✅ Updated 6/21/21

One of the advantages to building your own rosin press is that it gives you the flexibility to customize an extraction setup that best fits your needs. By designing and assembling your own unique configuration, you can choose the tonnage capacity and plate size to match your expected levels of production. Another important consideration is whether you’ll install a caged or an uncaged rosin plate kit onto your press.  

Caged rosin plate kits include an upper and lower plate that are permanently fixed to one another by columns at every corner. These columns are spring-loaded, keeping the plates in the open position when they’re not under pressure. Caged rosin plate kits do not need to be attached to the press but can simply rest in the proper position.    

Uncaged plate kits include an upper and lower plate that are unattached from each other. The lower plate is secured to the table of the press, and the upper plate is directly attached to the ram via a collar and bolt system. 

A few factors to consider when choosing a rosin plate kit include plate alignment, heat transfer, spacing, and cost. Plate alignment is critical for even pressure application and to keep the bag from shifting during extraction, while heat transfer between the plate kit and press can reduce the accuracy of your extraction. If you’re using a method like Bottle Tech to press your bags vertically, take into consideration the operating space you’ll need between the plates. Finally, the upfront investment in equipment is a consideration when choosing the best rosin plate kit for your set up. 

However, the cost increase can be quite a bit, so if you aren't pressing above 7 grams of material or so, it may not be worth the extra cost. 

Pros: Automatic plate alignment, can help minimize heat transfer, doesn’t need to be directly attached to the press 

Cons: Cost - not as cost efficient as cage-free, can reduce working space for parchment paper with smaller opening between plates and between the corner columns, reduces options for Bottle Tech style extraction

Uncaged Plates

Uncaged plates are not attached to each other and are mounted directly onto the press. The upper plate has a collar and bolt system that attaches it to the driving ram, and the bottom plate attaches to the table of the press. 

Uncaged plates like these from The Press Club give you more working space and freedom to use certain methods like Bottle Tech, which requires a larger gap between the plates. 

While more heat can be lost due to the direct contact with the press, this can be offset by using proper insulation such as fiberglass. 

Pros: costs less than caged - more cost efficient with your DIY press, more room to operate between the plates allowing for vertical style pressing (Bottle Tech), easier to fit large pieces of parchment paper between the plates, no confinement.

Cons: Bottom plate needs to be secured to the press, attaches directly to the ram which can increase heat transfer, alignment needs to be checked and adjusted 

You can find out more about how to press rosin with Bottle Tech in our article here.

Also, if you’re pressing lesser amounts of rosin, you may not need to spend the extra money on a caged plate system. 

If you often struggle with plate alignment and/or rosin bags slipping around during extraction, caged plates may be best.

Conclusion:

Whether you decide to go with a caged or uncaged rosin plate kit, remember to go with quality. Find a good manufacturer that specializes in rosin production so you can trust that your equipment will deliver the accurate temperature and pressure settings you require. 

For the majority of use cases, uncaged plates are a great choice.

Happy Pressing! 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is 6061 aluminum?
An aluminum alloy containing magnesium and silicon as its major alloying elements, it has good mechanical properties, exhibits good weldability, and is very commonly extruded. 6061 aluminum is ideal for constructing rosin plates. Purchase premium rosin plates with 6061 aluminum here.

How can I measure temperature at the rosin plates during extraction?
Place a piece of tape along the outer edge of the rosin plate. Aim a digital thermometer at the tape and capture the reading. The tape helps minimize the diffusion of light from the digital thermometer and ensures a more accurate reading.

What is the collar on a rosin plate?
In uncaged rosin plate kits, the upper plate is fitted directly onto the rosin press ram, or cylinder, using a round fastener and bolt system referred to as the collar

Why use tape on rosin press plates to measure temperature?
A piece of tape placed on the side of rosin press plates can help deliver more accurate readings using a digital thermometer, by limiting the light diffusion from the lazer. Without shining the laser on a piece of tape, the light is reflected off of the shiny sides of the aluminum, which hampers the reading.

Can you make your own rosin press plates?
Rosin press plates are specially designed to maintain accurate temperatures and distribute heat evenly during extraction. While you can make your own plates, it's recommended to use plates designed and manufactured specifically for pressing rosin, like The Press Club's premium Rosin Press Plates.