Hm, I really should have been making these updates more regularly, but let's see if I can catch up a bit. This was as of a few days ago. At this point, I hadn't made any modifications to the design.

Oh, and I really should have posted this one first as [Press Build] #0, since it's really the first image of the press, still at the hardware store, heh.


[Press Build] #3

At this point the only change I'd made is that I've shortened the press by 3" from the original design. The plans specify that it was built for a 6' tall person. Well, I'm 5'8" and when I put the platen arm on to see where it fell, it was way too tall, so I brought it down to my size. Obviously I had to adjust the diagonal supports, too. I think I placed that shelf such that I can slide a tupperware thing under it.

Aaaaand real quick before I go, here's a shot of the shirt platen. (At the time this picture was taken, I'd only put 4 of the 8 small wood pieces on.) I heavily modified how this is assembled. I created a jig to use with a drill press to ensure that each 1/2" hole was in the same spot along one axis for those small wood pieces, and the 2x4 platen arm. I then fed a 1/2" hex bolt (the instructions called for a 3/8" bolt--asinine) through all three pieces, glued and screwed the small wood pieces into place, thus ensuring that a) the fit of the platen to the arm would be snug and b) that everything would line up when it was go time.

If you ever try to build this, understand that their instructions for the shirt platen DO NOT WORK as they are--you'll need to refigure them to ensure accurate results!

-P.

I'll try to update again later if I have time. The press is already further along than this.