GAXIOLA-STYLE STOVE-TOP TORTILLA PRESS
SHOP DRAWING — ALL VIEWS — WELD CALLOUTS — BILL OF MATERIALS
A36 MILD STEEL~20–22 LB
PLATES: 12″ × 12″ × ¼″ · TORTILLA: 25 cm / 9.8″
A — FRONT ELEVATION (CLOSED)
B — SIDE ELEVATION (OPEN ~90°)
C — TOP PLAN (TOP PLATE, CLOSED)
D — HINGE DETAIL + BILL OF MATERIALS
| # | ITEM | QTY | DIM / NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bottom plate A36 | 1 pc | 12″×12″×¼″ |
| 2 | Top plate A36 | 1 pc | 12″×12″×¼″ |
| 3 | Flat bar frame (top only) | 4 pcs | 1″×¼″ flat bar, mitered or butted |
| 4 | Hinge pin ½″ round rod | 1 pc | ~14″ long |
| 5 | Hinge barrel ¾″ OD tube | 6 pcs | 1.5″ each |
| 6 | Handle rod ¾″ | 2 pcs | 8″–10″ each, one per side |
| 7 | Hardwood grip dowel | 2 pcs | 4″–5″, bored to fit over rod |
WELD CALLOUTS — ALL WELDS 3/16″ FILLET — E7018 STICK OR ER70S-6 MIG
W1Flat bar frame → top plate
Both faces, all 4 sides
W2Frame corner joints
Fillet, grind flush if mitered
W3Hinge barrels → bottom plate
3 barrels, both ends each
W4Hinge barrels → top plate frame
3 barrels, both ends each
W5Handle rods → frame rail
Full circumference fillet
W6Pin end tacks (optional)
Light tack only — do not trap pin
⚠ INSERT HINGE PIN THROUGH ALL BARRELS BEFORE WELDING ANY BARREL. TACK → VERIFY LID CLOSES FLAT → FULL WELD.
FABRICATION NOTES: Press sits directly on stove grates — no feet required · Flat bar frame on top plate only (prevents warp, adds edge mass) · Handles project sideways from frame rail, one each side · Two ¼″ plates ≈ 20 lb before hardware · Season all food-contact surfaces like cast iron · NO paint · NO zinc · NO galvanized material anywhere
FABRICATION & USE INSTRUCTIONS
STEP-BY-STEP · GAXIOLA-STYLE STOVE-TOP TORTILLA PRESS
PHASE 1
▣ Plate Preparation
1
Cut both plates to exactly 12″ × 12″ square. Have the steel supplier cut to size, or use a plasma table or cold saw.
2
Check both plates for flatness on a surface plate or flat table. A36 can have a slight mill bow — straighten before welding.
3
Deburr all cut edges with a file or angle grinder. Round all four outer corners to a minimum 1/8″ radius.
4
Mark the rear edge of each plate (hinge side) with soapstone or marker so you do not mix them up.
PHASE 2
⬜ Flat Bar Frame (Top Plate Only)
1
Cut flat bar stock (1″ × ¼″) for all four sides of the frame. Miter corners at 45° for a clean look, or butt-joint them — front and rear bars run full 12″, side bars fill between them.
2
Stand each bar on its 1″ edge around the perimeter of the top plate. The flat bar stands 1″ tall above the plate surface.
3
Tack all four corners first. Check square with a framing square before continuing.
4
VERIFY: Frame is square, flush to plate edge on all four sides, and all bars are standing vertically on edge.
5
Weld W1 — fillet both the inside and outside face of each bar to the plate.
6
Weld W2 — corner joints. Grind flush if mitered.
PHASE 3
⟷ Handles
1
Cut two handle rods (¾″ round rod or tube) to 8″–10″ each.
2
Position one handle on each side rail of the flat bar frame, projecting outward. Center the handle vertically on the frame rail height.
3
Tack both handles. Step back — verify they are level and symmetrical side to side.
4
Weld W5 — full circumference fillet where the rod meets the frame rail. This is the primary load joint.
