Making a filter press?

[Bruce Kilgore]

Hi, I've been thinking of ways to build a small filter press. Has anyone else had any ideas. I do not even know if it is practical. I just like to tinker around. Bruce

[forester1]

I would think the plates would be the most expensive and hardest part to fabricate.

[sugaring42long]

Take a look at the lappiere style filter press. It doesn't use plates,frames and papers but instead is essentially a pressurized boot type filter. Looks like it would be easier to make.

[brookledge]

I built my own from parts. I bought 7" grimm parts. Normally 7" press has enough plates an sections to filter about 60 gallons. At the time that was to big for me so I decided to build my own. I purchased a 1/2" teel gear pump from Graingers and bought the two end plates, two sections and one waffle plate and two threaded rods it worked good for 10-15 gallons per set of papers. I recently bought another plate and section and now filter about 15-20 gal at a time. I looked at one and welded up the frame work and then plumbed up the piping. It works great and looks just like a grimm press only cost me a fraction of a new one.
Keith

[mapleman3]

Keith I'm "Interested" !! :lol: a fraction? what fraction... 1/3 .. 1/2 1/4 ? I'd like to start building one too, care to PM me with details?

[Bruce Kilgore]

Keith you have my attention. Details ,details. Bruce

[Bruce Kilgore]

Keith you have my attention. Details ,details. Bruce

[Maple Hill Sugarhouse]

Make a filter press pump like Lappiere's and it will be simpler-I've been going to build one like that for a couple of years just for kicks as i have like 5 filter press pumps kicking around but figure i got 1 filter press pump working now why build another? If one of you two birds wants a press i'll build one up this summer and sell it to ya? Not sure how much just yet as i don't have an idea of how much time i'll have into it? I probably should build one and sell it anyways. Maybe i'll take some orders for them?

[brookledge]

I built mine for about $430.00 in 1999. $276.00 for press parts from Grimm $120 for 1/2" gear pump and about $40.00 for brass piping and fittings. At the time the only type available was 7" or 10" and the 7" cost around 1,000.00 Now 7" goes for about 1400.00. But today there are more options the manufactuers now make presses for small operations. 3/8" gear pump currently through grainger is $120 and 1/2" is $151.00 So I would say parts would be around 500-550 now. I had electric motor and steel kicking around to make the rest. I have never looked at the LaPierre style so I don't know whats involved in making that style. If Kevin can make them cheaper go that way. I do not know any one who has that type to know how good they work.
Keith

[Maple Hill Sugarhouse]

Yes-Build your own for__?__ $. Maybe i can do it cheaper with some used stuff-Like a used filter press pump and stainless cylinders and come up with a price of say $350 and sell it to you for $400 which would be cheaper then you trying to build one for $500+ like brookledge is talking about-Right?

[syrupmaker]

Back away from the keyboard and start building! To cold for anything else this weekend. Well, maybe a big campfire, beer, food and sledding isn't out of the question.

Guess what i'm doing this weekend? Who's stoppin by?

Rick

[Bruce Kilgore]

Hey guy's this is all great. I was thinking that I could build a filter press with a hand pump. You can buy them for around $40. I'm only a very small scale hobby bush. What do you think? I have to look up what La perrie is. Have fun sledding. Bruce