Thanks! Do you have it mounted in a shop press? If so, what type (if you don’t mind me asking)?
Also, same question as above about the plates heating up evenly. Do they heat up as evenly as your other plates do?
Last edited:
-
As of today ICMag has his own Discord server. In this Discord server you can chat, talk with eachother, listen to music, share stories and pictures...and much more. Join now and let's grow together! Join ICMag Discord here! More details in this thread here: here.
Thanks! Do you have it mounted in a shop press? If so, what type (if you don’t mind me asking)?
Also, same question as above about the plates heating up evenly. Do they heat up as evenly as your other plates do?
The plates heat up very quickly and very close to the set number. I did an unboxing video on the last one I bought and used a contact thermometer to compare the temperatures on the PID to the actual temps and they were spot on. And, consistent from edge to edge.
I have never used a gauge. After a while, you get a feel for it and I imagine the gauge becomes less useful over time. It would be a cool addition but the cost can go high because the gauges themselves are quite expensive. Dab Press has recently paired certain pumps with gauges with some of their higher end units and the prices are very reasonable. $600.
https://dabpress.com/products/3x5-m...ne-strongway-hand-pump?variant=14168074649673
I had 2 Harbor Freight presses. The first was the small A-Frame press that I used for my first few home made presses (Including the Rock and Roll Rosin Machine. LMAO) And, the second was a 12 ton that I used with the 3x7 caged plates. Both presses worked fine. I think HF get a lot of bad press. Most of the stuff I buy there works as expected.
Not sure where you are but Dab Press also ships from Amazon warehouses in the USA so you can have your press in 2 days if you're an Amazon Prime member.
.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer all my questions. I appreciate all the help.
I’ll definitely be getting the DabPress plates from amazon.
Now you have me debating just getting the HF shop press.
I was going to get this one -
https://www.grainger.com/product/40...t8NZ_oh3u5D6RwomZ81MHVgC5z3x7FzRoClDIQAvD_BwE
It’s about 3x the price of the HF 12 ton, though. I want something that will last and be safe and Dabe makes top of the line equipment. But maybe I’d be better off just getting the HF press and spending $20 to upgrade the bolts, etc.
You never had any issue with your HF frame bending or anything?
Did you use it a lot, or was it more just an occasional thing? A guy at HF told me they weren’t really meant for repeated/daily use. More for hobby projects, etc.
Why not get an All-in-One so you don't have to buy a separate press? Plus, it takes up way less room. Are you pressing for profit or just for personal use?
Good to know, thanks!
We had a bigger Dake press at a place I used to work, which is what made me want to get one. Definitely high quality stuff.
Wha size plates do you have? I was planning on 3x5.
I shouldn't have any issues with getting enough pressure?
Mainly for me and friends/family/patients.
I’ve only come across a handful of all-in-ones that would be near the quality I could build one for the same price.
I was looking at the DabPress models and they are definitely tempting.
But with a number or them, they appear to have custom built hydraulic ram cylinders. I know DabPress sells the replacements but I worry about being able to source a replacement if he ever stopped making them for any reason. I also don’t know if the quality of the frame/welds/build (etc) would be as good as something like a Dabe press. They do look to be well built though.
With a good shop press it should last a long time and most parts are easily sourced and replaced if I ever need to. I also like that it had a pressure gauge so I know what pressure it’s at when things go well and have a better chance at repeating those results.
That Dabe press is only 36” tall x 23” wide so it shouldn’t take up too much room (but that’s not a big issue anyway).
Ringo, you got me looking into the all-in-one units. I thought I had my mind made up but now you have me second guessing my original plans... lol
I’m looking at this unit -
https://dabpress.com/products/dp-bj6t35-hydraulic-rosin-press-kit?variant=12174495645769
I like the 10 ton dabpress you posted but with a pump it would only be roughly $100 less than the Dabe press unit. So for that price I’d rather just go with the Dabe.
But the unit in the link above would be about $300 less, which is obviously more significant.
It’s a 6 ton unit with 3x5 plates. I like that the plates can be removed and mounted in a shop press (down the road if I so desired). I also like that it says you can upgrade to an 8 ton jack if you want.
My question (for anyone who can answer) is, would 6 tons be enough pressure for a 3x5 set of plates? It seems that most places recommend a 10-12 ton press for 3x5 plates. I really want to be able to press at low temperatures. I think I would probably be pressing in 2x4 bags. Or bottletech sometimes (I am new to working with a legit press)
Ringo - do you notice much difference in yield on your smaller 3x3 unit? Can you still press at low temperatures (like 180 or maybe less)? That is a big reason I decided to upgrade from my homemade bench vise unit. I can’t press at less than 200, and even at 200 I struggle at times. 220 is required often. I really want to get into pressing at lower temps for better flavor etc.
