Cider and fruit press
A rack-and-cloth press: hardwood racks and cloth-wrapped cheeses of milled fruit in a juice tray, pressed by a bottle jack in a bolted timber frame.
Default dimensions are shown below. Enable JavaScript to edit dimensions and inspect the 3D model.
Dimensions
- rack Size
- 400 mm
- rack Count
- 5
- slat Width
- 40 mm
- slat Thickness
- 12 mm
- slat Gap
- 8 mm
- cheese Loaded
- 50 mm
- cheese Pressed
- 25 mm
- jack Closed
- 230 mm
- jack Stroke
- 180 mm
- frame Section
- 45 mm, 145 mm
- board Section
- 19 mm, 70 mm
- board Length
- 2,400 mm
- slat Stock Length
- 2,400 mm
- kerf
- 3 mm
- tray Type
- 1
- bolt Diameter
- 12 mm
Shopping list
Quantities follow the dimensions above and have not been checked against a built example.
| Quantity | Item | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Timber | ||
| 8 2400 mm lengths | frame timber45 mm × 145 mm section24 cuts · 2,104 mm offcut in total | First-fit estimate with the entered saw kerf. Check grain and defects before cutting. |
| 11 2400 mm lengths | hardwood slat12 mm × 40 mm section55 cuts · 4,235 mm offcut in total | |
| 1 2400 mm length | planed board, 19 × 70 mm | For the former, ripped to 50 mm,. First-fit estimate with the entered saw kerf. |
| Sheet | ||
| 1 plate | steel plate, 6 mm | 400 × 235 mm, drilled for four fixings. It sits under the top beams where the jack pushes. |
| Fixings and hardware | ||
| 4 bolts | bolts, 12 mm × 210 mm, each with two washers and a nut | Hex or carriage bolts in 13 mm holes. Size and grade need checking for your press. |
| 14 bolts | bolts, 12 mm × 260 mm, each with two washers and a nut | |
| 120 fixings | stainless steel screws or nails, 20 mm | One where each slat crosses a cross slat. Juice runs over them, so use stainless steel. |
| 8 screws | stainless steel screws, 40 mm | Two at each corner of the former. |
| 50 screws | wood screws, 80 mm | For the post leaves, bed bearers, pressing block and jack plate. Drill pilot holes. |
| Bought parts | ||
| 1 jack | bottle jack | Closed height 230 mm and stroke 180 mm, as entered. Choose its rated capacity yourself; this model makes no load rating. Use it upright, as its maker instructs. |
| 1 tray | juice tray with a spout, stainless steel or food-grade plastic | Inside at least 500 × 500 mm and 50 mm deep, with the spout at the front at floor level. |
| 5 cloths | press cloths | At least 950 × 950 mm, open weave: polyester, nylon, polypropylene or cotton. One for each cheese. |
| Sealants and coatings | ||
| finish, amount not specified | food-safe finish or paraffin wax for the wood the juice touches | Choose a product sold for food contact, or leave hardwood racks bare and clean them well. Do not use treated timber anywhere the juice runs. |
| glue, amount not specified | wood adhesive (exterior wood glue) | For the post leaves and the pressing boards. |
Cutting plan
Stock allocation uses the model’s kerf rule and the default stock lengths. No piece is spliced to fit.
