Press Design Poll

[TessKay]

I am interested in what is your favorite press design and why.... Have a few ideas running around my brain and would like some opinions on the mechanics of the presses available now.
You may choose more than one. Its set up with multiple answer capabilitys.
Thanks so much for your input!

[mostlydetails]

My favorites are Zooziis because I like the pins that line up the base & top.

[cghipp]

I think my favorite kind of press would be a tong style or with a pin guide to keep it in line, or a pliers style.

[sislonski]

I like the posts as it's easy to line up plus you can put pressure to push out the glass wherever you want, which I'm assuming you wouldnt' be able to do with a hinge or a tong style. I also like not having to fuss with a base sitting on my work area taking up more room or having to switch presses in the base.

I have tongs/pliers style and like the freedom of being able to press the bead in whatever position I want. For example rather than having to twist my body to the side to press the bead, I simply roll my chair back and press.
The down side is , I don't have the freedom to apply pressure in the different areas of the bead to push out the glass. but maybe that is what makes it better, that it is an even pressure. Whereas with the base or pins it's easy to apply extra pressure on one side of the bead making for an uneven bead.:confused:

[swanseafarm]

I think my favorite kind of press would be a tong style or with a pin guide to keep it in line, or a pliers style.

A tong/plier style with pins to keep it aligned is a great idea!

That would be so user-friendly.

[Ever After]

zoozis post style is no fail. i love it, I love the trios, too, no bases to mess with or extra expense.

[Firebug]

I have to say I prefer the base-style press, as that is what I started with when I first discovered presses. I have a couple of Zooziis presses and I removed the pins. I tried using the press with the pins, but it drove me crazy. The Cattwalk base has a guide pin in one corner of the base and that works great for me! Seems so far, everyone likes guide pins!

Cheers
Kathy

[Carolyn]

I like zooziis cause you don't have to buy a separate base. Also her prongs are rounded, which actually makes a HUGE difference. I have a press from someone else that has flat tops and it a PITA to line up. Needless to say I don't use it much!!!

[mintleaf]

I have to say I like my tongs first, then zooziis (which I didn't like at all to begin with), then the base kind.

I absolutely love my ice tongs that another lampworker gave me!

[lldesigns]

I don't like the hassle of a separate base.

[sunnyone]

Amy rocks!!!! I am an addict! You rock Amy..oops sorry.... zoozii! hehe

crystal

[melissabeads]

Zooziis hands down! I wish I could own them all!!! I have never tried the tong style though..Other than my BBQ Mashers.

[TessKay]

So, I see so far that the post style is the most popular.. Is there anything you would do to improve the design?

[Reenie]

I like the posts as well. And I definitely would say go for trio's. I work mostly small stuff but do occasionally try larger beads sooo it's really nice to have a choice of 3 to work with AND for the same money.
Improve the design?? I would say make them not so thick? Or have an option like cattwalk where u can have them made thick or thinner?
Does that make sense?
Irene

[mary1_$]

I only have 1 press and it has post on it to line it up. I like it . I ordered some tong press from Heidi and its comming in mail. Cant wait to get them. They look likt they would be easy to use. I will see. Someday I want some more differnt ones but my income is so limited I cant buy much. I sold something and bought the tong presses. Maby I will be good enough before long to sell beads. He! He! Thanks Maryt

[Ann_R]

Although I use presses from all the well-known manufacturers, I like my lentil press from ChristyL (caprivat on eBay) the best. It's hinged and also no fail. And I never have to look for the top or bottom--they're always connected.

[Patch]

I like the post style but had to vote tong as I really appreciate the fact that I can work at eye level.

[bead crazy]

I like the hinge ones the best there is no lineing up and all you do is flip the top over No looking to see if you have the top on right. the second would be the post zoozis.
Lori

[Carlabeads]

I'm with Kathy - the posts drive me batty on the zoozi presses. I have a pillow press that I hardly ever use because I just can never get a good press. I have a hard time lining up the holes with the posts, and by the time I get it lined up the glass is cooled down too much - grr. I really want a couple of their presses, but the fact that they have the posts keeps me from ordering them... I may have to try removing the posts - never thought of that. I looove my cattwalk presses and don't mind the bases at all. I definitely like the trio presses much better than the singles. I like having all the different size options. :)

Carla

[gmdcrafts]

I voted for the post style and the base style. I use both equally with ease, no problems switching between the two. My first press was a tong style lentil press, and I just never had much luck getting a good shape with it.

