Today I am reviewing the DabPress Vortice Pollen Tumbler. Although it was sold as used, I expect it was a return or canceled order. The was no signs of use at all. All parts were clean and the bags unused.
Unboxing
The tumbler and all parts were packaged well. The machine was encased in hard foam.
The tumbler came with 6 bags, 2 of each: 220 micron,160, and 120. The bags appear to be well made, I saw no loose threads, etc. The drum unit is well construct and made with hard plastic ends a steel rods to give the bags shape when you stretch them over the drum unit. The bags have draw strings. there are also rubber bands that fit in grooves in the end plates of the drum. I personally found the draws strings not only unnecessary, they tended to hang down and drag on the bottom tray, were the resin glands collect. After fitting a couple of the bags, I decided to cut off all but about an inch of the stings.
The control unit is well marked and functions smoothly. The speed range is well thought out although the fastest speed seems unnecessary. However, with continued use I may find it useful in certain situatons. The body on the machine is made of Aluminum, not plastic and is very sturdy! Fit and finish is excellent! The cover is made of glass with a metal handle and frame.
Setup
The bags are a bit difficult to mount correctly on the drum. This is partly due to the limitations of my old hands, but not entirely. I personally found the draws strings not only unnecessary, they tended to hang down and drag on the bottom tray, where the resin glands collect. After fitting a couple of the bags, I decided to cut off all but about an inch of the stings.I’m considering asking DabPress if they would sell me another drum unit so I could have 2 bags mounted at all times and just switch drums.
There are also 5 plastic balls that are to be placed in the drum with your plant material. The are actually light weigh and are just enough to knock loose glands sticking to the bag. They probably also help knock the glands loose from the buds. I was concerned that they would also increase the plant matter contamination, but I see no sign that that is so.
Test runs
I ran a few test runs using old bud I had in storage. I didn’t weigh the material, I just wanted to see it work. I used the 160 micron bag. I actually collected quite a bit of kief! This had me excited to do a run with the trim/small buds I just harvested of Night Queen.
The official test run is with 50 grams of Night Queen small buds. First run is 10 minutes at one notch over 1/2 speed. I collected the kief and put it in a jar. The amount was small so I didn’t seigh it yet, I’d say .5 grams. Second run is 20 minutes and produed another .75 grams. I weighed it this time. So far 1.25 grams. I’ll run it for an hour this time.
One hour run produced another gram. Looks like maybe a small amount of plant matter, but quite acceptable for me. And remember, this is from a 120 micro screen. I’m going to run the same material in the 160 nest. I’ll store this material until a later date to do that. Changing screens is a bit of a pain. Not terrible, but not easy for my old hands.
I’ll run a batch of bud next. Now here’s a debate I’m having. Run the buds as is, or break them down into smaller pieces. The thinking being the smaller pieces might give a better yield by exposing more surface area. I think I’ll just run a batch of buds as is first. Think I’ll use 100 grams and use the 120 screen that’s on the machine now. I’ll update this after I run the buds.
Like:
Honestly, I like most everything about this machine! It’s quiet, simple, well constructed from durable materials. almost no learning curve! easy to clean, easy to access the the kief for removal.
Dislikes
This is being picky actually! I don’t like the scraper that came with the machine. It is a somewhat soft plastic, I’d like something harder, like plexiglass. And glands stick to the edge, likely from electrostatic charge I suspect. not a lot sticks but I’d like something more neutral. The screening bags could be improved to make them easier to mount.
Final thoughts
I couldn’t be happier with this purchase! It does exactly what I wanted it to do. Maybe a 90 micron bag would be nice. however, I’m not that picking. I’ve smoked hash from many places. Think about how real hashish has made for centuries. I’m sure there is not only plant matter in it, but likely other stuff I jsut don’t want to know about. And do you think people living in deserts and semi arid places are washing their hands at any time in the process? I highly doubt it! So I don’t care if a little plant matter is in my sift, it will have no affect at all. I don’t care if it’s
“full melt”, I’m not trying to do dabs lol! What I want is that old school taste because that’s what drew me to hash in the first place, and from the tiny sample I’ve tried, that’s what I’m going to get from the final product.
Who is this machine for? anyone with an interest in hash or even rosin. You could hand screen the kief on a finer screen if that’s what your looking for. You could press it as is for rosin. What this machine is as a time saver. For people like me it is also a pain saver, I couldn’t stand for a long period of time and the repetitive motion of manual screening is hard on my hands and shoulders. So for the cost of a quality set of manual screens, I’ve got a way to make hash!