Down to Vastex and M&R

[Hey Monkey]

Hey folks...

About to pull the trigger on a new manual press. Vastex 2000 6color 4station or an M&R. I was settled on a Kruzer but I like that the Vastex can upgrade colors/stations so maybe one of the slightly higher end M&R presses? Moving to automatic is not a concern as I will stay a manual shop. Thanks so much for your advice and opinions!

[GraphicDisorder]

Have products from both, more than happy with both. 

[Denis Kolar]

Those are the great presses to choose from. Just out of curiosity, why Antec Legend is not on the list?
Was it eliminated, or it was never on the list?

That press is maybe the lightest press to operate, very easy to turn and set up. Easy to turn gets helpful on a long runs, your hands will thank you.
Easy to set up and holds registration for a loooooong time. I have a 23 year old press that runs like a champ.
I believe there is a pretty good deal on Digitsmith on the used on (In florida)

Good luck, you will not make a mistake with any of those presses.

[Hey Monkey]

Those are the great presses to choose from. Just out of curiosity, why Antec Legend is not on the list?
Was it eliminated, or it was never on the list?

That press is maybe the lightest press to operate, very easy to turn and set up. Easy to turn gets helpful on a long runs, your hands will thank you.
Easy to set up and holds registration for a loooooong time. I have a 23 year old press that runs like a champ.
I believe there is a pretty good deal on Digitsmith on the used on (In florida)

Good luck, you will not make a mistake with any of those presses.

Hey there!

It was on the list. And whenever I would read about Vastex and M&R the Antec would come up for that reason you mentioned. I have some good (somewhat) local dealers for both Vastex and M&R which had steered me towards them. That and the claims of great quality and service. Not that Antec doesn't have that I just seem to hear about it regarding Vastex and M&R  at every turn.

[GraphicDisorder]

Those are the great presses to choose from. Just out of curiosity, why Antec Legend is not on the list?
Was it eliminated, or it was never on the list?

That press is maybe the lightest press to operate, very easy to turn and set up. Easy to turn gets helpful on a long runs, your hands will thank you.
Easy to set up and holds registration for a loooooong time. I have a 23 year old press that runs like a champ.
I believe there is a pretty good deal on Digitsmith on the used on (In florida)

Good luck, you will not make a mistake with any of those presses.

Hey there!

It was on the list. And whenever I would read about Vastex and M&R the Antec would come up for that reason you mentioned. I have some good (somewhat) local dealers for both Vastex and M&R which had steered me towards them. That and the claims of great quality and service. Not that Antec doesn't have that I just seem to hear about it regarding Vastex and M&R  at every turn.

Not that you will need much service/support on a manual press... but don't discount those 2 companies, they both provide great sales/service and will be there for you if you ever need them.

We have a Vastex Manual and while we barely ever use it anymore it was a great piece of equipment for us when we did. 

[Hey Monkey]

Excellent to hear. I will be talking with M&R today hopefully and go from there.

[bulldog]

I have a Kruzer and it's very nice. You get a lot of bang for your buck with that press. Like others have said, you won't go wrong with any choice.

[Hey Monkey]

I have a Kruzer and it's very nice. You get a lot of bang for your buck with that press. Like others have said, you won't go wrong with any choice.

I was pretty much dead set on a Kruzer. The Vastex started to appeal so I could upgrade colors/stations if I wanted. But I am and always will be a smaller shop so 6c 4s may be all I need.

[bulldog]

I have a Kruzer and it's very nice. You get a lot of bang for your buck with that press. Like others have said, you won't go wrong with any choice.

I was pretty much dead set on a Kruzer. The Vastex started to appeal so I could upgrade colors/stations if I wanted. But I am and always will be a smaller shop so 6c 4s may be all I need.

I'm curious as to why you always want to be a manual shop?

[tonyt79]

I have a vatex and love it. I looked at m&r but got a great deal on mine. I was Contemplating the Kruzer but I believe the v2000 is a better press. Even my sales rep told me the Kruzer was more entry level.

[Hey Monkey]

I'm curious as to why you always want to be a manual shop?

I have been a graphic designer for a long time. A few years ago I got burnt out. Bad. I needed a change. I wanted to make things with my hands again. I love pulling the squeegee, getting different textures and results with different pressures. Being able to make art again with my hands. Prince Ink Co. out of the VA are my inspirations. 

[bulldog]

I'm curious as to why you always want to be a manual shop?

I have been a graphic designer for a long time. A few years ago I got burnt out. Bad. I needed a change. I wanted to make things with my hands again. I love pulling the squeegee, getting different textures and results with different pressures. Being able to make art again with my hands. Prince Ink Co. out of the VA are my inspirations.

Nothing wrong with that. The only thing I can add is I never thought I'd be an auto shop either (for different reasons) but it looks like I'm going down that road sometime sooner than later. I wish when I started buying my equipment I would have bought more in mind with an auto. You never know, you might change your mind someday or get burnt out pulling a squeegee.

[sqslabs]

I just purchased a new manual for my shop, and after almost going with the Kruzer ended up with picking up a used Sidewinder with side clamps/air locks in great condition for 20% more.  I watched the Kruzer video and was impressed with the build quality and features for the price point, but for just a bit more the Sidewinder was just too tough to pass up. 

The main reason I went with M&R was for the pallet sharing capability with my auto.  I've had a Legend and a Rototex previous to this and they are both great machines as well.  Never used a Vastex, but I've heard good things about them.

As mentioned already, I'd take a look over at Digitsmith as there are some top notch used/refurbished manual presses on there right now.  Not taking anything away from the Kruzer, but depending on your budget you may be able to get a bit more bang for your buck buying used.

[Gilligan]

I have an Antec Legend 4/6 (color) sitting in storage right now.

Let me know if interested in used.

[IntegrityShirts]

I have been a graphic designer for a long time. A few years ago I got burnt out. Bad. I needed a change. I wanted to make things with my hands again. I love pulling the squeegee, getting different textures and results with different pressures. Being able to make art again with my hands. Prince Ink Co. out of the VA are my inspirations.

Same exact story for me. Started out with a Harco manual, then moved up to Antec because they're made here in VA, and now the Antec collects dust because the auto is all I use.

I wouldn't rule Antec out especially if you plan to stay manual, much lighter than more presses while build quality is really nice.