A fairly cheap press from Harbor Freight.

[olusteebus]

Of course you would have to fabricate the pressing device and buckets but it would not be that hard. Seems you could get some metal buckets and with judicious use of a drill, fix it up.

http://www.harborfreight.com/mercha...monthly-specials/12-ton-shop-press-33497.html

 

[WVMountaineerJack]

or skip the buckets and just make a rack and press with cheeses WVMJ

 

[ibglowin]

You can get a complete brand new basket press (#25) for about 2X that. By the time you purchase the supplies to make a basket might be about the same price. Of course you could use the hydraulic press for other stuff I guess!

 

[richmke]

I had to buy that press in order to replace a wheel bearing. Do a repair once, and it pays for the tool. I haven't gotten around to fixing it up to press grapes.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

I really like the idea of using wood for several reasons =

Its alot easier to move around, considering you use it maybe twice a year

It's a lot cheaper

This metal one - you have to lift your must up pretty high to fill up your basket

I'm sure it might be top heavy ?

Take a look at this idea - very similar - but made from wood and lower to the ground -

Plus you can carry this outside without asking friends to help you - for working or cleaning it

http://www.wholehomenews.com/blog/Build-an-Easy-DIY-Cider-Press/352

 

[Boatboy24]

For $5 more than that, I got my 20 liter press from Craigslist. Yes, you have to be patient. But in my experience, it is worth it. Did the same thing with my Weber Performer. I watched CL for almost two years. Saw a lot of "pretty good" deals come and go, but I finally snagged a brand new one, still in the box for $135 (at the time, it was a $329 grill). I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much on a charcoal grill, and the wife doesn't think twice over $135 most of the time. (by the way, that grill is worth every bit of $329 and more).

 

[richmke]

Assuming you have the shop press, what you would need for the above picture are:

1) Wider base that hooks onto the cross beam for the bucket to sit on.
2) Vertical pieces for the Press Plate to meet the cross bar of the press.

 

[olusteebus]

Assuming you have the shop press, what you would need for the above picture are:

1) Wider base that hooks onto the cross beam for the bucket to sit on.
2) Vertical pieces for the Press Plate to meet the cross bar of the press.

I may go this route. I really have not needed a press that often. I attempted to build one but it does not work well. If I built that, I would probably make more muscadine wine - that is all we have around here.

Who knows, maybe I could find some other grapes nearby.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

I really like the design and the website itself as you get step-by-step instructions which makes life a lot easier for you

 

[Arne]

I may go this route. I really have not needed a press that often. I attempted to build one but it does not work well. If I built that, I would probably make more muscadine wine - that is all we have around here.

Who knows, maybe I could find some other grapes nearby.

If you get the press ready to go, you can use it for apples, pears, your grapes and anything else you want to get the juice out of. Arne.

 

[LittleBearGameFarm]

Just happened to be near a Harbor Freight this weekend so decided to try this. As mentioned, it can be used for other purposes so I thought the $130 would be worth it. Built the basket out of oak this weekend and I think the rest of the build should go all right. The rod on top is 1" so a 1 1/4" pipe will fit right over it. I'll make different lengths for depth of press and then install a floor mount plate for the press board. Need to build the pan yet and then it will have to get raised to have enough clearance for a bucket under the pan. I liked the idea though so thanks Olusteebus!

 

[olusteebus]

Are those steel rings stainless? What are they mounted with?

I don't understand how you will make a press plate.

Thanks

 

[LittleBearGameFarm]

The screws are #10 x 5/8" stainless but the straps are aluminum. I couldn't find stainless and hopefully someone doesn't tell me that aluminum will react with the acids in wine. Aluminum is supposed to be resistant to corrosion? If I find out the aluminum won't hold up, it wouldn't take too long to swap them out.

I'll just cut a couple of circles out of the oak at the diameter of the basket and mount a floor plate to the top of it. The 1 1/4" pipe will then screw into the floor plate at a 90 degree angle and the 1" rod will fit into the pipe.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

I know that aluminum is not good for acidity - but you have very little contact with the wine.

I would ask others as well

 

[LittleBearGameFarm]

Here is about the final product, have about $225 invested. I plan on having a screen inside the barrel and I will cut different pieces of the pipe for different press depths to screw into the flange, should work good, hopefully.

To the people that have presses, what does the bottom of the inside of the press look like? Is there some sort of false bottom in it?

Also, I still have to sand and seal the wood. I couldn't find any varnish that I could guarantee was non-toxic so I got an oil and conditioner made for butcher blocks. Will that work?

Thanks!

 

[richmke]

Nice.

Looks like you have 4x4 mounted to the movable crossbeam under the catch tray. How did you mount them?

 

[NorCal]

Love it. Nicely done. Have you thought about how you will remove the densely packed grape skins after you have completed your press? The ones I have used have a release on the basket, so it can be pulled away from the remaining "cake", that needs to be disposed of.

 

[LittleBearGameFarm]

Nice.

Looks like you have 4x4 mounted to the movable crossbeam under the catch tray. How did you mount them?

At present, they aren't. There are a couple approx. 1/2" diameter rods you can see in the first picture that support the beams. I am planning on getting a couple more about 7" longer. Then, I may drill some holes and run some threaded rod connecting the 4x4's through the beams.

 

[LittleBearGameFarm]

Love it. Nicely done. Have you thought about how you will remove the densely packed grape skins after you have completed your press? The ones I have used have a release on the basket, so it can be pulled away from the remaining "cake", that needs to be disposed of.

I didn't mount the basket to the pan, not sure if I need to? So, I plan on just lifting the basket off of the base and cleaning it out. If I do get uplift when pressing, I'll probably mount some L brackets to hold the basket down and then have to unscrew it when finished.

 

[Boatboy24]

Looks nice. A mineral oil might do the trick for sealing. Though I'm not sure about the impact the oil would have on the wine. There is a product called EZ-DO that is a food grade wood finish. I haven't used it, but it has been recommended by several on these forums.