5
Bore or drill the center of each hardwood dowel grip so it slides snugly over the rod end. Secure with a cross-pin, screw, or high-temp epoxy. Grip sits at the outer end, away from the flame.
PHASE 4
◐ Hinge Assembly
⚠ INSERT THE HINGE PIN BEFORE WELDING ANY BARREL. This is the most important step in the entire build.
1
Cut 6 barrel sections from ¾″ OD tube, each 1.5″ long. Deburr the ends — the pin must slide through freely.
2
Slide all 6 barrels onto the ½″ hinge pin rod to confirm free fit with no binding.
3
Lay the bottom plate rear-edge-up on a flat surface. Place 3 barrel sections evenly spaced along the rear edge, leaving gaps between them.
4
Align the top plate rear-edge-to-rear-edge with the bottom plate. Place the remaining 3 barrels in the gaps.
5
Slide the hinge pin through all 6 barrels simultaneously. Adjust spacing until each barrel seats tight against its plate.
6
VERIFY: With pin inserted, close the top plate flat against the bottom plate. Both pressing faces must be parallel with no gap.
7
Tack weld all barrels — 3 to bottom plate (W3), 3 to top plate frame (W4).
8
VERIFY: Lid opens and closes freely. No binding. Closes completely flat.
9
Full weld W3 and W4.
10
VERIFY again after full weld: lid still opens and closes freely. If it binds, the welds pulled — grind back slightly and re-check.
11
Optional: small tack at each pin end (W6) to prevent sliding out. Light tack only — do not trap the pin.
PHASE 5
✓ Final Finishing
1
Grind all weld spatter from the pressing faces of both plates.
2
File or grind all outside corners to a smooth radius. Run your hand over every edge — nothing should be sharp.
3
Wipe all surfaces with acetone or lacquer thinner to remove oil, cutting fluid, and residue.
4
Do not sand the pressing faces smooth. A slightly textured surface holds seasoning better.
5
Do not apply any paint, powder coat, or coating to any surface.
SEASON
🔥 Season Before First Use
⚠ Perform first seasoning outdoors or in a well-ventilated space. Expect heavy smoke on first burn-in.
1
Wipe a thin, even coat of high smoke-point oil (flaxseed, vegetable, or lard) over all pressing surfaces. Wipe off excess — thin coat seasons better than thick.
2
Place the press closed on a gas burner. Turn heat to medium.
3
Heat until oil smokes, then smoke subsides — about 10–15 minutes. Plates turn gray → brown → black.
4
Turn off heat. Cool completely. Repeat oiling and heating 2–3 more times for a durable initial seasoning.
DAILY OPERATING PROCEDURE
1Preheat
Close on burner. Heat 10–15 min. Target: 300–375°F. Use IR thermometer.
2Oil
Lightly wipe both faces with oil. First tortilla of each session only.
3Load
Ball dough to ~2–2.5″. Open press. Place slightly toward hinge side.
4Press
Close using handle. Firm hand pressure 3–5 seconds.
5Remove
Open. Tortilla ~9.8″. Transfer immediately to hot comal to finish.
6Repeat
Re-oil every 5–6 tortillas or when they start sticking.
7Store
Wipe faces with lightly oiled cloth while warm. Store closed.
⚠ SAFETY
• The ENTIRE steel body gets hot — handles, hinge, frame, all of it. Use heat-resistant gloves.
• Use an IR thermometer on first use to learn your stove’s behavior.
• Keep children away from the press while on or near a burner.
• Do not leave a preheated press unattended on a live flame.
• Verify the press is stable on grates before opening.
• Test cold before ever heating — open and close, confirm it sits flat.
FINISHED PRESS — WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
SEASONED A36 STEEL · OPEN POSITION ON GAS STOVE
CLOSED — ON BURNER
HINGE DETAIL
HANDLE + GRIP
WEIGHT
~20–22 lb
PLATES
12″ × 12″ × ¼″
MATERIAL
A36 Steel
TORTILLA
9.8″ / 25 cm
PREHEAT
10–15 min
TEMP
300–375°F
SEASONING
Like cast iron
HINGE
½″ pin, full width