[claybraes]

Zooziis, Fiona

[Carolyn Ramsay]

Love the Cattwalk presses and have no trouble with the base.
Carolyn

[liannbeads]

I prefer the Cattwalk presses. I didn't think I would at first but I do. I like the fact that the presses are so much smaller and take up less storage room and workbench space. I don't mind the base at all and the pin on one side to align with works really well. :biggrin:

[Beckah]

I've only used the Zoozii's presses and I love them!=D> My engineering husband took a close look when the first one arrived and he pointed out the tapered posts saying that was a great way to design it. I particularly love the trios -- not only is it three-in-one but I can usually move up a size if I use too much glass.

I looked and looked at the CattWalk presses before I bought Zoozii's, I was never clear what went with what and what was standalone -- I could never figure out which pieces went with the base, which base I'd need, etc.](*,) So eventually I went with Zoozii's because what to order was simple and clear -- although deciding which one to order kept me in a quandry for days.:confused:

[Eileen's Gifts]

Ooops, I clicked hinged and meant to choose pin style :roll:

[wolfotter]

Jim Moore presses for me!!!!!! I like the freedom that they give me to create my beads..........you don't have to have the exact amount of glass and you can also hold them at eye level!!!!! They give me a great canvas to work my designs on. And of course they are works of art just looking at them!!!!!!

Andrea Guarino-Slemmons

[Zooziis]

hehehe...I'm sure you know how I voted. But I wanted to comment that the tapered pins on my presses were engineered as well. They are not available in the machining world. There are straight pins and there are tapered pins that taper the whole length of the pin, but "they" don't make them the way ours are, so I actually have those custom made for me. They cost more then stock pins from the machining outfitters but I felt they were worth it and I'm glad that others agree. Thank you for the positive feedback.

[Frogsongstudio]

I've never seen Jim Moore presses. Is there a link?

I like both the post and base style but I tend to use the base style most because it seems easier.

I've never tried any of the tong or hinge styles.

[wolfotter]

I've never seen Jim Moore presses. Is there a link?

I like both the post and base style but I tend to use the base style most because it seems easier.

I've never tried any of the tong or hinge styles.

www.toolsforglass.com
click on store and then click on check out the new tools!

[Beadbug]

Only I would read the press style as Thong style. I had to read several posts to realize it was tong. I kept on thinking I was missing some special type of press. Maybe I should give up reading posts untill I wake up more.

Tracy

[Just Nancy]

I like guide pins. I have a different brand with pins. Also a friend wants to try to make a press for me. If I can figure out a shape, he thinks it should have guide pins ~ and he doesn't do glass.

Tracey,
That makes me think. I'd better go get my caffeine. I may be answering the wrong questions. :lol:

[TessKay]

www.toolsforglass.com
click on store and then click on check out the new tools!

OK- am i missing something? Wheres the pictures of them?

[TessKay]

44806

These are cool!
http://www.web-access.net/~tapcraft/

[Abacus Beads]

I really like the post style, I have just about every press made and the presses that need a base get left on the shelf, It's too much of a hassel to try and line the bottom of the press with the top of the press. The hinge style breaks the release to often. I REALLY like the trio presses It saves alot of space bu keeping the sizes together and not having to hunt for a larger or smaller one.
Liz R

[wolfotter]

OK- am i missing something? Wheres the pictures of them?

Not sure what is up with his website but here is a photo of the 1" lentil.
44885

All of his tools are made of steel and bronze!
You can also view some of his tools at olympic color rods....... i believe that their website is www.glasscolor.com

His spiral press is awesome..........

Andrea

[TessKay]

Thanks Andrea! Ok- I can see the quality in those. They are awesome for simple shapes, but what about more complicated ones?

[Debi]

I personally like all of the tools for various reasons. I would like the post type tool better if the post itself was a little shorter.

[Moth]

I like the post style. I think having a big bulky base is a detriment for someone with a small workspace. Not to mention the expense. No thanks.

[Lara]

I'm so surprised at how many people like the post presses. I really dislike the posts. I like the base one so much better. When you have the post ones, you have many bulky presses on your table, but with the base, 1 small base and small parts for it. I like that I can have a bit of movement with the base presses. I ALWAYS break the bead release with the post presses.

[Just Nancy]

Lara,
I'm confused how having a base press (assuming you use the base with it) takes up less space than the ones with posts?

Not trying to be thick here. I'm still dying to love a press. I can't seem to find the money to give a base press a try. Everyone I knew had the post ones to offer plus the game here. I'm wondering if you hold the secret to my success or if I'm just hopeless.

[Lara]

My base is 2x the size of the small press. The press is about 1-1.5 inches by 3 inches. So I have a base about 5x5 (guessing at the sizes here). So each extra press I have takes up about 1.5x3 on my work station. The pin presses I have are each 3x3 inches. They, in total, take up more space.

Of course they are all stacked on top of each other in a corner.

I like the ease of use of the base presses. I don't have to line up the pins. The base has an entire back and side that you use to line up and I just find it easier.