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I've seen some homemade ones online and have a rough idea how to make one using a bottle jack for the pressing. Just wondered if anyone had made one and could give some advise

I've never actually made one but i have seen some based on a car jack that look simple to build. I'm planning this for next autumn when the crab apples are ripe for the picking. This year i fermented apples on the pulp, scratting with a food processor and it was an absolute nightmare. 40lbs of apples through a food processor - never again.

If you have a rummage around jimsbeerkit.co.uk there's a good design on there with pictures. Some lengths of 2x4, boards and a car jack - you'll be in business.

Found it: http://jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=36029

I'd say just knock it up. You get at least half a tonne of pressing power (how heavy is a car?) compared to the paltry amounts you can get on the small commercial presses. I use my commercial one for cheese and soft fruit, no way it would cope with apples.

 Placing your fruit in a deep freezer for a few days would surely break it right down once thawed out and juice extraction made much easier ?

             Just a thought,
                        Regards.

It helps, KMARK, but with apples I've found they're still too hard. Soft fruit practically melts when defrosted but apples just go a wee bit softer, in my experience anyway.