Uncaged DIY Rosin Press User Guide

User Manual  - Uncaged rosin press plates kit ( dp-rp35)

Recommendations on Materials Loaded: 

1 - High Amounts Loaded:

28g dp-rp35 | 3x5" size heated platen

2 - Filter for Pairing:

- Flower 90-160 microns
- Sift 37 microns
- dp-rp35 – 2x4” or 2.5x4.5” filter size
- Rosin filter bags collection - shop now

3 - Pre Press Mold for Pairing:

dp-rp35 – dp-pm3015r, dp-pm30r, dp-pm30s, dp-pm40r, dp-pm4007s

Installation Instructions:

- Prepare your shop press for use according to their instruction manual before proceeding to the next step.
- Place bamboo insulation plank on top of your shop press’s arbor plates
- Place the bottom platen on top of the bamboo insulation plank.
- Thread the mounting rod up through the arbor plates, and bamboo plank, and thread it into the bottom platen.
- Install the aluminum bar onto the rod and move it tight to the bottom of the shop press work table.
- Tighten the wing nut onto the thread to tighten the aluminum bar to the bottom of the shop press work table.
- Place the top platen on top of the mounted bottom platen and loosen all 4 bolts in the collar.
- Lower the ram of the shop press down and center it into the collar of the top platen.         
Tip: If necessary, loosen the wing nut on the mounting bracket secure the bottom platen, and reposition the platen to complete alignment.
- When both the top and bottom platens are aligned and secure, tighten all 4 bolts into the ram.
- Open the release valve on your press to open the platens.
- Your DIY hydraulic heat press build is now complete.
- Instructions to Secure Bottom Platen to Hydraulic Press Frame:
- Install the top heated plates onto the ram of the hydraulic press.
- Install the bottom heated plate using the long threaded rod through the bamboo insulation, then attached it to the worktable plate.
- Lower the ram on the hydraulic press just until both plates touch.
- Adjust the position of the plates if necessary, so they are aligned.
- Ensure the bamboo plank is aligned under the bottom plate.
- Tighten the nut on the long threaded rod to secure it to the worktable plate below.
Tip: We included a set of bottom plate holders for all of the uncaged kits, but no plate holder for the caged kit.

How to Begin:

- Plug in power to the Temperature Control Box. Turn on both platen power sub-switches and main power.
Set the desired temperature on Temperature Control Box. Our recommendation of 160-200F for fine material, 180-220F for flower
- Operate your shop press by moving the platens together until they are at least 1.5” open.
- Prepare your material either by hand or with your puck maker.
- Insert parchment paper in-between open plates, then insert your puck.
- Operate your shop press to close the platens down and begin compressing the material (finer material such as sift, must apply pressure at a much slower speed to prevent your filter from blowouts) continue to slowly apply pressure until either the color darkens considerably or you feel it is already tight. The pressure will ease off as the oil flows out, at this time we want to bring the pressure back to where it was.         
Tip: Using only enough pressure will give a higher quality extraction so as to not introduce non-essential oils. If the parchment paper tears or is stained through to the other side, it is a good indication of excessive pressure. Try and aim for a tight feeling on the puck but not so tight that you have to put a lot of effort into your handle.         
Tip: If your press has a pressure gauge, we want to apply 1000 PSI to the material for the flower and 500 PSI to the material for sift. You will need to calculate your pressure correctly to apply the desired PSI at the material since puck size will vary.
- Start a timer for 90 seconds on your smartphone. Check for additional flow during this time, and determine when to end your pressing time.         
Tip: Extraction times will vary, so it's important to let the flow of your extraction be your guide. Higher temperatures extractions will finish faster than lower temperatures.
- Operate your shop press to release the pressure.
- Remove parchment paper and puck carefully from the open platens.
- Collect your material, a cold plate from the freezer may help in your collection.
- Place collection in a storage container.
- Power off the Temperature Control Box if your pressing time is over.

         * Repeat steps 3-11 to continue working.

Important Notices!

- Turn off the temperature control box when finished working to prevent overheating of your hydraulic system.
- The use of the included bamboo insulation plank will prevent your shop press from heat draining.
- Always wear eye protection.
- Keep hands out of the working area.

Questions & Answers:

Question: Can I use an A-frame shop press with heat press plates kit?
Answer: Usually A-frame shop press does not have clearance for heated platens, please check the clearance of your desired press. 

Question: Can I use an arbor press with heat press plates kit?
Answer: Usually an arbor press does not have clearance for heated platens, please check the clearance of your desired press. 

Question: What Humidity level should my flower be stored in?
Answer: 62% is the recommended stable relative humidity (RH) inside of your flower container. 

Question: How to measure the humidity in my flower container?
Answer: A small hygrometer will give you the humidity levels inside the container. 

Question: Can I re-press my pucks?
Answer: Yes!  Simply fold the puck in half and re-press it.  You might have to use a higher temperature to get an extraction. 

Question: Do I need to use filter bags for flowers?
Answer: No, you can press single flowers and get great results, you can also use the pre-press molds to form pucks to press without the use of filters.  Keep in mind when not using filters that the puck will expand a bit larger. 

Question: How many tons does my shop press need for my platens?
Answer: It depends on a couple of factors.  Mostly it will depend on what size pucks you are pressing. 

Our Recommendation:

- We suggest using at least 1000 pounds (1/2 of a ton) of force per square inch of puck size for flower materials loaded.  Only 500 pounds (1/4 of a ton) of force per square inch of puck size for sift materials loaded. 
- Usually 4-6 tons for 3x3” platens, 6-10 tons for 3x5” platens, and 12-20 tons for 4x7” platens.

Troubleshooting:

1 - How to avoid the filter bags from blowing out?

- Remove excess stems from flowers.
- Use less material in your filter bag.
- Preheating your material first to get it melty before you begin to apply pressure.
- Apply the pressure more slowly.

2 - How to apply the pressure for optimal yield and quality?

- Flower is the easiest material to extract. Slowly compress the puck until the oil begins to flow. As the extraction is flowing, it is important to keep some weight of downward force on the jack handle to maintain the level of pressure in which the oil is released. By applying too much pressure we may experience blowouts, or even introduce plant matter into our essential oils. Once the puck is mostly extracted you should no longer feel any more release of pressure on the jack handle.
- Sift and fine material will take some practice, so we advise preheating your puck between closed platens. They need to only touch the top and bottom of the puck for preheating. No pressure is required. Allow the puck to preheat for 20-30 seconds. At this time the puck should be melty and more likely to flow out instead of building up pressure inside which may cause a blowout. Gently apply pressure onto the puck and give it time to release the oil, slowly applying the pressure throughout the entire extraction. 

3 - The yields are not very good.

- If pressing the flower, verify your sealed storage jar’s humidity level is between 60-65%
Try a different variety.
- Sifting or hashing it first will allow you to press out a product with acceptable yields.

4 - The top platens do not stay in alignment.

Since the top platen is secured onto a cylinder shape ram, it is impossible to lock it on so it won’t ever twist around.  For this reason, we suggest preparing the alignment of the top platen after the materials are loaded but before you begin to apply your desired pressure.  Use a heat-resistant glove if necessary to position the plate into alignment.

5 - One of the platens is taking longer to heat up.

Insure bamboo plank is installed between the bottom heated platen and the arbor plates on your shop press to prevent heat draining.

YouTube Videos:

1 - DabPress DP-RP35 Build & Review with 10-Ton Press

2 - Rosin Micron Filters 90um vs 120um vs 160um in Yield!

How to calibrate the temp different between SV and PV

PID Temp Controller to Default - Dabpress