Don't now how you were planning. But I've seen people use clamps and cigar boxes to make presses. Seemed inexpensive and effective.
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BOTL UPCOMING MAINTENANCE
Hi Everyone, as mentioned in my introduction post, BOTL needs quite a bit of updating, patching and whatever else I might come across. Over the next few weekends BOTL may be unreachable on occasion as I do migrations or updates, etc. Just be patient - we'll be back! I'll generally try to keep these maintenances until later in the evenings.
I like playing with my tobacco!
- Thread starter smokinghole
- Start date
I did that already. The box route is one time use. I have a shitty shelf (former platform bed) made with scrap 2x6s that will now be cut up slightly planed (got myself a planer) and made into a mold that will have an adjustable height holding mech. I will hold the pressure with some bolts I'm thinking from top to bottom. I will post pics of what I make when I'm dine with it.
Sounds great man. If I could, I might suggest all thread with wide washers and nuts on both sides to not only distribute the pressure, but get clamping force from both sides you wouldn't get with bolts.
Yeah I was thinking about that. I haven't decided. Depends on how I finalize the design.
I'm going to use the 12ton press at work and just figure out a way to hold the compression.
Ducttapegonewild
Actual Size
Might I suggest a couple of thick metal backing to the 2X6 boards?
You may. There is stainless scrap that I plan on using to help me out a bit. So this should be easy enough to spend little to no $$ on for the mould.
Got my first 100g blended up. 30% Virginia (50/50 lemon and red) 30% oriental (50/50 Izmir and prilep) 35% latakia, and 5% dark air cured. I am slightly moistening it so I can shred it via cutting with a knife after rolling it into a loose cigar shape. If I like this I will proceed to a press attempt.
So I have been brainstorming about what to make a press from. Wanted to use stainless steel but that requires welding and well stainless isn't cheap. Then I thought of aluminum easier to work with not really necessary to weld but cutting and drilling isn't the easiest with my tools on hand. Then i thought of food safe plastics. Teflon is spendy. But HDPE is pretty cheap. I can thread it and put threaded inserts. Its non-reactive, impact resistant, and seems like a winner price wise. I will investigate more but I think I found my material.
Here's the link to it to aid in purchasing...
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-a-frame-bench-shop-press-1666.html
Round PVC would be super cheap but I'm trying to make it square. I figure mostly for cutting east and ability to achieve uniform flake thickness. I will use the mold as a cutting guide to get straight cuts by popping off one of the ends.
Cut it up today and will dig in in a few days. For the prelim recipe I just bundled everything and slightly pressed it with a couple heavy books and my ass a few days. Then I get this chub of baccy that sliced nicely with my sharp as knife. Need to get a knife with the handle on top the blade for wrist comfort.
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The Virginia portions are.