Cider Press
Plans- Sample Chapter
Front Posts and Cross Piece
The front posts and cross piece are the heart of the press and take the
most pressure. Not to worry, however, as this design is extremely
strong and is easily disassembled in the unlikely event repairs are
necessary. The posts are notched ("dadoed") to receive the
cross piece and screw assembly, and are held together with a threaded rod
dadoed into the bottom of the cross piece (the photo shows two rods
here: this is unnecessary, as one is sufficient).
Start by ripping your stock to width, giving yourself about 1/4"
extra for planing to final width after glue-up. Laminate the pieces
together for the desired thickness, in this case 3 1/4". Don't
skimp on the glue: it should squeeze out on all four sides.
Clamp and allow to dry overnight.
Plane one surface flat on the jointer, then saw the piece to near final
dimension on the table saw, running the newly jointed surface along the
saw fence. Finally, joint the sawn side, and your stock is square
and surfaced, Trim the piece to length.
On the posts, miter the tops 1/2" down from the end (tipping the
saw blade 45 degrees). On the cross piece, cut a 1/2" x
1/2" dado centered on the length of the bottom. Measure where
the dados should go on the posts, and then use the actual cross piece and
screw assembly to mark the width and where the holes need to be
drilled. (Directly marking on the piece is always more accurate then
measuring with a tape or ruler). Cut the dados for the threaded rod
and drill the holes for the screw assembly bolts.
