Rosin press yields

[shredder]

I love rosin but I'm disappointed in yields i get, using a hair straightener.

I'm curious about various low end presses ($300-400 range) and their expected yields, ease of use, and so on.

Anyone use one of these and could enlighten me?

 

[herbivore21]

Forget all the advertising bullshit. If you can't get verified pressure-gauge tested results and temp ranges as measured with a k-type or stem thermometer that are suitable, then the press won't work.

Generally, I find a hell of a lot of low-end presses to not deliver enough pressure. If you wanna squish half a gram of flower at a time or so, a 2 inch round plate with 1000-2000psi at 180-250f will get the job done.

If you wanna press more flower (an 8th, a quarter ounce) you need an hydraulic or pneumatic press, starting in the range of 10 tons of pressure for a 4 inch diameter set of plates to squish an 8th or just under at a time and past a point, you need more pressure/bigger presses for bigger plates/larger amounts still.

Ask yourself:

How much do I wanna squish at a time?

If your answer is more than half a gram or slightly more of flower, then you will need to save some extra cash as adequate solutions for larger amounts are 2-4 times as expensive.

Hopefully this helps to get started, it is a daunting exercise since all of the presses are still pretty DIY!

 

[OldOyler]

If you wanna press more flower (an 8th, a quarter ounce) you need an hydraulic or pneumatic press, starting in the range of 10 tons of pressure for a 4 inch diameter set of plates to squish an 8th or just under at a time and past a point, you need more pressure/bigger presses for bigger plates/larger amounts still.

Peace hb, and exactly what I was working through in my mind as well @shredder .

HB, can you..."OldOyler that up" for me? I am ready as of Jan 1st to spend around $500 if it's worth it, and it can be a bit tough going through all the DIY rosin press thread pages in range, price, style.

I think there's a lot of folks wondering all this as well. That thread gets pretty techie / mechanical.

Given someone like myself, where 1/8oz or 1/4oz flower per press is right about on the money, what do you suggest that is straightforward?

Like I think someone mentioned "mounting a couple of soldering irons in plates...". No, you know me bud. Needs to be simpler. Put puck here. Push/pull/crank something. Bing. Rosin!

I can take the truth - what kind of money am I actually considering here, and do you have any specific model suggestions?

Thanks and peace hb, sorry to put you on the spot.

(Clearly not sorry enough to stop *doing* it, of course...)

 

[shredder]

Peace hb, and exactly what I was working through in my mind as well @shredder .

HB, can you..."OldOyler that up" for me? I am ready as of Jan 1st to spend around $500 if it's worth it, and it can be a bit tough going through all the DIY rosin press thread pages in range, price, style.

I think there's a lot of folks wondering all this as well. That thread gets pretty techie / mechanical.

Given someone like myself, where 1/8oz or 1/4oz flower per press is right about on the money, what do you suggest that is straightforward?

Like I think someone mentioned "mounting a couple of soldering irons in plates...". No, you know me bud. Needs to be simpler. Put puck here. Push/pull/crank something. Bing. Rosin!

I can take the truth - what kind of money am I actually considering here, and do you have any specific model suggestions?

Thanks and peace hb, sorry to put you on the spot.

(Clearly not sorry enough to stop *doing* it, of course...)

I'm about where your at oldoyler.

Currently I get about 7% returns with a hair straightener. And I'd like to improve yields at a more reasonable cost. ( I think $300-400 is reasonable, $1200+ not so much)

As it is, for me, rosin is an expensive treat. To make it more mainstream I'll have to get yields up and costs down.

 

[OldOyler]

To make it more mainstream I'll have to get yields up and costs down.

Well this is exactly my problem.

Without going vac, I have maxed out my home qwet shatter setup. I don't need bigger - rosin for me was about "put weed in, press button, rosin comes out", and at least at a predictable return.

I have to pick *one or the other*, qwet shatter or rosin, going forward. And this makes my "supply", so it needs to be reliable enough to run 2oz total per month or so.

I won't expound on that any more, just saying that I think you have hit on something important. A lot if the talk of rosin is still DIY or four figures.

And if it just can't be financially down to acceptable, I need to know and I'll probably go vac for my qwet to max out that technique.

I've read...more pages on rosin pressing here on FC...I know you can throw money at it, or if you're a bit mechanical you can do it DIY.

But I am having trouble finding out what exists for not too mechanical folks in the "Okay, I can afford that. ONCE." category. For me, that's right around $500, of course with some mild play, and I trust a lot of folks here on FC (like herbivore21) to tell it to me straight.

Whether I like the answer or not...

Peace, and I hope some other folks jump in here as well.

 

[turk]

...for my needs..(me..my gf..company )..the press I use from high five works...no it will not chug out larger quantities ...but I don't need that.

 

[OldOyler]

...for my needs..(me..my gf..company )..the press I use from high five works...no it will not chug out larger quantities ...but I don't need that.