frame 1frame
2,400 mm- 1,298 mm
- 824 mm
Offcut 272 mm
frame 2frame
2,400 mm- 1,298 mm
- 824 mm
Offcut 272 mm
frame 3frame
2,400 mm- 1,298 mm
- 824 mm
Offcut 272 mm
frame 4frame
2,400 mm- 1,298 mm
- 824 mm
Offcut 272 mm
frame 5frame
2,400 mm- 804 mm
- 804 mm
- 504 mm
Offcut 279 mm
frame 6frame
2,400 mm- 804 mm
- 804 mm
- 504 mm
Offcut 279 mm
frame 7frame
2,400 mm- 504 mm
- 504 mm
- 504 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 73 mm
frame 8frame
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
board 1board
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 362 mm
- 362 mm
Offcut 864 mm
slat 1slat
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
slat 2slat
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
slat 3slat
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
slat 4slat
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
slat 5slat
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
slat 6slat
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
slat 7slat
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
slat 8slat
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
slat 9slat
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
slat 10slat
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
slat 11slat
2,400 mm- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
- 400 mm
Offcut 385 mm
Cut list
| Part | Stock | Cut | Joint and angles |
|---|---|---|---|
| frame | 1,298 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 1,298 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 1,298 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 1,298 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 824 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 824 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 824 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 824 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 804 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 804 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 804 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 804 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 504 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 504 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 504 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 504 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 504 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| slat | 400 mm × 40 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 400 mm × 133 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 400 mm × 133 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 400 mm × 133 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 400 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| steel plate | 400 mm × 235 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 400 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 400 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| frame | 400 mm × 145 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| board | 400 mm × 50 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| board | 400 mm × 50 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| board | 362 mm × 50 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° | |
| board | 362 mm × 50 mm | Cut and joint details require physical verification. Saw angle from square 0° |
Openings and fitted details
- id
- spout
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 20 mm
- centre
- 362 mm, -179 mm, 447 mm
- target Id
- tray.wall.front
- axis
- y
- status
- part of the bought tray; front, at floor level
- id
- hole.bolt.top.left.1
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 23 mm, 73 mm, 1,201 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.top.left.2
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 68 mm, 73 mm, 1,250 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.top.right.1
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 702 mm, 73 mm, 1,201 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.top.right.2
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 657 mm, 73 mm, 1,250 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.base.left.1
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 23 mm, 73 mm, 193 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.base.left.2
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 68 mm, 73 mm, 242 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.base.right.1
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 702 mm, 73 mm, 193 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.base.right.2
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 657 mm, 73 mm, 242 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.foot.left.1
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 45 mm, 73 mm, 48 mm
- axis
- x
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.foot.left.2
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 45 mm, 73 mm, 97 mm
- axis
- x
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.foot.right.1
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 679 mm, 73 mm, 48 mm
- axis
- x
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.foot.right.2
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 679 mm, 73 mm, 97 mm
- axis
- x
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.block.1.1
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 262 mm, 73 mm, 1,176 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.block.1.2
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 462 mm, 73 mm, 1,176 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.block.2.1
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 262 mm, 73 mm, 1,221 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.block.2.2
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 462 mm, 73 mm, 1,221 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.block.3.1
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 262 mm, 73 mm, 1,266 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
- id
- hole.bolt.block.3.2
- type
- circle
- diameter
- 13 mm
- centre
- 462 mm, 73 mm, 1,266 mm
- axis
- y
- status
- drill through every layer at once, clamped in place
Parts
| Part | Material | Size | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| frame timber | 45 mm × 145 mm × 1,298 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 145 mm × 1,298 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 145 mm × 1,298 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 145 mm × 1,298 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 824 mm × 45 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 824 mm × 45 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 824 mm × 45 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 824 mm × 45 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 804 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 804 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 804 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 804 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 504 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 504 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 504 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 504 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 45 mm × 504 mm × 145 mm | proposal | |
| bought juice tray | 504 mm × 504 mm × 2 mm | smallest bought tray that holds the racks; buy this size or larger | |
| bought juice tray | 504 mm × 2 mm × 48 mm | smallest bought tray that holds the racks; buy this size or larger | |
| bought juice tray | 504 mm × 2 mm × 48 mm | smallest bought tray that holds the racks; buy this size or larger | |
| bought juice tray | 2 mm × 500 mm × 48 mm | smallest bought tray that holds the racks; buy this size or larger | |
| bought juice tray | 2 mm × 500 mm × 48 mm | smallest bought tray that holds the racks; buy this size or larger | |
| bought juice tray | 20 mm × 82 mm × 20 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| press cloth around milled fruit | 362 mm × 362 mm × 50 mm | loaded cheese envelope before pressing; not cut or bought | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| press cloth around milled fruit | 362 mm × 362 mm × 50 mm | loaded cheese envelope before pressing; not cut or bought | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| press cloth around milled fruit | 362 mm × 362 mm × 50 mm | loaded cheese envelope before pressing; not cut or bought | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| press cloth around milled fruit | 362 mm × 362 mm × 50 mm | loaded cheese envelope before pressing; not cut or bought | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 40 mm × 400 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| hardwood slat | 400 mm × 40 mm × 12 mm | proposal | |
| press cloth around milled fruit | 362 mm × 362 mm × 50 mm | loaded cheese envelope before pressing; not cut or bought | |
| frame timber | 400 mm × 133 mm × 45 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 400 mm × 133 mm × 45 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 400 mm × 133 mm × 45 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 145 mm × 400 mm × 45 mm | proposal | |
| bottle jack | 100 mm × 100 mm × 230 mm | bought part; closed height entered, body diameter drawn | |
| steel plate | 400 mm × 235 mm × 6 mm | proposal; spreads the jack load under the top beams and top block | |
| frame timber | 400 mm × 145 mm × 45 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 400 mm × 145 mm × 45 mm | proposal | |
| frame timber | 400 mm × 145 mm × 45 mm | proposal | |
| planed board | 400 mm × 19 mm × 50 mm | proposal | |
| planed board | 400 mm × 19 mm × 50 mm | proposal | |
| planed board | 19 mm × 362 mm × 50 mm | proposal | |
| planed board | 19 mm × 362 mm × 50 mm | proposal | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 210 mm × 12 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 210 mm × 12 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 210 mm × 12 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 210 mm × 12 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked | |
| bolt | 12 mm × 260 mm × 12 mm | proposal; size and grade to be checked |
Build steps and tools
Buy the jack first
Buy the bottle jack, and the tray unless you are building one, before you cut anything. Enter the jack’s closed height and stroke: they set the height of the whole frame. Check the opening, the daylight and how much of the stroke the press uses.