Also, what is the build quality of the dabpress frames like? Is it a solid unit? Or is it more along the lines of cheaper harbor freight quality items?
Sorry for all the questions.
I’m looking at this unit -
https://dabpress.com/products/dp-bj6t35-hydraulic-rosin-press-kit?variant=12174495645769
I like the 10 ton dabpress you posted but with a pump it would only be roughly $100 less than the Dabe press unit. So for that price I’d rather just go with the Dabe.
But the unit in the link above would be about $300 less, which is obviously more significant.
It’s a 6 ton unit with 3x5 plates. I like that the plates can be removed and mounted in a shop press (down the road if I so desired). I also like that it says you can upgrade to an 8 ton jack if you want.
My question (for anyone who can answer) is, would 6 tons be enough pressure for a 3x5 set of plates? It seems that most places recommend a 10-12 ton press for 3x5 plates. I really want to be able to press at low temperatures. I think I would probably be pressing in 2x4 bags. Or bottletech sometimes (I am new to working with a legit press)
Ringo - do you notice much difference in yield on your smaller 3x3 unit? Can you still press at low temperatures (like 180 or maybe less)? That is a big reason I decided to upgrade from my homemade bench vise unit. I can’t press at less than 200, and even at 200 I struggle at times. 220 is required often. I really want to get into pressing at lower temps for better flavor etc.
Also, what is the build quality of the dabpress frames like? Is it a solid unit? Or is it more along the lines of cheaper harbor freight quality items?
Sorry for all the questions.
Last edited:
In my opinion, all this tonnage is nonsense. At least for the size loads we are pressing. I get EXACTLY the same performance from my 3 ton as I do from my 12 ton. However, I usually press 2 gram pucks. I have pressed 7 gram pucks in this 3 ton and it worked great. But, that's more rosin that I use in a month and I like my rosin fresh.
I usually press 2 gram pucks and get 10% to 20% return depending on the quality of the pot. And a gram or so of this stuff seems to last forever. And, I am a heavy user.
I am sure the tonnage becomes important on the large commercial machines that press a quarter pound and more at a time. But, for these little 2 to 5 gram loads, my 3 tons gets it all.
Another thing. You'll find that when you over press, a number of bad things will happen. One, being the parchment will bleed through. Another is that after a certain point, you are just squeezing out plant matter and fats from the plant matter. Neither of which you want.
I would have gone with the one you linked to but I liked the shiny one. LOL I love this one. And, at only 369 bux, it's my favorite pick.
https://dabpress.com/products/3x3-d...e-driptech-intergrated?variant=19756462702665
.
I usually press 2 gram pucks and get 10% to 20% return depending on the quality of the pot. And a gram or so of this stuff seems to last forever. And, I am a heavy user.
I am sure the tonnage becomes important on the large commercial machines that press a quarter pound and more at a time. But, for these little 2 to 5 gram loads, my 3 tons gets it all.
Another thing. You'll find that when you over press, a number of bad things will happen. One, being the parchment will bleed through. Another is that after a certain point, you are just squeezing out plant matter and fats from the plant matter. Neither of which you want.
I would have gone with the one you linked to but I liked the shiny one. LOL I love this one. And, at only 369 bux, it's my favorite pick.
https://dabpress.com/products/3x3-d...e-driptech-intergrated?variant=19756462702665
.
So you are able to press at just as low a temperature on your 3 tons as on your 12 ton? It doesn’t give you any issue trying to press at 180 ish?
Has the frame held up well for you? Does it seem well made? Does it ever make any noises that make you think it’s bending or anything like that?
Last question, how hard is it to get good pressure? Do you need to use a lot of force on the jack handle?
The most I think I’d be pressing at once is maybe 14g. Probably more like 7g at a time. Maybe 28g of bubble (at most), but that needs less pressure.
Mostly I imagine I’d be using those 2” x 4” bags because I believe those are the size meant for the 3x5 plates? Not sure how much fits in them, but it can’t be all that much.
I see some 8 ton bottle jacks around for like $25 too, so it would be pretty cheap to upgrade that 6 ton jack to an 8 ton. It says that the frame can handle that, but I may email them and double check.
Again, sorry for all the questions.
No problem with questions. Glad to offer my opinion.