Peace!

I won't say I'm not impressed with their stuff! Going to check it out over the next day, and those prices are well within my budget.

Main section on site: http://www.highfivevape.com/online-shop/rosin-presses

And definitely within budget ($299) was: http://www.highfivevape.com/products/HIGH5_Manual_Rosin_Press_V2

I'm NOT suggesting that one, or any, just getting the ideas going. I couldn't easily get an idea of how large a run could be done, etc.

I realize I really need to get up to speed on specs, etc. again and take another good look.

Peace and thanks again turk!

 

[turk]

...I have the manual...it's a heavy sucker...I really enjoy it...the whole process...feel free to ask any questions..

 

[OldOyler]

Cool @turk I really appreciate it.

I guess main question - how much dry can the manual hold, and then what are your yields like?

And I have heard about pre-pressing, and getting ss mesh for the puck. Is there a device for the "pucking", and any links you could provide?

Same for the ss mesh I suppose, and is parchment the best overall wrapper? (I have no idea the lingo...)

I really enjoy the process of making my own stuff, so I don't mind anything I need to know that jumps out at you.

Peace!

 

[turk]

...yea..I bought a herbal press from amazon which pounds herb into a puck...like a 1.00 coin...then put that puck on parchment paper..(also purchased through amazon)..the pre press ...makes a huge difference..some strains do better than others...but...it's really great fun...

 

[herbivore21]

Peace!

I won't say I'm not impressed with their stuff! Going to check it out over the next day, and those prices are well within my budget.

Main section on site: http://www.highfivevape.com/online-shop/rosin-presses

And definitely within budget ($299) was: http://www.highfivevape.com/products/HIGH5_Manual_Rosin_Press_V2

I'm NOT suggesting that one, or any, just getting the ideas going. I couldn't easily get an idea of how large a run could be done, etc.

I realize I really need to get up to speed on specs, etc. again and take another good look.

Peace and thanks again turk!

Turk is right on the money on which press to get man. That looks like the equivalent of a DIY vise press setup but in an all-in-one design ready made!

Now one thing that is going to make you smile is that you can get a flat coil with the rosin press (the heaters are controller by a digital e-nail controller (granted a cheap one, but still, this will get you into an e-nail CHEAP!)

When you buy this press, buy an additional flat coil for an e-nail ($34 extra). Then all you need to do is buy your nail itself, plug your flat coil into the press heater controller and away you go

I bet this is going to be welcome news to the CFO

 

[shredder]

...I have the manual...it's a heavy sucker...I really enjoy it...the whole process...feel free to ask any questions..

Yields?

 

[OldOyler]

Turk is right on the money on which press to get man. That looks like the equivalent of a DIY vise press setup but in an all-in-one design ready made!

Now one thing that is going to make you smile is that you can get a flat coil with the rosin press (the heaters are controller by a digital e-nail controller (granted a cheap one, but still, this will get you into an e-nail CHEAP!)

When you buy this press, buy an additional flat coil for an e-nail ($34 extra). Then all you need to do is buy your nail itself, plug your flat coil into the press heater controller and away you go

I bet this is going to be welcome news to the CFO

She almost shart herself with disbelief. "You...you are telling you need LESS money? Baby I've never heard you use that word..." Which is of course utter nonsense...

I am really...stunned that rosin is now on my horizon. This is a real game changer for me.

And good things back to you @turk , and thanks as always hb.

Will post once I get close to my order - maybe a week or two now at that price.

And still open, any ideas as to *general* returns.

Peace!

 

[turk]

...yields depend on strain...10-20%...low end 10% happened one time...weed was bunk...so there's that...but then I've had bunk give great yields...

 

[OldOyler]

...yields depend on strain...10-20%...low end 10% happened one time...weed was bunk...so there's that...but then I've had bunk give great yields...

Very much within an acceptable range for me! QWET returns me spot on approx. 1g shatter per 7g flower.

I am...really, really stoked turk.

Peace!

 

[OldOyler]

yea..I bought a herbal press from amazon which pounds herb into a puck...like a 1.00 coin...then put that puck on parchment paper

Sorry to bug you again turk.

How much flower can you press / suggest a person press at a time? And does this means including the limit of the "puck maker" in my considerations when I get one (so they match capacity)?

Peace!

 

[turk]

...still experimenting ...never done more than gram and a half ....cheers

 

[OldOyler]

...still experimenting ...never done more than gram and a half ....cheers

Sorry, hopefully last question turk. I am just trying to think through the processing of material.

So if I wanted to run say 1/4oz (7g) then would I make them into like 1g pucks and press individually ahead of time - getting a little detailed, sorry - and then press them all in a row?

Trying to get an idea how long it would take if I had ss screens and parchment squares all ready to go.

