Harbor Freight Press

[cthomas]

Has anyone thought of using a Harbor Freight Shop press as a starting point for an Apple Press?

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-shop-press-60604.html

At $120 which includes the jack seems a lot cheaper and stronger than trying to build something out of a wooden frame, especially if you need to buy the wood. I might try to do it this fall just wondering if anyone has already done it and what their experiences was.

- C. Thomas

 

[kharper6]

I used one for fret-work on guitars. After modification it worked great. I'm sure it will be good for your apple press if I can shove nickel into ebony wood with it.

 

[EpicCider]

A lot of homemade ones are made with house jacks bought at harbor freight.

You are still going to have to build the container/lid, but it seems like a viable way to go. If you are going to press a lot though, a bladder press is the way to go.

 

[sandyeggoxj]

Those little presses are pretty good. The only thing that bothered me was the massive frame deflection on the 20-ton press when I had it maxed out. You should have a problem with that!

Post up some pictures!