A good press?

Tyrko · November 21st, 2010, 04:00 PM

At the risk of sparking a free for all ... lol

I was wondering about Manual presses? Right now I do mainly embroidery, and I want a nice setup for screen printing. I plan on buying everything new, cause then I can weasel in some free training with it. Considering I know almost nothing about screen printing.

Over the years, I have been silently observing screen presses at different shows. ISS, SGIA, ones like that. I almost bought a setup from Brown this spring. (The sales guy was really cute

) Although I haven't heard much about Brown presses, either good or bad? Are they newer on the market? They seems very un mentioned.

In talking to a few people, it seems like Vastex or M&R seem to be the consensus for starter presses. I have no objections to spending a little more money for a better press, even if its a little big for me, hopefully I will grow into it.

Is there any brands I should be looking at as well? What should I watch out for? What are the things I really do/don't need.

Thanks for any input!
--Tina

srimonogramming · November 21st, 2010, 04:45 PM

We have a vastex v2000hd 4/4 with a numbering attachment and it's a fine manual press. There are a few weird things with our Vastex that I kind of shake my head at engineeringly speaking, but they work just fine. There are some things that I would change as far as the way the platens are designed and maybe a few very minor things that bug me, but on the issues that really matter, the Vastex is great. It holds registration very well, it's built to last and it's very simple.

I have always thought that the Antec Legend was the best manual on the market. I saw the Anatol Thunder at a show recently and I must say I was impressed. I can appreciate things that are very sound engineering wise and it's kind of a thing of beauty when you really look at how it works.

Honestly, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Antec Legend, Vastex V2000HD, Anatol Thunder or M&R Chameleon. I think there might be one of those 4 that is better than the rest, but not by much. There are probably a few more manufacturers that could compete with these presses I mentioned but I haven't seen them up close or heard that much about them through the forums. I do know that those 4 I mentioned are really good presses and will not disapoint even the most critical screen printer.

Binkspot · November 21st, 2010, 05:01 PM

We run a 6/4 Sidewinder with side clamps which has been great for garments and a Vastex 2000 4/4. I have found the Vastex a more versital press that can be adapted for different jobs. We use the Vastex Digit number system, hat presses and several vacume pallets with it to name a few. We also make custom pallets for jobs that are easy to fit to the press. The press and extras are buget priced. The only thing I would change would be we should have purchased a six or eight color.

Tyrko · November 21st, 2010, 08:18 PM

Thank you everyone for your input.

The more I read/research, the more I think I am going to go with a Vastex 8/8 press. With the 54" Dryer.

Another reason being, is Vastex's warehouse is only about a 2 hour drive from me, I can easily pick up the press myself, which will save a ton on shipping. They offer free classes too on printing, which I like.

My next question is, should I opt for an electric dryer or gas? I am in an old machine shop, so there is a scary amount of electricity in this building. My brother tells me that there is a 1,000 amp 3-phase service in this building (whatever that means) I just know its a lot. I also have gas. The gas dryers seem to be more expensive, but in the long run is gas cheaper?

Binkspot · November 21st, 2010, 08:36 PM

We are very happy with our Econored II 54" dryer but it does eat alot of electric.

srimonogramming · November 21st, 2010, 09:22 PM

I'd personally go with gas if you already have gas service available. I don't really know all that much about the differences between gas and electric dryers but I do know that most of the big timers use gas. We have a gas dryer with electric radiant panels and it's very versatile in that we can cure 1000's of shirts per hour on a 48" belt or do discharge and wb inks. It's a beast but it's old as hell and I don't think they make dryers like that anymore with full forced air gas and electric radiant panels but I could be wrong about that. What little research I've done on dryers turned up either gas or electric, not any dryers that do both. Maybe someone with dryer experience will enlighten us on the differences between gas and electric.

bigfranksports · November 21st, 2010, 09:25 PM

I have both a Jennings and Antec. Both machines are build solid and have great tech support. If you get a Jennings, you will have unrealistic support from the owner (Roger) and he will walk you right though whatever problem you have with your press. Antec - IMHO, the best micro registration available. too bad they don't make an automatic.

Frank