The Tobacco Press That You Already Own

[woodsroad]

Ahmad, the press also works great packing jars for long-term cellaring.

 

[cobguy]

No, it's just a hobby. I've already turned one of my hobbies into a vocation, and I'll be very reluctant to ever do that again!

A couple of years can certainly change one's mind, huh? :mrgreen:
Here's my most recent press box build:

The 6-ton shop press with my very first plug mold:

One of the flakes that came from this set-up:

 

[woodsroad]

I'll eat my hat, if I can find it amidst all this pipe tobacco!
PS, no pix coming through.....

 

[mortonbriar]

This whole thread is impressive

 

[hakchuma]

That's a really cool idea. I'm thinking of getting a 6 ton press from harbor freight just for the fun of it. YouTube channel real-bat man shows him using that press. Plus it's funny to listen to his southern drawllllz.

 

[jvnshr]

This whole thread is impressive

Totally agree.

 

[jitterbugdude]

I'm thinking of getting a 6 ton press

It is somewhat tricky using a press. I've made quite a few hockey pucks with mine. I've since switched to a screw press I made and am much happier with the results.
BTW, all this pressing you guys are doing you really ought to make yourself some Perique while you're at it.

 

[woodsroad]

Jitterbug, so you are talking about using too much pressure and ending ip with a brick? The press that I bought has a pressure gauge (pressure in the cylinder), so the effective psi can be calculated. Going by what Per Jenson sez in the vid here that Kevin did, their presses roll at 325 psi. What is your experience?
Abd yes, we'd love a tutorial on making Perique!

 

[jitterbugdude]

so you are talking about using too much pressure and ending ip with a brick

WoodsR.. I was using a 20 ton shop press. It made very nice bricks. I was thinking of selling them to NASA for heat shield material but then the Space Shuttle Program went away.
Without having a pressure gauge I really can't comment on "pressure applied" in an intelligent manner. When I switched to a screw press it enabled me to make some nice plug, crumble cake and Perique.
Do you have a link for your press (with the gauge)? Would love to have one with a gauge.

 

[woodsroad]

Here's the press that I have. It was about $30 cheaper when I got it less than a year ago.

​

You can probably add a gauge to your press, maybe at the drain plug?

 

[woodsroad]

After I get the plug forms welded up, I'm going to make a screw press.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-a-frame-bench-shop-press-1666.html

For just playing around, this press is less than $100. It doesn't have a gauge, but unless you are going to be taking your product to market, it really shouldn't matter. I kind of like hocky puck plugs, ha ha. Warrior, Condor, etc...

 

[jpmcwjr]

Hell, Dan, that thing in the lower right corner of your photo looks like actual work!. WTF???
::

 

[woodsroad]

John, I found a guy at the pipe club with a sign around his neck "Will Work For Plugs"

 

[jpmcwjr]

Hmmmm. That is a bit ambiguous.... Are you sure he's straight?

 

[woodsroad]

I'm so naive sometimes.

The leather shorts were nice, though.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Some nice hydraulic presses here chaps, I'm impressed by your ingenuity. Mine as shown earlier in the week is merely a threaded press but does impart considerable force as my first 'plug' showed after only a couple of days pressing.
I have realised that I should be able to work out the actual pressure exerted by use of a torque wrench but I have not got one :crying:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[jitterbugdude]

WR, Thanks for the link but since I already have a 20 ton press I'll just try adding a gauge to a bottle jack. I don't think the drain plug can be used since the metal is too thin. I'll drill and tap into the bottom area of the jack.

 

[storfiskarn52]

Why would you want to press it?

 

[mawnansmiff]

"Why would you want to press it?"
Storf, folks like to press tobacco to make either crumble cake or plugs. The idea being that compressed tobacco has a much more concentrated flavour.
Having done it myself (and have another pressing as I type) I can confirm it really does intensify the flavours.
Regards,
Jay.