I was about to start in on making a square press basket out of 3/4" x 3"
boards but stopped in a local Home Depot by the Sono Tubes. These are the
tubes that are used as concrete forms for pilings. I was thinking that if
a tube was varnished as the wood would be then it may make construction
alot simpler. However I don't think the Sono Tube is optimal since it's
made of cardboard.

Can anyone think of a another perfectly cylindrical object that could be
used? A white plastic pail like a secondary is conical so it's out. The
only other item I could think of was a plastic pipe like they use for city
water mains but I think they may be difficult to find. I'm wondering if
anyone can think of something else?

Don

"Don S" > wrote in message
om...
> I was about to start in on making a square press basket out of 3/4" x 3"
> boards but stopped in a local Home Depot by the Sono Tubes. These are the
> tubes that are used as concrete forms for pilings. I was thinking that if
> a tube was varnished as the wood would be then it may make construction
> alot simpler. However I don't think the Sono Tube is optimal since it's
> made of cardboard.
>
> Can anyone think of a another perfectly cylindrical object that could be
> used? A white plastic pail like a secondary is conical so it's out. The
> only other item I could think of was a plastic pipe like they use for city
> water mains but I think they may be difficult to find. I'm wondering if
> anyone can think of something else?
>
> Don

How about a short piece of plastic pipe Don? See at the bottom of the page
here http://home.att.net/~lumeisenman/chapt6.html

Yes Lum .....that certainly looks like a good poorman's press.....I
use something similar but more crude even.Basically a plastic
fermentation bucket set in a frame that accepts a tire jack ,etc. It
works OK but can't press grapes very dry or the wooden frame might
break. Any plans for the one shown on your site?....looks easy enough
to build .....but just wondering...is the screw jack attatched to the
bottom pan?....is it stainless steel?.....details would be
great....I'm a licensed carpenter by trade so it's workable for
me....thanks Andy Jones....N.B.,Canada.......

"Andy j." > wrote in message
om...
> Yes Lum .....that certainly looks like a good poorman's press.....I
> use something similar but more crude even.Basically a plastic
> fermentation bucket set in a frame that accepts a tire jack ,etc. It
> works OK but can't press grapes very dry or the wooden frame might
> break. Any plans for the one shown on your site?

Sorry Andy, I never got around to drowing up plans.

>...looks easy enough
> to build .....but just wondering...is the screw jack attatched to the
> bottom pan? ....is it stainless steel?.....details would be
> great.

The bottom of the press is made from four circles cut from 3/4 inch plywood
laminated togather. The upper surface of the bottom is covered with a layer
of fiberglass and the rim is made from 4-invh fiberglass tape. The "screw"
is a length of stainless "all thread." It goes completely through the bottom
of the press and is retained by nuts and washers on the top and bottom
surfaces.

>...I'm a licensed carpenter by trade so it's workable for
> me....thanks Andy Jones....N.B.,Canada.......

If you don't want to use fiberglass, just wrap a piece of sheet metal around
the bottom to make the pan, then caulk and paint. You should have little
trouble with the construction.

Good luck
Lum
Del Mar, California, USA

"Andy j." > wrote in message
om...
> Yes Lum .....that certainly looks like a good poorman's press.....I
> use something similar but more crude even.Basically a plastic
> fermentation bucket set in a frame that accepts a tire jack ,etc. It
> works OK but can't press grapes very dry or the wooden frame might
> break. Any plans for the one shown on your site?....looks easy enough
> to build .....but just wondering...is the screw jack attatched to the
> bottom pan?....is it stainless steel?.....details would be
> great....I'm a licensed carpenter by trade so it's workable for
> me....thanks Andy Jones....N.B.,Canada.......
>
>
Andy, I'm considering making a press, and using the old fashioned type car
jack. Remember those that hooked onto the bumper? Did you use that type? I
think it might work great, especially since it retracts so easily.
Ken

"Andy j." > wrote in message
om...
> Yes Lum .....that certainly looks like a good poorman's press.....I
> use something similar but more crude even.Basically a plastic
> fermentation bucket set in a frame that accepts a tire jack ,etc. It
> works OK but can't press grapes very dry or the wooden frame might
> break. Any plans for the one shown on your site?

Sorry Andy, I never got around to drowing up plans.

>...looks easy enough
> to build .....but just wondering...is the screw jack attatched to the
> bottom pan? ....is it stainless steel?.....details would be
> great.

The bottom of the press is made from four circles cut from 3/4 inch plywood
laminated togather. The upper surface of the bottom is covered with a layer
of fiberglass and the rim is made from 4-invh fiberglass tape. The "screw"
is a length of stainless "all thread." It goes completely through the bottom
of the press and is retained by nuts and washers on the top and bottom
surfaces.

>...I'm a licensed carpenter by trade so it's workable for
> me....thanks Andy Jones....N.B.,Canada.......

If you don't want to use fiberglass, just wrap a piece of sheet metal around
the bottom to make the pan, then caulk and paint. You should have little
trouble with the construction.

Good luck
Lum
Del Mar, California, USA

>
> How about a short piece of plastic pipe Don? See at the bottom of the page
> here http://home.att.net/~lumeisenman/chapt6.html


That was my first pass as well but I can't find a source other
than a distributor that sells 13' lengths. I'd need to find a
part of the city being developed and try to ask the workman for
a piece of waste (as I believe you did for yours?).

Don

Small poly drums might work.

-David
Denver, CO USA

(Don S) wrote in message . com>...
> I was about to start in on making a square press basket out of 3/4" x 3"
> boards but stopped in a local Home Depot by the Sono Tubes. These are the
> tubes that are used as concrete forms for pilings. I was thinking that if
> a tube was varnished as the wood would be then it may make construction
> alot simpler. However I don't think the Sono Tube is optimal since it's
> made of cardboard.
>
> Can anyone think of a another perfectly cylindrical object that could be
> used? A white plastic pail like a secondary is conical so it's out. The
> only other item I could think of was a plastic pipe like they use for city
> water mains but I think they may be difficult to find. I'm wondering if
> anyone can think of something else?
>
> Don

(David D.) wrote in message . com>...
> Small poly drums might work.
>

What's a poly drum?

Someone else mentioned a plastic pail but they're conical
as I mentioned before.

Don

"Don S" > wrote in message
om...
> I was about to start in on making a square press basket out of 3/4" x 3"
> boards but stopped in a local Home Depot by the Sono Tubes. These are the
> tubes that are used as concrete forms for pilings. I was thinking that if
> a tube was varnished as the wood would be then it may make construction
> alot simpler. However I don't think the Sono Tube is optimal since it's
> made of cardboard.
>
> Can anyone think of a another perfectly cylindrical object that could be
> used? A white plastic pail like a secondary is conical so it's out. The
> only other item I could think of was a plastic pipe like they use for city
> water mains but I think they may be difficult to find. I'm wondering if
> anyone can think of something else?
>
> Don

How about a short piece of plastic pipe Don? See at the bottom of the page
here http://home.att.net/~lumeisenman/chapt6.html