Good report Ausie!
I've been looking into Russ' press for awhile now. I'll be ordering mine soon! Originally I was gonna spend the big bucks again and get another Apple press. But I just don't use a press enough to justify the high cost (and I'd rather spend the moeny on other new goodies!
)
Russ' design looks like the perfect press for the home user. Portable enough if need be to take on a hunting trip, but far easier to use and more versatile than the current "portable" presses.