Apple Grinder and Cider Press Complete

Unveiling the newly completed Whizbang Apple Grinder and Cider Press:

We plan on gathering apples from any source possible.  In fact, we spent yesterday (Saturday) morning driving around the nearest town and asking homeowners if they plan on using the apples that we could see in their backyard.  Some people are very receptive and are thankful.  They almost think of their apple tree as a pest or a chore and so we’re alleviating them of cleanup duty.

We plan on making sweet cider, hard cider and apple cider vinegar.

We’ll post again soon with pics of our first test run!

Thanks, Robert

Other Apple Grinder/Cider Press Posts:

Project Introduction

Status Report

Cutting a Keyway

Being Bold: Apple Collecting

Inaugural Cider Batch

Apple Cider Vinegar (future post)

Hard Cider (future post)

Cider press update

I had quite a bit of time to work on my apple grinder and cider press this past week.  The press frame is all put together now.

That press frame required lots of sawing, for someone without an electric saw.  I do have a Black and Decker scroll saw, pictured here in my post about mechanical tools.  But that blade won’t cut the notches required to piece this frame together.  I guessed I put about three or more hours into cutting out the notches, as pictured below.

I used that hand saw to make 1/4″ deep cuts at 1/2″ intervals and then chiseled out the pieces.  Then I used a rasp to smooth everything out.  The 2×4 uprights had notches on both sides where the 2×6′s are mounted.  There are also notches in the center 2×6′s where the press shaft goes through.  And can you believe I passed on a Dewalt circular saw at a garage sale for $12 a few weeks ago?  I’m kicking myself for that one.  The bottom plate was slightly bent, but it would have been fine for a job like this.

Thanks, Robert.

Other Apple Grinder/Cider Press Posts:

Project Introduction

Cutting a Keyway

Completion

Being Bold: Apple Collecting

Inaugural Cider Batch

Apple Cider Vinegar (future post)

Hard Cider (future post)

Next project: Apple Grinder and Cider Press

I recently posted about my hugely successful apple cider experiment last fall.  I loved it so much that I’ve decided to start working on a plan to produce larger quantities.

Herrick Kimball wrote a book called Anyone Can Build A Whizbang Apple Grinder & Cider Press.  He’s the same guy I’ve written about before who has written a number of how to books, namely the book on how to build your own chicken plucker.

Mr. Kimball continually challenges his readers to “be a scrounger” and find parts as cheaply as you can.  This past week or so I’ve started collecting parts.  I found a craigslist ad for free lumber scrapped from a home remodel and all I had to do was pull out a few nails here and there.  I also visited a “ReStore” nearby that sells construction supplies that were taken from homes being torn down, remodeled, etc.

It was at that store that I found the prize: the Insinkerator 333-SS!  It is a garbage disposal that is all stainless steel on the inside.  To buy new it would be over $200 but I only paid $5 for it (the store owner made me a special deal with the stipulation that I take him some cider).  I tore into it and found it all to be in good condition.  I just have to clean it up a little.  You must have stainless steel parts rather than galvanized internal parts because the acidity of the apples will rust that steel in a hurry.

We plan on making sweet cider, hard cider and perhaps even applesauce with my new toys once complete.  I’ll keep you updated on my progress.

Thanks, Robert.

Other Apple Grinder/Cider Press Posts:

Status Report

Cutting a Keyway

Completion

Being Bold: Apple Collecting

Inaugural Cider Batch

Apple Cider Vinegar (future post)

Hard Cider (future post)