Otter, I totally understand your thinking about bead presses. Anyyone can start with a mass produced pressed bead mold but the fun in those is how they individualize it. Glass color, textures, and as Patti said manipulation..etc.
I also love and understand a preference for shaping tools, much more freedom in the making of the base bead.
I really do not think I could have enough of them at this point in my glass bead making life.
Lorraine