How big of a load you can press is determined by the size of the plates, not the tonnage capability. Without any bag or filter, a 2 to 3 gram load flattens out to almost 3" in diameter. With my 3" plates, that's about the max I dare go. You DON'T want the puck to squeeze outside of the plates. If it does it seems to wick the rosin back in, plus leaving debris in the rosin.
With a filter bag, it's all different because the bag holds the load from expanding too much. I don't use filter bags.
So, IMO plate size is a bigger factor than tonnage when it comes how big of a load you want to press.
To effectively press an 8 gram load, I would make 2, 4 gram loads and put them side by side in my 3x7 plates. Plus, I would use directional folding in the parchment to direct the flow out of the plates in one direction (to stop it from overcooking while lingering on the hot plates).
With my 3x3 plates, I just fold the parchment in half and the rosin can flow any way it wants, away from the center and out from the plates on all 4 sides.
As for effort, it's all pretty easy. On the last pump, I have to hold the top of the unit to keep it steady. But, I am an old fuck with arthritis in my wrists, hands and everything else. I can barely twist a screwdriver from torn bicep tendons. I am a total fucking mess. And, I can do it. So, any pussy should have no trouble doing it. LOL
The unit is solid as a rock and I never feel any flexing or give in any way, shape or form. It's all totally solid.
It's hard to know what you want until you have pressed for a while but I have had 4 or 5 presses and I found the tonnage capability to be the least important thing of all.
To be honest, the best design I have used is the 3" round plates I used in my second or third home made unit. Square plates are not logical when we are pressing round pucks. But, that's another topic. LOL
Hope my opinion helps.
.
How big of a load you can press is determined by the size of the plates, not the tonnage capability. Without any bag or filter, a 2 to 3 gram load flattens out to almost 3" in diameter. With my 3" plates, that's about the max I dare go. You DON'T want the puck to squeeze outside of the plates. If it does it seems to wick the rosin back in, plus leaving debris in the rosin.
With a filter bag, it's all different because the bag holds the load from expanding too much. I don't use filter bags.
So, IMO plate size is a bigger factor than tonnage when it comes how big of a load you want to press.
To effectively press an 8 gram load, I would make 2, 4 gram loads and put them side by side in my 3x7 plates. Plus, I would use directional folding in the parchment to direct the flow out of the plates in one direction (to stop it from overcooking while lingering on the hot plates).
With my 3x3 plates, I just fold the parchment in half and the rosin can flow any way it wants, away from the center and out from the plates on all 4 sides.
As for effort, it's all pretty easy. On the last pump, I have to hold the top of the unit to keep it steady. But, I am an old fuck with arthritis in my wrists, hands and everything else. I can barely twist a screwdriver from torn bicep tendons. I am a total fucking mess. And, I can do it. So, any pussy should have no trouble doing it. LOL
The unit is solid as a rock and I never feel any flexing or give in any way, shape or form. It's all totally solid.
It's hard to know what you want until you have pressed for a while but I have had 4 or 5 presses and I found the tonnage capability to be the least important thing of all.
To be honest, the best design I have used is the 3" round plates I used in my second or third home made unit. Square plates are not logical when we are pressing round pucks. But, that's another topic. LOL
Hope my opinion helps.
.
I share a DabPress 3x7 & use a cheap-ass 12 ton shop press. I don't think I've even pressed higher than 2 tons except a test bud or two. I broke down & got the DabPress press mold & it makes perfect 7 gram pucks that slide nicely into 2 x 4.5 bags.
I am still playing though since we don't press much cause a few presses goes a long way if you hit the right strain. 190 seems a nice compromise temperature for us at this point.
I am still playing though since we don't press much cause a few presses goes a long way if you hit the right strain. 190 seems a nice compromise temperature for us at this point.
190 is too high for most things, but necessary for some.
LOL I have a mouse in my pocket who always presses round pucks. I was talking about "we", he and I. LMAO
If I remember right, you press snakes? How do you form them? Just like rolling a joint?
DabPress has a nice rectangular pre-press but I have not tried it yet. I wonder if the edges of a square/rectangular puck are still square after pressing. I assume they 'round out' as well.
.
If I remember right, you press snakes? How do you form them? Just like rolling a joint?
DabPress has a nice rectangular pre-press but I have not tried it yet. I wonder if the edges of a square/rectangular puck are still square after pressing. I assume they 'round out' as well.
.
Reasonably square. They flex out a bit but generally retain the shape ya gave it.
I prefer rectangular to utilize as much of the plate as possible.
And now I need bigger plates. Work is piling up and it's on my mind half as many presses for the same amount of material would be peachy.
