CafeenMan, I only use the vertical presses (95% of the time) and individual magnets with the plates. I have some home made presses that I made out of ply plus I use the plastic ones. I haven't had any of the problems that you mentioned with the plastic ones available, but then again its been about 4 years since I have ordered them and maybe they have changed. I made my ply presses taller than the plastic ones so I could fit larger pieces under them. I haven't found any uses for the other accessories available.
2 Piece