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Author Topic: DIY hydraulic press  (Read 3552 times)

gm66

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DIY hydraulic press
« on: April 20, 2019, 12:38:03 PM »
Started making a hydraulic press, old juicer getting annoying what with clogging, cleaning etc. Just need to add a plunger to the top plate, a platform for the saddle of the jack, and another acrylic sheet to hold jack in place at bottom. All you need to do to clean this is rinse the bowl then throw away or empty the bag your chopped fruit/veg goes in each pressing.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2019, 12:40:01 PM by gm66 »
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gm66

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2019, 12:39:44 PM »
That pic was massive,800x600 attached here.
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rcjordan

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2019, 12:48:52 PM »
HHH! That ought to work.  I wonder if the acrylic sheet will hold up to the pressure? I'm thinking you're going to need some stainless plates, eventually.

You'll also need to change the kitchen decor to 'Steam Punk' to go along with the design.  (I love Steam Punk.)
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gm66

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2019, 03:39:29 PM »
Quote from: rcjordan on April 20, 2019, 12:48:52 PM
HHH! That ought to work.  I wonder if the acrylic sheet will hold up to the pressure? I'm thinking you're going to need some stainless plates, eventually.

You'll also need to change the kitchen decor to 'Steam Punk' to go along with the design.  (I love Steam Punk.)

Ye it's a 10-ton jack, which was cheaper than the 2-ton jack1? The acrylic should hold up since not a lot of pressure needed for fruit veg. ordered some stainless plates for the pressing and acrylic rod for the plunger.

Love Steam Punk too :)
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littleman

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2019, 06:28:00 PM »
That's pretty clever!  I like how the cheapest solution was a total overkill with a ten ton jack.  I suspect the acrylic will hold up just fine as long as you are careful not to put too much pressure from the jack, but you are squishing fruit (and veggies?), so you'll probably stop quite a bit before then.
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gm66

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2019, 11:40:21 PM »
Quote from: littleman on April 20, 2019, 06:28:00 PM
That's pretty clever!  I like how the cheapest solution was a total overkill with a ten ton jack.  I suspect the acrylic will hold up just fine as long as you are careful not to put too much pressure from the jack, but you are squishing fruit (and veggies?), so you'll probably stop quite a bit before then.

Ye bang on, not a lot of pressure needed. Not my invention though, tons (pun totally intended) of YT videos on similar structure.

Tell ya what thoug, all my pals laughing at me for making something, with friends like that who needs detractors?
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littleman

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2019, 06:24:50 PM »
>all my pals laughing at me for making something, with friends like that who needs detractors?

I don't know, so few people try to do anything on their own these days.  I respect the effort.
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gm66

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2019, 04:29:08 PM »
Quote from: littleman on April 21, 2019, 06:24:50 PM
>all my pals laughing at me for making something, with friends like that who needs detractors?

I don't know, so few people try to do anything on their own these days.  I respect the effort.

Thanks LM.
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gm66

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #8 on: May 08, 2019, 10:48:50 AM »
Quote from: rcjordan on April 20, 2019, 12:48:52 PM
HHH! That ought to work.  I wonder if the acrylic sheet will hold up to the pressure? I'm thinking you're going to need some stainless plates, eventually.

You'll also need to change the kitchen decor to 'Steam Punk' to go along with the design.  (I love Steam Punk.)

You were right about the acrylic, it flexed a lot and the fruit was hardly pressed at all, bought some stainless-steel plates, carbide drill bits arriving today so i can dril the corner holes. 1.2mm thick, hopefully enough!

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ergophobe

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #9 on: May 08, 2019, 05:07:19 PM »
Quote from: gm66 on April 20, 2019, 11:40:21 PM
Tell ya what thoug, all my pals laughing at me for making something, with friends like that who needs detractors?

One-word response: MacGyver

I think that's awesome. I just gave away a hydraulic car jack... probably should have thought harder about how to repurpose it.
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gm66

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #10 on: May 08, 2019, 06:34:00 PM »
lol mcgyver :)

bloody 1.2mm steel flexed without juicing the apple :(

i think i'll go with old-fashioned wood maybe birch ply or something.

drilling steel for the first time was an education in itself, started with a 6mm bit then had to ream it to 12mm, holes were very slightly off so the frame has a slight twist to it. wish my laser cutter could do metal!

the smell of hot steel is kinda nice though :)
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rcjordan

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #11 on: May 08, 2019, 09:18:49 PM »
Keep the ss plate and just back it up with a layer or two of ply.
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littleman

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2019, 09:36:05 PM »
Good instinct on that one RC, all those years of projects have given you builder's intuition.
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gm66

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #13 on: May 09, 2019, 10:19:22 AM »
Quote from: rcjordan on May 08, 2019, 09:18:49 PM
Keep the ss plate and just back it up with a layer or two of ply.

Good point, cheers RC.
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gm66

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Re: DIY hydraulic press
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2019, 06:18:58 PM »
I had a stack of 5mm birch play so tried 2 of those with the steel plate, still flexes, so need to get some 18 mil or solid hardood. Also the pressure-points are small, which is causing indentation so need larger plates, ideally a plunger the same shape as the bowl/jug and a drainer for the bowl/jug.

Work in progress!
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