I prefer rectangular to utilize as much of the plate as possible.
And now I need bigger plates. Work is piling up and it's on my mind half as many presses for the same amount of material would be peachy.
Very helpful, thank you. That answered pretty much all my questions.
Ok, so I talked to the guy from dabpress about that 10 ton pre built press and figured I’d post his answer for the community (in case anyone ever had the same question I did).
The hydraulic ram is indeed a custom made part as I suspected. DabPress is the only place that sells a replacement. It’s not a part you can source locally.
But he said that they come with extra o rings, etc and a 1 year warranty. Plus if it breaks out of warranty he will sell a replacement for 1/2 price. He also said that it should last a long time if you’re only doing a couple presses per day.
My worry is you’d be SOL if he quit making the replacement rams, though.
So I think I have the decision down to either going with the 6 ton pre made dabpress, or just getting the Dabe b-10 shop press and a caged 3x5 plate kit and being done with it.
If the 6 ton with 3x5 plates is going to allow me to experiment with pressing at the lowest temperatures the same exact way a 10 ton would, then I’ll just go with the 6 ton pre made unit.
But if the 10 ton gives me the best ability to press at the lowest temperature, I will built the 10 ton unit.
The hydraulic ram is indeed a custom made part as I suspected. DabPress is the only place that sells a replacement. It’s not a part you can source locally.
But he said that they come with extra o rings, etc and a 1 year warranty. Plus if it breaks out of warranty he will sell a replacement for 1/2 price. He also said that it should last a long time if you’re only doing a couple presses per day.
My worry is you’d be SOL if he quit making the replacement rams, though.
So I think I have the decision down to either going with the 6 ton pre made dabpress, or just getting the Dabe b-10 shop press and a caged 3x5 plate kit and being done with it.
If the 6 ton with 3x5 plates is going to allow me to experiment with pressing at the lowest temperatures the same exact way a 10 ton would, then I’ll just go with the 6 ton pre made unit.
But if the 10 ton gives me the best ability to press at the lowest temperature, I will built the 10 ton unit.
Last edited:
My last question for you, Ringo or anyone who can answer it.
The main reason I am upgrading is that I really want to get into low temperature pressing.
I don’t know what the lowest temp you can press at is? I’d like to try temps as low as 150 (or less?) if that’s possible.
So my question is, would a 6 ton press with 3x5 plates be capable of pressing at that low of temperature?
Or do I need something that’s capable of more pressure? I really want to have the ability to experiment with pressing at lower temps. I want to get as low as is possible with a rosin press.
Ringo, I know you say pressure is not an issue. But I just wanted to make sure. I had someone at another site tell me that I needed a 10 ton to properly do the lowest temp presses, but I’m not sure if that’s actually true or not from what I’ve read here... like you said, it’s hard to know what I need being new at these tonnage presses.
I know with my bench vise press (mounted 1.5” x 4” hair iron plates on wood panels, stuck in a bench vise), even sticking a long pipe on the vise handle and cranking the hell out of it I couldn’t press at anything lower than 200, and even 200 was tough at times. Usually I needed to go up to 220. Sometimes even 240-250.
Last edited:
Ok, so after a whole lot of reading and talking to the dabpress guy, I’ve decided I need at least a 10 ton press and something with a pressure gauge.
The dabpress guy said the 6 ton won’t cut it for what I’m looking to be able to do. He recommended at least a 10 ton unit for the very low temperature presses. He said the 6 ton doesn’t create the pressure needed to press at the lowest temps and he didn’t recommend upgrading the bottle jack to 8 tons. He’s said he’s seen the 8 ton jacks crack the top of the frame.
It’s amazing what some of these people/companies are doing with these low temp presses.
I know I won’t have the capabilities of some of these high end rosin presses where yo can dial up the pressure 1 psi at a time and set the exact time/temp/psi you want to press at, but I figure getting a nice press with a gauge will be a good start at least.
The dabpress guy said the 6 ton won’t cut it for what I’m looking to be able to do. He recommended at least a 10 ton unit for the very low temperature presses. He said the 6 ton doesn’t create the pressure needed to press at the lowest temps and he didn’t recommend upgrading the bottle jack to 8 tons. He’s said he’s seen the 8 ton jacks crack the top of the frame.
It’s amazing what some of these people/companies are doing with these low temp presses.
I know I won’t have the capabilities of some of these high end rosin presses where yo can dial up the pressure 1 psi at a time and set the exact time/temp/psi you want to press at, but I figure getting a nice press with a gauge will be a good start at least.
