i have not tried the soil block makers but soil blocks work well so it sounds good. i cant recomend the newspaper pot makers.tried that and the seedlings didnt grow and eventualy turned yellow.i suspect denitrifying bacteria feeding on the paper was the cause
as to the 55 i fear you would have trouble with mold and fungus.i use one of my many tanks as a rooting tank filled part way with lite soil. any and every cutting goes in there befor it goes to the compost. many that are eager rooters survive and i think more would make it if i used rooting hormones.but i keep a fairly large hole open in the lid at each end for air and mist daily

I ordered one last week. I really want to like it so I hope it works out. I will be starting my stuff much later than I am used to as I always jump the gun.

I have a small one I made, it is 1 1/4 inch round diameter by 1 1/4 inch tall. This is my second year using it. Right now I am starting a few trial seeds in worm castings, so far so good for lettuce and Tatsoi. Anyway I used it last year and liked the ease of transplanting. Just dibble a hole and drop in the block then water. I don't know about all plants doing better with blocks but the small seeded were fun. Make sure you practice, you need the soil the right consistency. Watering was different than 72's for me. I just placed them in flats without starter pots and sprayed sparingly with a small hand unit.

Curt