Im going to use my shop press, Its a no brainer for me; dual use for other stuff. I have essentially a stainless steel tray with 4" sides to press on, Its something to the effect of 2'x 6' and a end pan drain. Its long enough that I will be able to press on, then slide out the stacks if I want on either side of the press so I can build the next mash stack as the other is under the press. I have a 50 ton shop press so I think I can smush apple mush with easy. I have oak blocking and should be good to go. I think as mentioned the grinding is the more important part. If I did not have the press I have I would look at a harbor freight or northern tool press. Hell you could build and arch and use a floor jack to to press up, anything will work.
I started with the plan to make a scatter and have some parts, but after seeing how much better the grinder or food processor like systems work and the ease to make one... Im going to make one of those. Scatters make chunks and a grinder makes a mash. Mine will be side fed to help prevent juice from running down on the motor but will be tube hopper fed the same essentially, Simple to make Direct drive off a motor.... scrap stainless steel parts for the rest.
something along the lines of below but gravity fed at an angle so the motor is not below but off to the side, fed off a sorting table, post tube wash.
