Don, I saw ,in Tuscany, an ancient press like your sketch that used a
massive oak beam ~25 ft long. But it used a large wooden screw under the
"free" end to regulate the rate of applying pressure. There was a large
capstan like device to turn the screw.

--
Regards,
Rex Franklin
"Don S" > wrote in message
om...
> The problem with making your own press in the manner of the
> basket presses is buying and installing the central metal screw.
> Someone (Joe?) posted a technique for pressing with 3 pails and
> that seems like an idea to consider. I was thinking that a
> lever with weights at the end might be a good as well and
> more in the traditional basket press style. Something like
> this:
>
> |
> |o==============o============================o
> | | |
> | |
> | |
> | / \
> | / \
> | / \
> | | | / _____ \
> | | | / | W | \
> | | | / ----- \
> |===============| -------------
> | o o o |
> | o o |
> | o o o o o|
> |___________________|
> \\
>
>
> Anyone know how much pressure a standard basket press exerts?
>
> Don