Tape measure.
tape measureCut the frame
Mark the post leaves, beams, feet, bed bearers, top block layers and pressing boards from the cut list and crosscut them square. Rip the pieces the cut list gives a narrower width. Use untreated timber.
Pencil and square; circular saw, handsaw or mitre saw for the crosscuts; table saw or rip saw for the rips.
marking pencilsquarecircular sawhandsawmitre sawtable sawhand rip sawMake the posts
Glue each pair of post leaves face to face, clamp them flat and screw them together from both sides. Keep the screws clear of the bolt positions at the top, the base beams and the feet.
Clamps, drill/driver, pilot bit and driver bit.
clampdrill driverdrill bitdriver bitBolt the frame
Clamp the feet either side of each post foot, the base beams across the front and back of the posts, and the top beams at the top with the top block layers between them. Check the frame is square, then drill each bolt hole through all the layers at once and fit the bolts with a washer under the head and under the nut. Screw the jack plate under the top beams and the bed bearers across the base beams.
Clamps, square, drill/driver and a long drill bit; spanners for the nuts.
clampsquaredrill driverdrill bitMake the racks
Cut the slats and cross slats. Round every edge and corner so they do not tear the cloths. Lay the slats across three cross slats, spaced with an offcut of the listed gap, and fix each crossing with one stainless screw or nail.
Mitre saw or handsaw, sander, and a drill/driver with a pilot bit or a hammer.
mitre sawhandsawsanderdrill driverdrill bithammerMake the former and the pressing block
Rip the former boards to the loaded cheese thickness and screw the four sides into a square frame the size of a rack. Glue the pressing boards edge to edge and screw the jack bearer across them in the middle.
Table saw or rip saw, drill/driver with pilot and countersink bits, and clamps.
table sawhand rip sawdrill driverdrill bitcountersink bitclampFit the tray
Set the tray on the bed bearers with the spout at the front, and stand the collecting bucket under it. For a timber tray, screw the lips to the base from below, lay in the liner, turn it up over the lips and staple it along the outside, then fit the spout pipe through the front lip and seal round it.
Drill/driver and hole saw for the spout hole; utility knife and staple gun for the liner.
drill driverhole sawutility knifestaple gunFinish the wood the juice touches
Treat the racks, former, pressing boards and a timber tray with a finish sold for food contact, or leave hardwood racks bare and wash them well. The Agriculture Canada plan coated these parts with hot paraffin.
A brush for the chosen finish.
paint brushBuild the stack
Stand a rack in the tray and the former on it. Spread a cloth over the former, fill it level with milled fruit, fold the cloth over from the four sides and lift the former off. Add the next rack and repeat, then the pressing block on top and the jack on the jack bearer, under the plate.
No tools.
Check before you press
Stack the empty racks with the jack in place. Check the gap between the jack and the plate, that the frame stands level and does not rock, and that every bolt is tight. The model makes no load rating: choose the jack and check the frame, the bolts and the timber yourself before pressing.
Tape measure and square.
