20sackzack
Member
Just wanted to share some pics of my custom squish rig. Almost a year old and still pressing strong. Flower is citrus sap from this years outdoor
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20sackzack
Member
Can someone recommend a good but fairly cheap way to read temp on my blocks. So far I've just been using trial and error to adjust the temps on my soldering irons for a good balance of terp retention and yield. I'd like to know where I'm actually at though temp wise
_tessarecting
ஓ
Use a laser thermometer
I use type K thermocouples placed on the plates with Kapton tape. Once you get the set point deviation you shouldn't need to take temp readings very often. I made a chart from 175-225f. When I did this I noticed the temps where hotter with the plates closed.
I use one of these for reading temp...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HYELEC-MS65...205170?hash=item1c768f9372:g:8fcAAOSwa~BYPltP
Works great and it's under $20. I compare it with my thermal and this one.....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-foo...573881?hash=item281b4ab9b9:g:HI8AAOSwMmBVtjkB
and they are all consistent.
To adjust the temp, I use a standard fan speed control switch...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hydrolux-Va...604926?hash=item1c23da79fe:g:GrIAAMXQO21Ryz58
Instead of soldering irons, I used ceramic cartridge heaters...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/uxcell-110V...242716?hash=item51eccd845c:g:NUIAAOSwmLlX9IYL
YoFound it a lot easier to dry then freeze my trim, the dry ice extract with a 160iu bubble bag. Collect kief, fill my 2.5x4.5 25iu rosin baggie 5.5g full, fold top, and press at 225* for best reaults. About to hit my 350 baggie mark this weekend. Paying 1.00 a bag when buying 100 at a time. I haven't had a blow out in probably 300 bags now. 5.5 I found is the sweet spot, more and your asking for tears.
1st pic is darlins net trim/popcorn corn, dry ice extracted kief run
2nd pis is a mix machine trim dry ice extracted kief (darlins net, chaos, gg4, god bud, strawberries n cream, mob boss)
3rd pic is chaos flower run
1st pic is darlins net trim/popcorn corn, dry ice extracted kief run
2nd pis is a mix machine trim dry ice extracted kief (darlins net, chaos, gg4, god bud, strawberries n cream, mob boss)
3rd pic is chaos flower run
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honeyoil
Member
Yeah! Just finished the entire thread. Great info here. I am putting together my parts list, and soon I will be assembling my press. One change I will make is to use Stainless Steel plates instead of Aluminum. I am also going to try to rig the press so it can be flopped on it's side. I will share my progress here.
Praises to Lapides, Sunfire, Wierd, HMK, GW.
Praises to Lapides, Sunfire, Wierd, HMK, GW.
B4URTIME
Member
Yeah! Just finished the entire thread. Great info here. I am putting together my parts list, and soon I will be assembling my press. One change I will make is to use Stainless Steel plates instead of Aluminum. I am also going to try to rig the press so it can be flopped on it's side. I will share my progress here.
Praises to Lapides, Sunfire, Wierd, HMK, GW.
Aluminum has so much better heat transfer then stainless steel and its much lighter, I can't see any reason why one would go with stainless steel plates over aluminum. Cost more weigh more and far less thermal conductivity. To each their own though
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WOW!!! Temperature and humidity of your room.... Temperature and humidity of your room.
I say that twice so no one would miss it.
I have been pressing rosin as long as most and I have had more than a few DIY presses along the way. From hair straighteners to shop milled plates and a few in between.
Still, with all those prototypes and with all the different strains and techniques I tried.... I was still getting very low yields. I was getting about 0.4 to 0.5 gram of rosin from 7 grams of flowers (Popcorn buds. No trim or leaves). That's about 6%. Everyone else seemed to be getting 10% or better.
The press was in my way in my shop so I moved it upstairs and put it in my den.
Same press. Same strain pot from the same jar. Same everything except the location.
First press, I got an amazing .47g from 4 grams of flowers. I was confused.
I have confirmed it 2 more times, now. With everything the same except the location, I am getting 10% to 12% yield on every press.
I would have never imagined that the location would make so much difference but after 3 tests, I am coming up 10+%. For the past year, in my shop, I don't think I ever hit 7%.
