Rosin Press: Information Thread

[Pigeons420]

Hey PITA!!

I know you, you're that guy from the 420 Magazine!!

What's up dude??? Can't wait to see some of your rosin!!

 

[Major PITA]

Hey PITA!!

I know you, you're that guy from the 420 Magazine!!

What's up dude??? Can't wait to see some of your rosin!!

Thanks Pigeon! This is right up my alley. I love DIY and I will have to process a bunch of produce quickly. I love the idea of another form of concentrate that doesn't use solvents!

 

[Pigeons420]

I feel you, Holmes!

Using cannabis is something we're going to be doing for a long time. Why not make it as healthy as possible? I can't wait to create something that will suit my needs and produce beautiful product.

Good luck with your quest!

 

[Gorgar]

Would anyone care to discuss the pros and cons of the various prebuilt rosin press models available now or even early next year? I'm looking for suggestions for personal use only. If anything semi portable is available that would be lovely. I'd hate to have to explain to anyone why I have a large press bolted to a table somewhere in my home. Maybe I can lie and say it's to press my cross-stitch work flat. Like REAL flat.

I'm new to rosin and sometimes pro DIY (I built my COB fixtures), but I decided to get the High5 press and have used it for a couple of weeks now.

I ended up with it because I wanted something smaller and portable that would work and was willing to sacrifice the better efficiency that a higher tonnage press would provide. If I had more room and had the ability to move around a heavier and bulkier 10-20 ton press, I probably would have given that a lot more consideration.

Regarding the High5 press, it is the V2 version, although I don't think that they advertise it as such any more. There is/was a minor problem with the attachment of the top heat plate. It uses four screws to hold the plate to the geared piston (or whatever you call it), but the holes are slightly misaligned so that only two opposing screws can be used. It works fine with only the two screws.

I notified the vendor who really did not offer a solution after I submitted some pictures, and then noticed a price drop for these units on their website. Perhaps the machining is/was off for this batch of presses and they are trying to clear them out...I don't know.

Anyway, the press is nice and works fine. I've been saving the pucks and will use them the next time that my wife asks me to make some more butter. I haven't anchored the press to a table yet with clamps, but that should help a little bit.

Good luck in whatever route you go!

 

[Fuzznutter]

I'm new to rosin and sometimes pro DIY (I built my COB fixtures), but I decided to get the High5 press and have used it for a couple of weeks now.

I ended up with it because I wanted something smaller and portable that would work and was willing to sacrifice the better efficiency that a higher tonnage press would provide. If I had more room and had the ability to move around a heavier and bulkier 10-20 ton press, I probably would have given that a lot more consideration.

Regarding the High5 press, it is the V2 version, although I don't think that they advertise it as such any more. There is/was a minor problem with the attachment of the top heat plate. It uses four screws to hold the plate to the geared piston (or whatever you call it), but the holes are slightly misaligned so that only two opposing screws can be used. It works fine with only the two screws.

I notified the vendor who really did not offer a solution after I submitted some pictures, and then noticed a price drop for these units on their website. Perhaps the machining is/was off for this batch of presses and they are trying to clear them out...I don't know.

Anyway, the press is nice and works fine. I've been saving the pucks and will use them the next time that my wife asks me to make some more butter. I haven't anchored the press to a table yet with clamps, but that should help a little bit.

Good luck in whatever route you go!

Thanks! I like that it can be used without bolting down. Less thrilled the vendor seems okay with subpar quality, but not so much to rule it out without a look. Then I went to its website and clicked on it to learn more. At first glance I liked the price point. Then I saw all the purchase options: Enail coils; hybrid, titanium, ceramic, and quartz nails; and BANGERS?! WHAT?! And why would a person need extra plates and heaters? Is it gonna break often? I don't get it. I'm sorry, I'm so confused!

 

[Gorgar]

Then I saw all the purchase options: Enail coils; hybrid, titanium, ceramic, and quartz nails; and BANGERS?! WHAT?! And why would a person need extra plates and heaters? Is it gonna break often? I don't get it. I'm sorry, I'm so confused!

Haha, yea...it's confusing if you're new to all of this. The enails/nails/bangers are for something else. They are not for pressing. The extra plates and heaters are nice if you need something in the future or maybe want to DIY. I just got the base unit with the included round plates.

 

[Fuzznutter]

Haha, yea...it's confusing if you're new to all of this. The enails/nails/bangers are for something else. They are not for pressing. The extra plates and heaters are nice if you need something in the future or maybe want to DIY. I just got the base unit with the included round plates.

