Just got back from a brutal trip in the southern AT where I just about blew my knee out ;)

Anyway, I gotta charge the camera, but I'll take some pictures in a few.

Mark II worked great. Although I'll say this, it's not ideal if you don't have another drinking receptacle, because the SP 700 lid just doesn't fit tight enough.


I think the weight went up a little because of the materials I found on hand to make this "food safe" but, the good news is, with the right stuff, it could be made a fair bit lighter.

Pics in a bit.

Here we go. Weight of this version is 27.8g

Yes, I know, it's an increase, but this one is actually food-safe/non-toxic.

Weight can be reduced, and that will be the focus of the next version. For this version I just had to source materials that I knew were safe to use with hot liquids, and the carbon fiber press rod, was decidedly *not*. I tasted a brew I made with it, and it had a real poisonous taste.

The press rod from mark-II is the main weight gain here, it's kind of thick aluminum from an old percolator.

The reinforcement filter-plate is also from a percolator. I used stainless steel wire around the edges of the plate threaded through the filter screen to secure it, to the plate. Because the fit is very tight, without these anchors, the screen would separate from the plate when raising the assembly, causing damage to the screen.

The filter screen is a stock Bodum screen from a 12c press, easily acquired, and in my experience, these screens are many times better than the standard weave versions on other presses.


The whole thing is secured by a SS screw at the bottom.

I used this thing every day over the past week while out in some pretty nasty weather. I just heated water in the pot until it was just about to boil, threw a bunch of grind in and stirred. Then I covered it to steep with a heavy weight merino sock coozy around the pot. Coffee from this thing kept me sane under some crappy circumstances.

The stove I use is a RoF type wick stove made in the same style as Zelph's Fancee Feast, I just used a smaller diameter Al bottle so the aspect is more suited to the SP 700.

(deleted)

Edited by JoshuaJayG on 03/06/2010 20:40:40 MST.

While you were gone globetrotting I broke out a Mainstays press rod and screen that I had and tested its fit in my 700 and it fits perfectly! I haven't paid attention to the differences in the Bodum/Wally World screens, but my coffee turned out pretty good. Now I also have to find a different rod since mine is still the solid steel rod that comes with a typical press. Then I will see about eliminating the bottom plate to the screen assembly. Nice idea! I never thought about trying a typical press assembly in my Trek 700 until you brought it up. I am sure that a thin piece of aluminum will work great for a rod. Now for a reasonable storage system...

P.S. I have a Mainstays (Chinese) press because I broke my Bodum carafe and the entire Mainstays press was cheaper (clearance) than the Bodum carafe plus shipping. I just used the carafe from the Chinese press. ;)

Very cool, I generally stick to instant on the trail. This is far more sophisticated. :)

If you're looking for a lighter replacement for the rod, check mcmaster.com. They have tubes up to 9/32" (outer diameter) in 3003 AL, which is commonly used in contact with food (as is 1100). I'm sure they also have tubes in stainless if you want to go that route.

Yep, I've got a number of presses that I've just replaced the screen on. The beaker sizes are pretty universal.

The issue I had using the standard press plate with screen was that I didn't get a tight enough fit in the SP700 to ensure a sediment/ground free cup.

Just be careful with the rods/press plates you use, I've been schooled by people in the know that you can't just use any random Aluminum you find. Apparently Al used for industrial applications can have all kinds of foul coatings and impurities that can be bad for us.

Devin,

Thanks man, that's very helpful.


On another note, for what it's worth, I checked out the JetBoil french press. The filter assembly itself looks like crap to me, it's just a SS plate with alot of little holes in it. However, the rod itself is mega light, and screws apart..

I'm thinking about making mark III with a rod off of the JB-FP, but I need to get a new lid for my SP700 or make one from Ti foil.

Javan....the JB press is actually quite sturdy. I've had it for years. Found it best to turn the press downward as to put a cap over the grounds. I know the lid is a little heavy, but with that plastic lip, it turns your pot into a nice mug. If you do change out for a differnet lid and depending the height of your pot, know that you can unscrew the rod after you press the coffee so your lid sits flush. It works with SP700, MLD850 and SP MiniSolo that I know of. It would be nice to hear how its working for you. Cheers

Sheila, thanks for the reply.. Had I known about the JB press before I started on this project, I probably would have just adapted that in the first place. I've been using the press I made on all my trips recently, and while it's not perfect (by any means) it's better than not having a press.

The issue of course, is not having a separate cup to drink out of, so my next coffee related project is to convert the double walled SP ti mug into a press before the cold weather rolls around again.

Good enough. How does your press do on keeping out the grounds? Until I found out that I could turn the JB press upside down and then press, I had lots of stuff floating. I think the plastic screen holder allows a little give to seal better.
Anyway the JBFP is only 25gms on my scale.
Though this may be backasswards, but when I was looking at lighter cooking options, I looked for a pot that the JBFP would fit which could accommodate my FP addiction. :)
I am impressed with your press though. Good Job!