Temp and RH in my shop: 74F 35%
Temp and RH in my den: 68F 38%
Not much difference on the map but it sure changed my yield drastically. Just thought I would share that.
I say that twice so no one would miss it.
I have been pressing rosin as long as most and I have had more than a few DIY presses along the way. From hair straighteners to shop milled plates and a few in between.
Still, with all those prototypes and with all the different strains and techniques I tried.... I was still getting very low yields. I was getting about 0.4 to 0.5 gram of rosin from 7 grams of flowers (Popcorn buds. No trim or leaves). That's about 6%. Everyone else seemed to be getting 10% or better.
The press was in my way in my shop so I moved it upstairs and put it in my den.
Same press. Same strain pot from the same jar. Same everything except the location.
First press, I got an amazing .47g from 4 grams of flowers. I was confused.
I have confirmed it 2 more times, now. With everything the same except the location, I am getting 10% to 12% yield on every press.
I would have never imagined that the location would make so much difference but after 3 tests, I am coming up 10+%. For the past year, in my shop, I don't think I ever hit 7%.
Temp and RH in my shop: 74F 35%
Temp and RH in my den: 68F 38%
Not much difference on the map but it sure changed my yield drastically. Just thought I would share that.
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wow thats crazy man, and good for you.
Makes me wonder what the environment is for most people. Does anyone monitor the environment in their pressing room?
I spend a fortune making sure the environment is perfect in the grow room and the curing tent, but never gave much thought to the press being in my shop with the furnace, and that being the hottest and driest part of the house.
Sure made a huge difference to me. I just pressed breakfast and got well over 10%.... again. Who would have guessed.
I spend a fortune making sure the environment is perfect in the grow room and the curing tent, but never gave much thought to the press being in my shop with the furnace, and that being the hottest and driest part of the house.
Sure made a huge difference to me. I just pressed breakfast and got well over 10%.... again. Who would have guessed.
interesting.. i know im taking notes on flower moisture content and RH, tried squishing a few flowers with my new press but think they're a bit dry, i put a Boveda 62 in a few of the bags i want to squish, got 3-4 p's i want to squish in the next week or so....
so here's the new press.. (sorry for the sideways pic)
i really like this press so far, it was $119 and was super easy to put together, that was one of my worries with minimal tools atm i didnt want a real DIY project just to assemble the press... super easy took 15 mins tops... only thing is the spot where the press attaches to the stand its a bit wobbly, idk if thats usual (and why they say mount it)... ill need to re-tighten when i get a proper set of allen wrenches... if i needed to buy another hydraulic press the DAKE's are really nice looking, those things would be my first choice..
..got a good deal on the 710snob 3x5 plates w/ controller for $280, also he still has the plates up on his site for $200 w/o the controller (altogether there $380), and with the press, bags, accessories it comes out to around $500
...and on to the squishing, found that the plates are off in the temps a bit more than advertised (30-70), there more like 70-100 degrees off... did a few squishes last night with a flower that doesnt look the nest but has a crazy amount of kief.. Sour D x Sunset Sherbet, pressed at 320 on the controller, prob like 220ish on the plates, will try to heat it up a bit more for flower... havent scraped and checked yield yet but it looks good... quality it good
so here's the new press.. (sorry for the sideways pic)
i really like this press so far, it was $119 and was super easy to put together, that was one of my worries with minimal tools atm i didnt want a real DIY project just to assemble the press... super easy took 15 mins tops... only thing is the spot where the press attaches to the stand its a bit wobbly, idk if thats usual (and why they say mount it)... ill need to re-tighten when i get a proper set of allen wrenches... if i needed to buy another hydraulic press the DAKE's are really nice looking, those things would be my first choice..
..got a good deal on the 710snob 3x5 plates w/ controller for $280, also he still has the plates up on his site for $200 w/o the controller (altogether there $380), and with the press, bags, accessories it comes out to around $500
...and on to the squishing, found that the plates are off in the temps a bit more than advertised (30-70), there more like 70-100 degrees off... did a few squishes last night with a flower that doesnt look the nest but has a crazy amount of kief.. Sour D x Sunset Sherbet, pressed at 320 on the controller, prob like 220ish on the plates, will try to heat it up a bit more for flower... havent scraped and checked yield yet but it looks good... quality it good
quick question...
how long you guys pressing flower for? (and kief?)
