Homemade tobacco plug press

[Jitterbugdude]

I've wanted to make a dedicated press for plug tobacco for awhile now. I had this part off of an old grape press. I originally intended to turn down some 5/8 rod on my lathe but discovered my lathe is out of adjustment ( due to me rebuliding it.. ). So I shelved this for awhile until I realized I could use All-thread to do the job.




I bought some materials: 5/8 inch all -thread (12 inches long) a few washers and nuts.



I ground down the all-thread so I had flats spots on each end. This allowed me to insert it into the screw press head and secure it with nuts and washers. I then welded two nuts to the base plate and assembled everything. I wanted the base plate to be rather long to allow me to step on it to secure it while I was cranking down on the handle. My other option would have been to drill two holes in the base and secure it to a work bench. I didn't like that idea because it would be too permanent and always be in my way..



I was using this oak box ( with simple butt joints) with 2 "C"-clamps but it was kind of a pain to use.

I think this might be useful for making Perique too!

 

[johnlee1933]

Nice job Dude. I have an old sausage maker with similar gearing. I might swipe your idea for perique.

 

[Knucklehead]

Nice press JBD.

 

[BigBonner]

Great press Jitterbugdude

After you tighten the big screw as tight as you can get it you could always tighten the nuts on down with a wrench to add more pressure if needed .

 

[Jitterbugdude]

BigB..Good idea, I never thought of that.

 

[workhorse_01]

Nice set up. Maybe rap the box with metal plumbers strap, or does the pressure bother the box?

 

[Jitterbugdude]

The oak sides are 1 1/2 inches thick and I used 3 inch screws. Pressing for plug has never stressed the box at all. The box itself has no top or bottom. I put it on a piece of oak and then have an oak follower board for the top. When I take the press off I lift the box off the bottom and just push the follower board until the plug falls out.

I am going to try some Perique with it. I use a small stainless steal box for Perique and usually use my 20 ton shop press. We'll see how this does.

 

[deluxestogie]

I am going to try some Perique with it. We'll see how this does.

It seems like all the juice will squeeze out of the box.

Bob

 

[johnlee1933]

It seems like all the juice will squeeze out of the box.Bob

You could line the box with a plastic bag.

 

[Jitterbugdude]

T

I use a small stainless stell box for Perique and usually use my 20 ton shop press. We'll see how this does.

Well- I KNEW I should have clarified this (it's like talking to my wife..).. I plan to use the plug press WITH the stainless steal box when I make Perique

 

[deluxestogie]

So...unlike my proposed Lexan jar, you won't be concerned about the whole thing exploding in the middle of the night from the pressure.

Bob

 

[Jitterbugdude]

No explosion, There's just enough of a gap at the lid to allow the juices to flow up the sides a bit. If there are juices coming to the top I'm not worried about an explosion.... at least from this particular experiment... I won't even go into details about the time I set my self on fire (OK I did it twice but it wasn't my fault)

 

[Chicken]

you being a avid pipe smoker,

im surprised you aint all ready constructed one.

i made one, and it worked perfect,, i used '' c '' clamps to hold the top down

'' defiantlly line the sides with wax paper, your baccy will stick to the wood sides,

 

[deluxestogie]

JBD is an old hand at making Perique. I haven't felt the urge to set up a Perique press, because I was blessed by a large sample of FmGrowit's superb Perique, and some of BigBonner's slightly lighter Perique (it was partway through the process at the time). Both are a real treat. Though I use it frequently, it's used so sparingly that I still have a small quantity of both in the back of my fridge.

Bob

 

[workhorse_01]

We've all set our selves on fire.... at least once, But I was hoping for a sweet plug of chewing tobacco

No explosion, There's just enough of a gap at the lid to allow the juices to flow up the sides a bit. If there are juices coming to the top I'm not worried about an explosion.... at least from this particular experiment... I won't even go into details about the time I set my self on fire (OK I did it twice but it wasn't my fault)

 

[Jitterbugdude]

I have an apple flavored plug in my press right now. That little plug press is sweet! I put 2 ounces of sauced tobacco in it, cranked it down and now I"m just waiting. It exerts an incredible amount of pressure. I have no doubt that it will be capable of making Perique too.