bob's design (the SturdyPress) apart is its elegant simplicity. Having lived in the Philippines and in Singapore, I am confident that you can find someone there in Malaysia who can look at the pictures and make a copy. In fact ... I may be getting mixed up with a different design, but it seems to me that Bob may have helped someone who lived outside the US with plans. Might do some searching here, or contact Bob directly ... though come to think of it, I don't think I've seen any posts from him in a while -- ??
Quote from: awakephd on February 22, 2016, 07:22:42 PM
Quote from: AnnDee on February 21, 2016, 01:28:52 PM
I wish you would ship this to Malaysia.
Ann, part of what sets Bob's design (the SturdyPress) apart is its elegant simplicity. Having lived in the Philippines and in Singapore, I am confident that you can find someone there in Malaysia who can look at the pictures and make a copy. In fact ... I may be getting mixed up with a different design, but it seems to me that Bob may have helped someone who lived outside the US with plans. Might do some searching here, or contact Bob directly ... though come to think of it, I don't think I've seen any posts from him in a while -- ??
Yes, Andy. I think I have to get this made asap but I am wondering if the measurements will greatly affect the final functions as I will have to make it from my estimation.
Talk to OzzieCheese (https://cheeseforum.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=7361). I believe he's the one that built one of these from plans he got from Bob.
Just sent a PM to AnnDee. Sorry about the delay but I have spent the last week rebuilding my pc software after a win 10 update 1511 disaster. Tried linux but the learning curve is above my pay grade, so I'm back with old favorite win 7.
Bob
Do what I did Bob. Buy a MAC. All of the new systems are free and it updates itself overnight. Best move I ever made.
Good to see you back, Bob! I was a bit worried there.
I received my press today from sturdypress.com (http://sturdypress.com). What a beauty! Excellent craftmanship, very reasonable price and really great service. So excited for this weekend cheese making session!
I've got one of Bob's (Smolt1) larger presses so I may not be as familiar with the one you received. But from the pictures you posted it looks like the tongue of the base board should go all the way into the the plywood pieces that attach to the upright piece. Would put the cheese being pressed on a wider portion of the base board.
Oops, I feel silly now. I have put it in wrong position.
This is more like it, I think.
Looks good!
I am really hoping to be able to be able to upgrade to a sturdypress sometime this year. I've been looking at the site periodically and noticed that there is no longer any price info or 'buy' link for the sturdypress original. That one hasn't been discontinued has it?
Tasha, I think Bob (the maker of the Sturdy Press) may have reduced his production of all of his presses. I know a member here bought the fold-up style from him not too long ago ... I'd suggest sending him an email and see if the original is still available.
Good guess Andy. I still plan to continue making both presses, but at a slower ( more like an 80 year old ) pace. The traffic on the sturdypress website continues to increase. Most visits are to look at the pages on weight and pressure and download the press calculator.
Bob
I am aiming to make a Farmhouse Cheddar with the Sturdypress Foldaway. What is the biggest mould I could use for that? If you could link to something suitable that ships to Canada that would be amazing!
When can I get one? Either design?
Dorchester, Bob's website, sturdypress.com, shows the original version out of production, and the foldaway version temporarily out of stock. I think I remember Bob saying that he was slowing down on producing these, but it would certainly be worth contacting him to check; there is a contact link on the website. Also on the website, Bob has graciously posted DIY plans for the original version. Bob's design is a masterpiece of simple elegance; this is a design that will not be hard to make, or find someone to make, if you want to go that route.
Thanks Andy-
I hammer nail poorly lets not try to cut wood.
Thanks
Know of anyone else that sells these? My cheap one is well cheap
Quote from: Dorchestercheese on May 23, 2017, 07:48:23 PM
Know of anyone else that sells these? My cheap one is well cheap
I've got a couple of presses that were prototypes for a "compact" pulley / cantilevered press (and a reasonably good design if I do say so) that I never commercialized and probably won't so they're just sitting on the shelf. I'm pretty much giving these away for cost of shipping and materials. If you're interested in send me a message or email. By the way: Bob Samuelson's (Smolt's) presses are engineering works of art so if he's still in the shop and you can get on his que it would be worth the wait and the $99.
Bob has gone out of business. As I predicted people will now search for a used sturdy press in the hopes of getting their hands on an original.
QuoteAnd so ends an era. The best press on the market is no more. Years from now those still using one will talk of it's perfection and young cheesemakers will search the markets for used ones to purchase so that they can say "I have an original SturdyPress." Sorry to hear you're going out of business Bob but let me personally thank you from all of your customers, and those you simply gave the plans to, for achieving excellence and bringing it to the market. As a Master Toolmaker, that designs machines for a living, I have to say that you sir, are a true Master Craftsman and have placed something in the world that has set the standard for all that follow to live up to. I am delighted to know you and wish you the best in whatever is to follow in your life. Thank you!
Comments on this one?
https://cheeseandyogurtmaking.com/cheese-making-supplies/cheese-making-presses/wooden-deal-cheese-press-for-cheese-making.html
Dorchester, that is similar to the first press that I made. It works ... but it has definite limits: 1) Mechanical advantage is fixed; that one looks to be about 4:1. 2) Weight looks to be intended to hang from the arm; if so, this requires having space for the weight to dangle, and tipping may be an issue. 3) The board that stabilizes / keeps the ram straight is mounted right next to the head of the ram; it's not going to fit down into a mold, so you'll have to add spacers of some sort.
Dorchester, I have a couple of "foldaway" presses left. You can use the contact form on sturdypress.com to send your shipping address and I'll give you a shipping cost quote.
Andy and Al, The local high school has a shop but no woodworking classes. I am trying to generate some interest in a class to make and sell the "original" sturdypress. That would give the school enough income to keep the shop tools repaired and sharp, also a good way to learn to run a small business. So far no luck ( teacher salary, insurance, etc,etc).
Bob
Bob, that's a great idea; I hate that you're not getting a positive response. :(
Quote from: smolt1 on May 27, 2017, 03:18:22 PM
The local high school has a shop but no woodworking classes. I am trying to generate some interest in a class to make and sell the "original" sturdypress. That would give the school enough income to keep the shop tools repaired and sharp, also a good way to learn to run a small business. So far no luck ( teacher salary, insurance, etc,etc)
Hi Bob. That's sad that the students would have an opportunity to learn to make an authentic artisanal product like a cheese press. They could even use it to make cheese in their Home Economics class. What, no woodworking or Home Ec. classes anymore? :( :( :(