I've been doing like 45sec-1min for flower at about 220-250 but dont want to be pressing too much to burn off terps and lower quality or do it too quickly and have left overs...
how much flower per 3x5 packet?
I found 7.5grams to be a good spot for me, any more and i dont see too much of an increase in yield, basically 7.5 and 9 look pretty similar.. im lightly breaking up flower on a trim tray, de-steming, packing into 3x5 packet with an inch or so left to fold over... try to pre-press it flat with my hand... then into the press for 45-60 secs...
i tried 10 grams with the packet sitting upright and had a blowout... seems like laying the packets on there side is best...
Im pressing with 320-350 on the controller... not entirely sure the plate temps but ive read 210+ with the digital thermometer, gotta get a metal meat one..
anyone got any recommendations or want to share there process, i would appreciate it...
how long you guys pressing flower for? (and kief?)
I've been doing like 45sec-1min for flower at about 220-250 but dont want to be pressing too much to burn off terps and lower quality or do it too quickly and have left overs...
how much flower per 3x5 packet?
I found 7.5grams to be a good spot for me, any more and i dont see too much of an increase in yield, basically 7.5 and 9 look pretty similar.. im lightly breaking up flower on a trim tray, de-steming, packing into 3x5 packet with an inch or so left to fold over... try to pre-press it flat with my hand... then into the press for 45-60 secs...
i tried 10 grams with the packet sitting upright and had a blowout... seems like laying the packets on there side is best...
Im pressing with 320-350 on the controller... not entirely sure the plate temps but ive read 210+ with the digital thermometer, gotta get a metal meat one..
anyone got any recommendations or want to share there process, i would appreciate it...
Aluminum has so much better heat transfer then stainless steel and its much lighter, I can't see any reason why one would go with stainless steel plates over aluminum. Cost more weigh more and far less thermal conductivity. To each their own though
Yes aluminum has far better conductivity, lighter, less expensive, and easier to machine.
Lots of people are under the impression stainless is some how like copper and possess sanitary properties while they don't realize it's the mirror polish finish that gives it sanitary properties but in a defensive fashion, it just has less micro pits for virus and bacteria to hide.
There's also platen and press sellers out there telling people straight up lies to sell more gear. They lie about the physical properties and also act like stainless is some how scratch resistant. Then theY say aluminum produces a "dangerous off gassing" which is a complete lie. 304 stainless and the 319 aluminum we use off Gass at the Same rate and it's not harmful. What the idiots mean to say is a "toxic fume" which won't happen with aluminum until you literally boil it. Any metallurgy expert will tell you this I've read it on countless forums researching this long ago. Fucking shady snakes but so many people don't think for them selves and believe them. This isn't super thin aluminum foil being put on a 500F grill then being man handled with metal tongs. All the scare talk about foil has people all excited yet if one looks into, the Canadians have especially put out a lot of research on the topic and we ingest far more aluminum through the actual food as its in the soil everywhere.
Carver, a very old lab grade hot press company has always used primarily aluminum platens with a safe rating up to 500F. Most ALL hot press companies use aluminum. Mixtl has a steel thin skin on the top of their platens just for better compressive yield strength. Not needed for our purposes. If you use atleast 6061 aluminum but 7075 and 319 are close to 20k psi compressive yield strength...more than enough.
It really upsets to me to see the snakes win. Slapping stickers on chinese imports with 400% markup and telling straight up lies to diss on aluminum in attempt to sell their chinese stainless gear.
Does this controller look familiar lol?
http://www.weselltech.com/rosin-press/show/295.html
Root ney started machining that different style of platen you have in america. He says china ripped him off. But the controllers and box are the EXACT SAME and he doesn't deny it either.
There was some one spamming those 3x5 sets with controller from china for 150 delivered on facebook a little bit ago.
Pressed some pineapple kush outdoor got 16 % nice light color super terpy.
