Time for a new dryer...

[jvanick]

We're outpacing our old beater Mercury dryer, and the temperature control seems to be wonky... I replaced the old Athena control with an Omron digital unit, but that seems to have made matters worse... of course I might be running things wrong... anybody have any comments on that?  Maybe I should try maxing out the temperature on the control and just use the belt speed to adjust cure temps???   

Basically if we slow down or change production, we'll either get a shirt coming out undercured or scorched.  (temp gun and donut probe both confirm this too...  temperature will vary from 380 on the high end to 315 on the low end... and anywhere between... really frustrating.

Trying to figure out what I should do...

There's a used 36"wide 6ft chamber Maxicure (older one with the dial-based temperature controller) available... would have to convert from 3phase to 1phase, however I have an electronics/electrician friend who has looked at the schematics and say that this is not a major project (would have to buy 2 new relays/mercury switches).

Or???  Maybe go new?

Considering the Vastex BigRed 30 or Workhorse 3011.... anything else in the 6-7k new range worth considering???

Budget is max of 8k, crated & delivered.

We print lots of plastisol and more and more waterbase...

feeding it from our ancient javelin... max print speed we've ever achieved was 300/hr... but would be nice if the dryer could keep up if we are printing on the manual at the same time.

[mk162]

if possible, avoid electric.  they are more expensive to run and it's not as easy to set your temps as gas.

even if you have to get a propane tank installed, it might be cheaper than electric in the long haul...look into it.

[jvanick]

I do have natural gas in the shop area... hmmm..

not sure if I can fit a full sized gas dryer in there tho...

I've got 12ft of length without getting too cramped.

[mk162]

you can always go hybrid too, gas with IR bump panels in front.

the person to ask...Winston.

[blue moon]

I do have natural gas in the shop area... hmmm..

not sure if I can fit a full sized gas dryer in there tho...

I've got 12ft of length without getting too cramped.

M&R Heatwave is gas operated and will run circles around the little one or two panel electric dryers. With the money available, you could put half of it down, keep $4K and probably have less than $200/month payment. Or, throw in the other $4k and pay less then $100 per month. Your electric bill savings will more than cover that!

pierre

[Underbase37]

Go with gas, especially if doing more WB, just my 2cents for what its worth.

Murphy37

[tonypep]

Should fit. They can customize infeed/outfeed

[GraphicDisorder]

Go gas, huge savings I bet on your electric bill.  I think our Gas Dryer drinks less than $1 a hour. 

[jsheridan]

I do have natural gas in the shop area... hmmm..

not sure if I can fit a full sized gas dryer in there tho...

I've got 12ft of length without getting too cramped.

If you have a stub in your space and a meter on the wall then all you need to do is call the gas company and have it turned on.

If you have a stub out of the ground next to the building then you'll need to contact the gas company for a meter and new service, they will come out and check the site, give you a 'plan' that you use to acquire a gas line instal permit from the city. Once the plumber intalls the gas line, the city passes the permit the gas company comes out, installs the meter and you hook up to your dryer.

Do all this now as it can take a few weeks. While doing that call your local M&R rep and get you a mini sprint. Should hit your door in 3-5 weeks.

[jvanick]

Gas line is already in place ... (we have a natural gas warehouse heater)... and shockingly, where it comes into the shop is almost exactly in line with where the dryer would live.

gonna start thinking about a new gas dryer.. but gonna keep an eye on digitsmith for a used one too...  would rather not lease...

-J

[GraphicDisorder]

Gas line is already in place ... (we have a natural gas warehouse heater)... and shockingly, where it comes into the shop is almost exactly in line with where the dryer would live.

gonna start thinking about a new gas dryer.. but gonna keep an eye on digitsmith for a used one too...  would rather not lease...

-J

I think Alan saved enough on his electricity savings that it paid for his dryer.  So something to consider there.

[jvanick]

remember that we're still a 'garage' printer...  many weeks, we only print for 15-20 hours total...

half of me would love to figure out what's wrong with the current dryer until we get a commercial space, but it's starting to hold us up.

[Baron265]

Give me a call. Maybe I can help.

[Croft]

I bought a used Radicure 36" ( its approx 5" wide by 11.5' long)  4 panel for around $5000 and really like it, its faster than my old one and a small auto and manual can run on it at the same time. I have no gas and with propane making such a huge jump in price I'm glad I didn't go that way.
It was 3 phase and was converted to single, that was no big problem all the pieces I needed were bought locally. Only issue you might have is hydo , it jumps to approx 80-90 amps in single phase.  I must say the Hydro isn't that bad , I run it 8+ hours daily +compressor, 3 spots , shop hydro and my hydro bill iare around $450 month average.

[244]

remember that we're still a 'garage' printer...  many weeks, we only print for 15-20 hours total...

half of me would love to figure out what's wrong with the current dryer until we get a commercial space, but it's starting to hold us up.

I know Sam Wildt is wanting a larger dryer so why don't you call him and see if he will sell you his Heatwave?