Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison
We're new to theshirtboard, so I'm not even sure I'm posting correctly. We are an established screen printing company, running a range of types and sizes of shirt orders daily. We're in our 30th year now, and we have an older Lawson Apollo that has served us well (and still is) but we need to upgrade to a more modern machine. We need at least 8 heads, and 10 would be better, but our space is limited. The footprint of the Apollo is 10' 8 inches, and with a little ingenuity we could possibly go as large as 14 feet. We do have a chiller, compressor, etc., but notice that most of the modern, faster machines are servo driven. What machines in the mid to upper price range should we be looking in to? Are there any reputable dealers that we could contact regarding reliable and trustworthy used machines?
Since you already have a chiller and compressor, the anatol volt that was mentioned kind of would be pointless for you.
One thing I'd like to ask the forum for help with, is to help us find a reputable dealer in used equipment, hopefully in the LA area since we're located in San Diego (Oceanside).
Thanks all for the welcome! These forums are so helpful to all of us. We currently run 23x31 screens on our older Lawson Apollo. We mostly use it for 100 shirts or more, whether it's one or more colors. We do a lot of multiple color work, though, and one of our problems is printing simulated process color on our six color press when the shirt color is dark, or worse, black. We've been very successful doing large military orders with many colors, but it's been difficult, and having at least an 8 or 10 color press would help tremendously. Space is limited, at least for now, and the press can't be more than 14 - 15 feet, but really 12 would be more comfortable. We do go to the ISS show in Long Beach...close the shop and take everyone. The guys really enjoy a little field trip, and it's amazing the amount of information they absorb and bring back to the workplace. One thing I'd like to ask the forum for help with, is to help us find a reputable dealer in used equipment, hopefully in the LA area since we're located in San Diego (Oceanside). We may end up buying new, but I'm interested in seeing what kind of options might be out there for a good, reliable used press. I'd like to spend 25k - 35k, but realize we may be up around 65k - 90k for the really state of the art cool presses, like MHM. So...M&R, Workhorse (kind of like the Sabre, but the machine itself seems a little light on construction and we plan to print the hell out of it). Other ideas that might fit into our shop?