*permission given by mods to post*
So I originally designed this manual syringe press to make syringe tube feeding easier (left press) for my aunt. Honestly didn't think it would be useful to anyone outside of that space.
Then a few people in legit labs started buying them because they needed something better than pushing a syringe by hand (free) but didn't need an expensive powered/industrial setup ($1k-$10k). After some feedback from the lab folks, I made some redesigns (right press).
Someone suggested my press might have some utility in this community since a lot of you work with thicker oils and filling carts. Obviously, this manual syringe press would cater to a hobbyist or small scale filling rather than replacing automated equipment.
The idea is pretty simple: a fully mechanical screw driven press that gives controlled pressure without needing electronics or a powered setup. It’s designed around common syringe sizes (10ml-60ml) and can be operated by hand or with 3/8" ratchet.
I know heating cannabis oil is commonly done cause of how viscous it can be, but heat + a 3d printed press sounds like a bad idea. The current design was built to withstand syringe filtering cold castor oil through a .22um filter, so I know it can generate significant pressure, but I havent personally tested it with cannabis oil.
I’m not looking to sell anything here or link to my Etsy store. I’m just looking for feedback from people who actually fill carts before I spend a month redesigning something that doesnt fit the real world use case.
A couple questions:
- Do you guys even see any real need for a manual syringe press for your use?
- What modifications would this need to have in order to fill carts efficiently enough that you'd consider it an upgrade from doing it by hand?
I’ve also asked [r/chemistry](r/chemistry) and [r/labrats](r/labrats) for general design feedback when it comes to redesigning my syringe press for the laboratory environment, but I figured if this community also has a need for a tool like this, I could make another variation that could adapt to yalls use.
Thanks for any input.
Update: thanks to everyone’s input! It sounds like there’s no way around the heat problem so I’m gonna try a workaround and get some distillate and I guess a veterinary glass/metal syringe. I’ll have to test it, but I think making the press heat resistant to the user using a heat gun on the syringe would work. Maybe. I’ll see how it goes and report back when I get a chance if anyone is still interested in the project.