tape measuresquare
Tools by operation
measure and mark
Measure the timber, slats, boards and the bought jack and tray, then mark every piece from the cut list
requiredtape measuresquaremarking pencil
alternativeruler
cut frame
Crosscut the post leaves, beams, feet, bed bearers, top block and pressing boards, and rip the boards the cut list gives a narrower width
requiredsaw
alternativecircular sawhandsawmitre sawtable sawhand rip saw
optionalclamp
unsuitablejigsaw
laminate posts
Glue and screw each pair of post leaves together, clamped flat and square
requiredclampdrill driverdriver bit
alternativescrewdriver
optionalsquaredrill bit
unsuitablehammer
drill bolt holes
Clamp each beam and foot in place on the posts and drill the bolt holes square through all the layers at once
requireddrill driverdrill bitclamp
alternativehand drill
optionalsquare
unsuitableimpact driver
assemble frame
Bolt the feet, base beams, top beams and top block to the posts with a washer under each head and nut; screw down the bed bearers and the jack plate
requireddrill driverdriver bitdrill bit
alternativescrewdriver
optionalsquareclamp
make racks
Cut the slats, round their edges so they do not tear the cloths, and fix them across three cross slats with stainless fixings
requiredsawsanderdrill driver
alternativemitre sawhandsawhammerdrill bit
optionalsquareclamp
unsuitablestaple gun
make former and block
Rip and screw the former, and glue and screw the pressing boards to the jack bearer
requiredsawdrill driverdrill bit
alternativetable sawhand rip sawcircular sawcountersink bit
optionalclampsandersquare
fit tray
Set the tray on the bed with the spout to the front; for a timber tray, fit the liner and the spout pipe and seal round it
requiredtape measure
alternativehole sawdrill bitutility knifestaple gun
optionaldrill driver
check before use
Stack the empty racks with the jack in place and check the daylight, the jack travel and that the frame stands level and firm
requiredtape measure
alternativeruler
optionalsquare
Before you build
Frame strength, bolt sizing, jack safety and food-contact timber need checking before you press. The pressed cheese thickness is an assumption; measure your own and enter it.
- Frame strength, bolt sizing, jack safety and food-contact timber need checking before you press. The pressed cheese thickness is an assumption; measure your own and enter it.
- Frame, slats, boards, tray, plate and jack follow the model, drawn loaded before pressing. Each cheese is a plain block for the folded cloth and fruit. The jack is a cylinder of its closed height, and the bolts are plain rods without heads, washers or nuts. Screws and nails are listed, not drawn.
- Every dimension is a proposal for an original design. Measure your timber, slats, jack and tray and enter the real sizes.
- Proposal: each cheese goes into the former 50 mm thick and presses down to about 25 mm. The jack then travels 145 mm of its 180 mm stroke. Measure your own pressing and enter it.
- The slats sit 11 mm apart so that 8 of them fill the 400 mm rack.
What the 3D model leaves out
Frame, slats, boards, tray, plate and jack follow the model, drawn loaded before pressing. Each cheese is a plain block for the folded cloth and fruit. The jack is a cylinder of its closed height, and the bolts are plain rods without heads, washers or nuts. Screws and nails are listed, not drawn.
Taking the model apart separates parts for inspection; it is not an assembly order.
Dimension evidence and geometric checks
- layout
- Agriculture Canada booklet 1406, reproduced on Andrew Lea’s cider.org.uk: a 4 × 4 in fir frame, a 1½-ton hydraulic jack with 8 in lift, five 14 × 14 in racks of ¼ × 1 in hardwood slats on stainless nails, cotton cloths about 36 in square and a 2 in deep former that makes a 2 in cheese.
- frame
- Paul Brannan, Build a Cider Press, Brew Your Own: a bottle jack, planed 2 × 4 in timber with 2 × 6 in upper cross beams, a hardwood board or a steel plate between the upper beams for the jack to push against, carriage bolts at the joints, five or six cheeses and cloths at least twice the former size.
- racks
- dgom, Rack and cloth apple cider press, Craftisian: a bottle jack, six racks of oak strips and a cloth-lined former.
- tray
- Vigo 72 litre rack and cloth press: six acacia racks, a stainless juice tray with an outlet spout and a beech pressure plate; 41 cm racks and 70 cm cloths are sold for it.
- finish
- The Agriculture Canada plan coats the wood the juice touches with hot paraffin; Brew Your Own varnishes the slats and top plate. This model names no finish.
- compression
- No source gives how thin a cheese gets when pressed. The pressed thickness is a proposal for the builder to replace with a measurement.
- id
- positive-dimensions
- ok
- Yes
- id
- stack-fits-daylight
- ok
- Yes
- daylight
- 712 mm
- detail
- Tray floor, loaded racks and cheeses, pressing block, closed jack and its start gap fit under the jack plate.
- id
- jack-travel
- ok
- Yes
- travel
- 145 mm
- stroke
- 180 mm
- detail
- The stroke covers the gap to the plate and the assumed compression of the stack.
- id
- racks-inside-tray
- ok
- Yes
- detail
- The racks stand inside the tray with a margin each side for juice that runs off the edges.
- id
- tray-between-posts
- ok
- Yes
- detail
- The tray fits between the posts.
- id
- stock-fit
- ok
- Yes
- id
- bolt-spacing
- ok
- Yes
- detail
- Hole spacing only: each bolt keeps a bolt diameter of wood each side and two diameters to the edges. Bolt strength is not checked.
Reference renders
Fixed views of the original proposal. They do not change with your dimensions.
