Buying a press. Please help!

Hi, so I am looking to buy 1st rosin (etc) press, but looking for some advice.
It's easy to get lost in expensive items that claim to work the best, but I want your opinion-
1: Is it worth paying $500-1000 for a press?
1.5: If not, what are some lower cost options/suggestions?
2: If so, cool...I was thinking either Nugsmasher OG or Low Temp Plates (complete). Opinions or suggestions also welcome here.
IN EITHER CASE, please give best input, thank you!

My setup cost me about a thou.

Low Temp Plates 3 X 5 caged ~$400-500 (depending if on sale or not)

Dake 10 ton press ~$400

Parchment paper, mesh bags, jars, etc.

If you know what you're doing and have the time, there are tutorials for making your own plates, heaters and all that.....but too much of a headache for me. Plus, I think the caged setup is the only way to insure proper alignment.

Many people have said they like the Nugsmasher -dedicated machine....but I don't now....I think the Dake 10 ton press or a Baleigh or something like that is the better way to go if you're into it....takes up a lot of room and they are heavy.

tstick said:

My setup cost me about a thou.

Low Temp Plates 3 X 5 caged ~$400-500 (depending if on sale or not)

Dake 10 ton press ~$400

Parchment paper, mesh bags, jars, etc.

If you know what you're doing and have the time, there are tutorials for making your own plates, heaters and all that.....but too much of a headache for me. Plus, I think the caged setup is the only way to insure proper alignment.

Many people have said they like the Nugsmasher -dedicated machine....but I don't now....I think the Dake 10 ton press or a Baleigh or something like that is the better way to go if you're into it....takes up a lot of room and they are heavy.

Click to expand...

Does a compressor run your press?

natureboygrower said:

Does a compressor run your press?

Click to expand...

No. It's a hand pump.

Here's the one I bought:
https://www.grainger.com/product/40..._kwcid=AL!2966!3!50916766197!!!g!443853512605!

And here's the plate kit I bought:

https://www.lowtemp-plates.com/collections/rosin-cage-kits/products/3x5-lowtemp-cage-kit-1

tstick said:

And here's the plate kit I bought:

https://www.lowtemp-plates.com/collections/rosin-cage-kits/products/3x5-lowtemp-cage-kit-1

Click to expand...

Would that all be what I need is the low temp plates with the housing and the shop press from Granger or somewhere else? Or what I need to buy an additional pump or anything else?
Buying as soon as today, so need to know exactly what I'm buying (if it's DIY). Thanks.

Yep...All you need is the Low Temp Plates set (make sure you get the set -with the heater and not just the plates by themselves)...

...and the press. Like I say, I spent the extra money for the Dake brand name, but I'm sure there are presses that would work just as well for a lot less money. But, if you want the reassurance of the company name to back up the product, then Dake is a good name to go with. Baleigh is another one.

And then you'll need a roll of parchment paper and plenty of mesh bags....a few wrenches to put the press together...

And it helps to watch some of the tutorial videos on YouTube to get familiar with the process. The learning curve is easy and you'll catch on in no time....but just make sure you use the very best most trichomed-out buds you can get. If you try making flower rosin with shitty leafy buds, then you will be greatly disappointed.

Many people, in fact, go to the MUCH extra trouble of first turning their weed into bubble hash and then pressing the hash to get the utmost superior rosin. But that takes a LOT of extra time...a LOT! And you have to be a good bubble hash maker first! And learning to make bubble hash is a lot harder to do.

I mean...if you're going to get serious about concentrates, then you might as well get the right equipment. If you think it's just going to be something you'll get bored with in a few months, then just get some inexpensive stuff and see.

The upside of getting a press is that I can use it for other things like print making, pressing dried flowers, removing wheel bearings...and so on. But, it is a very heavy object and it's not easy to store or move around. You really need the space for it. A dedicated machine like the Nugsmasher can sit on top of a table...be put away in the closet, etc. The bad thing about those machines (I think) is that they just can't get the pressing power of a real press.

You CAN adapt the press to work with a compressor. I personally haven't done that. The hand pump that comes with the press is very high quality and easy to use. A compressor is overkill, in my opinion....and they are LOUD!

I own a high5 press. It produces. 2x4 inch plates. Might need more finesse than the press that tstick recommends, but it produces great product for $175.

I like my Nug Smasher, easy to use, well made and consistent, had it over a year with zero issues.

[QUOTE="David Ferguson, post: 15074686, member: 960395"Buying as soon as today...[/QUOTE]

So what did you decide @David Ferguson ?? I'm thinking along the same lines and thanks to @tstick for some great info.

Thank you all, 1st off!
InDC4now- went with Nugsmasher, and loving it! ALMOST was low temp plates (complete), but decided on the other.