Reddit mentions of TEMCo 1/2 Inch 3"x24" 6061 Aluminum Tooling Flat Sheet Plate Bar Mill Stock

This is my set up. Really, really easy. I dont have a garage full of tools and i still thought it was easy.

Disassemble this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M14RI79/ref=zg_bs_11058261_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=F6E9C1ERF8C0HBFJSA98 (having some of those really small screwdrivers like you'd use to work on eye glasses makes this part cake)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ZS6JU02/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1510258631&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=aluminum++1%2F2+inch&dpPl=1&dpID=31FkfqMeaYL&ref=plSrch use a dremel to cut this into plates to sit on both sides of each of your hair straightener heat plates. Having the aluminum against the back of the hair straightener plate will keep you from smashing those wire leads and allow you to put more pressure.

I tried a few diff arbor presses and vises, for my small nug presses (i press a nug at a time, its just for me and rosin lasts me a really long time in my wax pen) .... the 5 inch model of this one gives me plenty of pressure and doesnt break the bank. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003JSY8S0/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1510258796&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=yost%2B5%2Binch%2Bvise&dpPl=1&dpID=41QF1yC8WyL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

And thats it. At first i used jb weld to hold my plates to each other but found that metal wire (with slots cut into everything to make the wire stay in place and the plates to meet flush) was far easier. Only tool i really used was a dremel and of course my laser thermometer to constantly check accuracy of the temps. I get great results with this setup and it was super cheap. I can post pics of mine if you want. Got it zip tied to the inside of a milk crate to make it portable and stand upright on its own. It looks pretty rough but works great.

Edit. ... personal opinion here ..... but beware of builds using arbor presses, yeah they work, but for my money its easier to twist that 5 inch vise tight really hard then wait and watch the timer...... vs having to stand there with all my weight leaning on an arbor press handle for 60 seconds at a time to keep pressure on. That yost 5 inch vise gives me better returns than i got from an arbor press and it's less work.


Hope i dont get laughed too hard but here is my Frankenstein https://m.imgur.com/a/bOZ1P (note the notches made with the dremel to keep the wire from sliding around the vise when you tighten it.) Works like a champ and cheaply replaced parts.