The bucket was made from a 7 gallon plastic pail. I used a 0.5 inch drill and perferated it at a 1 inch grid. The frame was made from scrap 2x3 (inch) pine. For the press I bought a 1 inch x 3 foot threaded rod, 5 nuts, and 2 @ 4 inch washers. (one of the nuts is larger than the rod and can twist freely within) I paid a welder $5 to weld 1 nut onto each washer, and the large nut onto a metal plate. I drilled 2 holes into the washers and metal plate to allow mounting. The pressing plate was made of plywood coated in polyurathane, with a 2x3 mounted across for support. The large nut and plate were mounted into the 2x3. The cross member of the frame had a hole drilled into it. The washer & nut were mounted on the underside of the crossmember.
The remaining 2 nuts and nut/washer were used to fasten the prying lever to the threaded rod. The lever is a 2x3 with a hole drilled through it. The washer is mounted on the bottom sideand the nuts lock the lever down from the top.
R N N LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL NW R R FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF F NW F FB R BF FB R BF FB R BF FB LN BF FBPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPBF FB BF FB BF FBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFIt has worked for 5 seasons so far.
Mark Hibberd had a few questions about the press I described.
1) Crushed apples can flow through the drilled holes, a nylon bag helps.
When used for pressing grapes there is no problem.
The tapering of the pail is ~ 0.5 inch.
There is a gap when the plate is high in the bucket, no big deal.
2) I turn the handle 1 revolution, then wait a few minutes.
Toward the bottom of the pail I wait ~5 min, less at the top.
3) I press about 50 - 70% of the initial volume into juice.
4) I have not tried to make a crusher.
Freezing the apples allows them to shatter into a pulp.
Jeff Summit, summit_j@orgella.com