interesting thread. I recently started looking into wax as well (due to a re-newed interest in vaping and these new wax liquidizer products). Bought 1 inch wide hair straighteners and went the 'press' route. I'll throw out the random info I've been amassing to date
Like others have said; focus on your yields (increasing) and forget the claims online. As you progress, gleam ideas from videos and forums that you can add to your evolving method to improve results. In no time at all you'll be waxing up a storm
From what I've read (and seen online) - most schools of extraction support quality starting product (more bud and less leaf).
Though from there it seems to diverge a bit into different schools. Some (thinking of the 'press' method more here) like using fresh buds (live rosin), some partially dried buds(2-3 days), others dried buds (1 - 2 week) or cured bud. Others again, like mixing these all up
and also mixing strains together when extracting.
Then, for blasting, theres the 'grind' (seems most like 'broken up' as opposed to 'ground to dust').
Freezing the product before extraction seems to be a winner (so many recommend it). With Alcohol 'quick washes' the alcohol is chilled down to these temps too (again to help extraction).
Thats about as far as I've got. I'm still just experimenting with the above ideas to see what works for me. I might even try a laborious method, like: Take quality buds and extract as high quality bubble hash first. Then, press. Just to see.