Ahhh. That's all good to know. Thank you! I've bookmarked the High5 as a maybe. Anyone else have experience with the High5 or one of its competitors?

 

[Twox]

Soooo..... got any pics of this press Gorgar? I would love to see some shots.. The pics on the site are low quality... They have it at $299 right now so I might jump on one. What size plates did you get? I like the 2×4 plate but I'm kinda unsure what would work best..

 

[Major PITA]

Any advice for my first press? My initial setup will be a 12 ton shop press with 1.5" x 1.5" plates.
Best temperature to try? 120?
How long? 3 sec?
How much to press at once? 0.5g? 1.0g?
I do have coffee filters but was thinking of just using a parchment paper "package". Y/N?
Tips? Techniques? Gottchas?

I also have a large bench-mounted shop vice I want to try and see if it works.

 

[Gorgar]

Soooo..... got any pics of this press Gorgar? I would love to see some shots.. The pics on the site are low quality... They have it at $299 right now so I might jump on one. What size plates did you get? I like the 2×4 plate but I'm kinda unsure what would work best..

Maybe I'll post a couple of pics in a day or two. Right now it's in a low lit area of the basement on a crappy work table. But honestly, it's just an arbor vise with a temp control box and some heating plates.

I got the 3 inch circular plates and they seem to work fine. I think that I just liked the idea of circular plates better with the way that the rosin spreads out and around.

 

[Gorgar]

Anyone else have experience with the High5 or one of its competitors?

There's a Youtube video of a guy using the High5 press, although I think it's the V1 version. Just go there and use the appropriate search terms. I don't want it to look like I'm shilling for them, but if you can't find the video PM me and I'll see if I can dig it up. Just be warned that the guy in the video rambles on a lot.

 

[Gorgar]

Any advice for my first press? My initial setup will be a 12 ton shop press with 1.5" x 1.5" plates.
Best temperature to try? 120?
How long? 3 sec?
How much to press at once? 0.5g? 1.0g?
I do have coffee filters but was thinking of just using a parchment paper "package". Y/N?
Tips? Techniques? Gottchas?

I also have a large bench-mounted shop vice I want to try and see if it works.

Major, I saw this earlier but did not know if you were asking me or some of the experienced pressers. I'm a total newb, but I'll tell you what works for me so far...but I haven't really experimented.

I'm pressing at 325 F (or at least that's what I set the heat controller to). That's probably on the pretty hot side but that's where I started and I've been happy with the quality of the product. I'll have to try a lower temp and see if it makes a difference to me.

But I've only got a 1 ton press compared to what you are setting up, so I would imagine you'd get 'good' results at a lower temp. How much? I got no idea. Peek around the FC site since I think there's a more active group on this topic.

Your plate area is smaller than mine, so you should get a higher 'pounds per square inch' of pressure simply because you have a smaller plate area to distribute the force over.

So for now, I'm at 325 F for maybe 10 or so seconds.

I did not weigh out anything so I don't know the weight. All I can say is I started out with a smaller size piece and moved it up a little. But I'd guess it's closer to your lower number. See what your plate area can handle.

I've just been using folded parchment paper.

The best tip that I could give you if you are going to use parchment paper is to get a tool/scraper that has a little ball on the end.

Good luck!

 

[Canyon]

Fuzz,
There are new products and repurposed ones coming to market all the time. The 'Hi Five' looks like it should do the job. I am not that sure that there is that much need for extreme pressure. I have what I need so I have not kept up with what is available.

I have played around with this toy for about a year when I had spare material. This one is very old. There are new ones on the market. This one has plates that are aluminum and 6X8X3/4.

I am still trying to find the best way to get good clean yields. The last batch I wadded up about 5g of small buds in a square of paint strainer cloth and pressed them some to heat them until worm. Then I worked the pucks into smaller balls with the strainer cloth and placed them in parchment and pressed. The yield was good and clean.

After the final pressing the screen is embedded in the puck. I froze them and some 190 proof and soaked the pucks over night. I stirred it up and poured off the alcohol. Next I tried vacuuming of the alcohol with another toy. I managed to over boil it a few times and lost at least 10%. I recovered about 1g from what would probably have been less than an ounce of buds.

Whatever is left in the pucks is going to get soaked in alcohol for a day or two at room temperature, covered. The only water that should be in it would be in the alcohol. I am kind of hopeful that there will not be much oil left. I am looking for where it is just not worth chasing the last of it.

