To buy or not to buy

[mhprinting]

Need some advice fellow screen printers!

I have a 2008 Workhorse point 1000 exposure unit.  It uses a 1000w halogen bulb.  I'm looking to upgrade to a 3140, but I'm not sure if it's worth it.  I'm currently using Textil PV and Kiwo poly-plus er for diazo.  Please keep in mind that I'm still new to the industry (2 years print experience and 1 year as a business owner).  I'm thinking about getting possibly a new 3140.  I've had bad experience with used equipment too many times  so I'm not sure if I would like to get one used. 

I'm currently burning pv at 2-5 minutes and diazo at 10-14 mins and this is with a new bulb.  Vacuum draw time is at 20-30 seconds.   The glass on the point 1000 gets too hot after burning multiple screens causing my screens to stick on the glass or my films sticking to the screen.  The glass completely lifts up when the screen is stuck so I put one hand lifting the screen from the tri lock frame and one on the glass.  I'm not a high volume shop and I almost always do simple to moderate spot color work with halftone prints from time to time (maybe once a week or once every two weeks).  I burn anywhere from 20-40 screens a week.  I got quoted by my local dealer for a new 3140 shipped and everything for $5600.  Is it worth it for me to buy it based on the information I've provided?  How long do you guys typically burn screens with the 3140? 

Thanks in advance for helping the newbie screen printer 

[Shanarchy]

I would still push to a used 3140. A lot of people are switching over to to LED. This is putting a lot of really nice 3140's on the used market.

If going new, I'd look hard at LED, as that seems to be the way the industry is going.

[GaryG]

We love our 3140 and for its place in the spectrum of exposure units it is a
great work horse. Screens will get a little hot. Using your pure photopolymer
will keep sticking to a minimum, but try a little baby powder. It works wonders,
especially in the summer. From 2-6 minutes here using Ulano QLT.

The $5.6k seems a little high, although ours was a 2011.

Can't go wrong- there are thousands out there I'm sure.

[Gilligan]

I have a used one, found out last week Pierre and I have the same unit!

I'd be willing to sell it.

[mhprinting]

Ah decisions decisions.  It's extremely difficult to decide!  Gil, I'll be pm'ing you.  I'm not sure if I want to go LED just yet.  At 6k+, it's a little much for what I need it for although the starlight is compact and I'm limited with space, but I can make do.  Here's my big question, will I actually see a noticeable difference in time and quality moving to a metal halide unit?  I'm using a pure photopolymer emulsion with times at 2-6 mins.

Thanks again guys

[Sbrem]

Personally, I've only used Arc Lamps (got it from President Lincoln) and MH. Metal Halide was pretty much king of the jungle until the new LED's starting coming out. The overall savings over time of the LED's has to be better than MH, but you'll definitely spend less on a used MH. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Steve

[blue moon]

That unit from Gillian is a phenomenal option. If I was in your shoes, I'd be all over it!

Pierre

[starchild]

Ah decisions decisions.  It's extremely difficult to decide!  Gil, I'll be pm'ing you.  I'm not sure if I want to go LED just yet.  At 6k+, it's a little much for what I need it for

Thanks again guys

I don't know why you feel you need to spend 6k+ to get into led..

Sent using Tapatalk

[ScreenFoo]

If you can get a 3140 for a decent price, I would replace that halogen immediately. 
If you can get ANY good MH lamp/unit for a decent price, I would replace that halogen immediately.

But for background, I've led a long hard life of crappy exposure lights before getting a decent MH... 
Now I can't go back to margarine.   

[Admiral]

Used 3140.

As for the screen and film sticking issue, you likely have to high of humidity.  Baby powder should help a lot, but eliminating as much water as possible from the screens would help more.  Screens can only be as dry as the relative humidity of the environment they are stored in. 

At that price of new I would go for LED not a MH..

[cbjamel]

Nice buy, just fyi. Not much can go wrong  with these as I have one. bulb, glass and blanket is about it.
http://forums.mrprint.com/classifieds.php?do=viewitem&itemid=1089

Shane

[mhprinting]

Thanks for the input guys!!  I had to redo my post because I came across a good post by a fellow member whether to go LED or MH.  From what I read, LED is the way to go, which is quite understandable given the facts I've read.  I've narrowed down my choices to these:

Vastex LED 2331-  Considering this since it's very affordable.  Only questions is if it'll fit the Tri-lock screen frame.
Vastex LED 4731-  Only if the tri-lock frame doesn't not fit.
M&R Starlight-  Been getting pushed my the sales rep to get it for the past 2 weeks lol.

The vastex units are more affordable on my end.  If I'm not mistaken, I think there's a price difference of a little over a thousand between the 4731 and the starlight

[jvanick]

You should add the Workhorse unit to your list for evaluation as well...

And yes, LED is totally the way to go, for so many reasons...

Disclaimer: extremely happy Starlight user here.

[TCT]

If you ever plan on using diazo emulsion, you may want to hold off on a LED unit. I have not personally used either unit, but the LED Light Speed and Starlight have been said to work with diazo. If you don't ever see the need for a diazo then you are probably good to go!

[jvieira]

Vastex LED 2331-  Considering this since it's very affordable.  Only questions is if it'll fit the Tri-lock screen frame.
Vastex LED 4731-  Only if the tri-lock frame doesn't not fit.

You will need the 4731 if you're using the tri-lock. It's a shame really