How to make an apple press

The press measures 2½ feet tall by 2ft wide - dimensions that fit an old wood tray I customised to collect the juice. The timber I used is yellow pine bought as offcuts in 3x3inch and 3x4 lengths. This was chosen for its strength as originally I was pressing the apples without freezing them first. If you freeze your apples ordinary pine is fine and you can even forget the joints made in steps 1-3 (although they make for a much better job).

1. Measure and cut the uprights and cross members to length, lay on a flat surface to mark where the timbers cross.
2. To make simple joints use a saw to make a series of cuts halfway through each timber where they cross.
3. Then use a mallet and chisel to remove the wood between the saw cuts. 
4. Place the wood in position then drill holes through the timbers where they cross, take apart then paint on some wood glue and then put back together, fixing in place with a washered bolt.
5. Once the frame is made, bolt on two horizontal legs either side for stability.
6. Saw two rectangles of timber to sit inside the frame for the apples to sit between - anything above a couple of inches thick is ideal but if you can't get any, use marine ply stacked up to an inch thick.
7. Paint the lot with a clear varnish.

To use: put a tray between the legs of the press and place a chunky timber on the inside of the frame. Wrap up a few frozen apples in a tea towel and place on the chunky timber and put the other timber on top. Brace the car jack between the top of the frame and the chunky timber (you might need a few pieces of timber to pack out between the jack and frame) and wind up to squash the juice from the apples.

Here's to a happy and fruitful New Year!