Then how long to make a puck in the little maker, "assemble/prepare" a puck for in mesh/parchment for pressing, and then the press itself I guess is no time. Trying to think through the time and physical work of 1/4oz or whatever for planning.

Thanks turk, and I really do think I am done bugging you on it. I'm jazzed.

Peace!

 

[herbivore21]

Sorry, hopefully last question turk. I am just trying to think through the processing of material.

So if I wanted to run say 1/4oz (7g) then would I make them into like 1g pucks and press individually ahead of time - getting a little detailed, sorry - and then press them all in a row?

Trying to get an idea how long it would take if I had ss screens and parchment squares all ready to go.

Then how long to make a puck in the little maker, "assemble/prepare" a puck for in mesh/parchment for pressing, and then the press itself I guess is no time. Trying to think through the time and physical work of 1/4oz or whatever for planning.

Thanks turk, and I really do think I am done bugging you on it. I'm jazzed.

Peace!

Yup, if you wanted to squish a quarter ounce, you would need to prepare your pucks in .5-1g increments to squish one after the other.

BTW, you do not need screens IME and IMO - especially if you are pre-squishing your material into pucks! I would also squish .5g at a time, not 1g at a time to get more efficient yields. Too big of a puck in a press with low pressure like this is going to necessitate re-squishing the pucks a few more times to get all of the oil out of them. If you press smaller amounts, you have less surface area of your puck and hence more PSI being pressed down onto it. This will give you better yields with less squishing of the same puck (which is applying heat to said puck over and over and not helping the quality of the resin)

 

[OldOyler]

Yup, if you wanted to squish a quarter ounce, you would need to prepare your pucks in .5-1g increments to squish one after the other.

BTW, you do not need screens IME and IMO - especially if you are pre-squishing your material into pucks! I would also squish .5g at a time, not 1g at a time to get more efficient yields. Too big of a puck in a press with low pressure like this is going to necessitate re-squishing the pucks a few more times to get all of the oil out of them. If you press smaller amounts, you have less surface area of your puck and hence more PSI being pressed down onto it. This will give you better yields with less squishing of the same puck (which is applying heat to said puck over and over and not helping the quality of the resin)

Beautiful.

Any suggestions (I am kind of an Amazon hound) on what puck-maker to use?

I am absolutely cool with whatever size puck you think, I am hoping I can do that as two separate tasks - make some pucks, then press the pucks.

Also - parchment paper specs of any sort beyond standard type?

Thanks hb and peace!

 

[herbivore21]

Beautiful.

Any suggestions (I am kind of an Amazon hound) on what puck-maker to use?

I am absolutely cool with whatever size puck you think, I am hoping I can do that as two separate tasks - make some pucks, then press the pucks.

Also - parchment paper specs of any sort beyond standard type?

Thanks hb and peace!

A very good few questions! I do not use puck making tools at all but typically an old school kief press is what most tend to use. It definitely helps to squish more weight at once with a smaller press.

As for parchment, I do not use anything except oil slick slick wrap (aluminum foil backed silicone/cellulose matrix - this is not your regular parchment! It is tougher, conducts heat to the puck better and being matte white makes it very easy to see your rosin to collect it

Do not cheap out on parchment (a lot of them have problems with delamination of non-stick coatings onto your material and/or quillon coatings etc which are not safe for our needs). Only use the same piece of parchment once.

 

[OldOyler]

oil slick slick wrap

Absolutely will do slick wrap.

Any suggestions for where to get a kief press? I, uh...don't know what that is.

That would close out everything I would need, If you have addtl suggestions *please* throw them out for me.

This just saved me over $500. Extras are now waaaay okay.

Peace!

 

[herbivore21]

Absolutely will do slick wrap.

Any suggestions for where to get a kief press? I, uh...don't know what that is.

That would close out everything I would need, If you have addtl suggestions *please* throw them out for me.

This just saved me over $500. Extras are now waaaay okay.

Peace!

Man I'm so glad to hear this, I've always thought rosin would be best case scenario for your needs - especially running small amounts!

A kief press (aka 'pollen press' - this is a misnomer, cannabis pollen typically is found on males, which are typically not what we are using for our meds if we have any sense!), can be found from most head shops etc. Also amazon seems to be your friend here too, the word seems to be 'pollen press' rather than 'kief press' when searching amazon. Go figure!

Pretty much any of the ones you find in the results will work, just choose one with good reviews. The t-handle based presses can be easier to use for those of us with issues with motor control etc. Make sure you choose one reviewed as heavy duty and durable since this is the most important requirement for you here.

 

[YeahImStoned]

with good bud and my nugsmasher i rarely see it drop bellow 25% usally above 30 like 31-32

 

[Mynameismud]

Flower Usually 20-30% with quality starting material

Full melt: 80-90+% returns

using a canna clamp. have an extra brand new one in the classifieds if anyone is interested