North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Jim Fruth" <jfruth@uslink.net>]

   I've had two cider presses.  I built both because I was appalled at the 
price.  The first one, back in 1973, was patterned after a picture in Mother 
Earth News magazine.  By the time I finished remaking it twice, I probably 
worked for 50 cents per hour compared to what I would have spent, had I just 
bought it.  I sold my first press.
   I was older and wiser in 1999 when I bought the hardware from Bob 
Correll for $225 and I fabricated the rest.  Back then, the least expensive 
Correll press was over $400, a fair price considering the time I spent.  But 
then, I didn't pattern mine after his cheapest model.  Mine is a two-station 
press so I can grind and press at the same time.  Just buying hardware 
allowed me to opt out of the motor on the grinder - mine has a crank, a 
handy feature when I take it to a farmers' market to sell fresh-squeezed 
cider where electricity isn't available to operate a motorized grinder.
   Both of my presses have a VERY HANDY feature that I've not seen on any 
commercial press.  My press has an axle with two wheels and 
wheel-barrow-like handles for ease of moving it around.

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
www.bberryfarm.com
(218)568-8483 [Store]
(218)831-7018 [My Cell]