Cider Press Piston and Riser

Both of these wood parts are being sealed with coats of food grade finish and drying in the sun. On the left is the piston with the metal plate which will engage the tip on the Acme rod with a short stack of lubricated fender washers to allow the rod to turn and the piston to stay stationary. I added handles to make it easier to lift it out of the basket after it has compressed the apple pulp. On the right is the upside down riser which goes under the basket to allow room for the cider to accumulate in the large Stainless steel pot. My wood working friend who cut the plywood disks and made the steel plate also made the X shaped riser support out of very dry Oak and glued and clamped it all together.

August 13th, 2015