Temperature, time, moisture and I suppose pressure are the variables. You really have to play around until you get things fine tuned.If the temperatureis too close to the boiling point of water, the extract tends to be thin and hard to deal with. You are probably going to find good results between 220 and 275. Too high and things start smelling scorched.

You will probably have better luck with buds that are just a little too wet to smoke.

Best
canyon

 

[SweetSue]

All these toys to play with.

 

[BrixKlinger]

Major, I'd be real surprised if you got anything out of below about 160f. At 180 so far the product comes out very waxy and dry, low yield, whereas between 195-210f i'm getting sappy golden terpy squirts of yeildom. I think pressing kief the temp should be lowered but i'm not sure yet, very much working toward that.

 

[HizzyB]

Any advice for my first press? My initial setup will be a 12 ton shop press with 1.5" x 1.5" plates.
Best temperature to try? 120?
How long? 3 sec?
How much to press at once? 0.5g? 1.0g?
I do have coffee filters but was thinking of just using a parchment paper "package". Y/N?
Tips? Techniques? Gottchas?

I also have a large bench-mounted shop vice I want to try and see if it works.

You can get the one i have for $550 I think
I paid $600 but you know how it goes
Prices drop
Not sure I can post the guys company name

Someone who knows if I can let me know and or you all could PM me and get it that way
I don't wanna break the rules if there is one?


Sent from my iPhone using 420

 

[Gorgar]

Soooo..... got any pics of this press Gorgar? I would love to see some shots..

First, thanks to Canyon and Brix for giving us some guidelines on temperature.

As far as pics, I found the two that I already took of the plates and the control box. The only other part is the press frame...and it's not very interesting. I hope that this will do.

This shot shows the plates. Notice that only got the two side screws are affixed (I know, you can only see one but trust me, there's also an opposing screw attached). I don't know if the machining is off on the heat plate itself or the mount on the end of the arbor. The top and bottom plates are not perfectly aligned with one another in this photo, but the bottom plate floats and you could slide it into place. I was too lazy to tip it over to see if the bottom plate could be tightened down as I don't feel the need to.

The two holes you see in the front of the plates are the bore holes, in which the cartridge heaters are inserted. There is also a lead attached to the back side of each plate that is probably used to measure the plate's surface temperature.

This is a pic of the temp control panel and it shows two temperatures. The green LCD is the set point/surface temperature (I know, it's too high) and I think that the red LCD is the core/heater temperature. When you turn the unit on, the core temperature will keep rising and then stabilize for a while. It then will start dropping. I'm guessing that it's rising when the surface temperature is calling for heat and the heaters are being powered and once the demand is met they turn off. But I really don't know because when I asked the vendor he told me that they were working on putting a manual together, and I'm still waiting for it.

I hope that helps.

 

[BrixKlinger]

dragons

 

[Major PITA]

I got a pretty good start on a DIY press setup.

I started with a piece of 3/4" x 6" x 12" 6011 aluminum bar stock ($15). I cut, drilled and tapped a few holes to mount them to my press and to accept the temperature probe from the UDS I made a few years ago. It is difficult to see in the photo, but there is a hole along the front edge of the left plate. That's where the PID sensor screws in to read how hot they are.

I polished up the business side of the press plates to make sure they are smooth and flat.

Since a hydraulic press will destroy 3/4" aluminum pretty quickly, I added a 1" piece of steel (arbor plates) to backup each piece of aluminum. They are all sandwiched together to stay aligned. The piece on top with the wingnut is a temporary solution. It clamps to the press so the top plate lifts up when the arbor retracts. I have something a little more elegant in mind if this pans out.

This is everything setup and ready to run. Sorry for the crappy photos.

This is the PID I made for my UDS. The temperature probe plugs in with the yellow plug. It lets me set any temperature up to 1000F degrees (it reads in centigrade). The small 3-position toggle switch lets me use or bypass the PID. I can turn heat: always on, always off, or with PID control. The bottom number is my desired heat setting. The top number is the current plate temperature. Up and down arrow buttons let me raise or lower the desired temp'.

The only thing left to add are the heaters. I have two 300W heating elements on order. I'll drill two more holes for them, one in the top plate and one in the bottom. They also plug into the PID box and it should allow me to dial in any temperature I want. $9 for both heaters. Total investment = $25 and an afternoon playing around. I think I spent about $30 to make the PID. It is good for loads up to about 1100 watts.

Maybe I'll name it "Rosalin". I can't wait to give it a try!

 

[Gorgar]

Lookin' good Major! Please say high to 'Rosalin' for me. Great job!!!