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