Heat Press

[LuckyFlyinROUSH]

So, I want a cheap-ass heat press to play around with. I mean...a heat press just should be a heating element...so even a cheap $180 ebay one should work right? Just playing right now, not looking to do serious production, as our main focus is on 500+ quantities.

Anyone have any cheap ones they've used before?

[blue moon]

So, I want a cheap-ass heat press to play around with. I mean...a heat press just should be a heating element...so even a cheap $180 ebay one should work right? Just playing right now, not looking to do serious production, as our main focus is on 500+ quantities.

Anyone have any cheap ones they've used before?

think of the cheap one as the learning tool. You'll find out what you like and what you don't and buy the next press with all the features you need. The cheap ones will work, but are not a professional grade tools and will thus come with quirky issues you'll have to work around, but should be usable. I do know somebody who bought one though and could not use it as it was not good enough. . .

I'd look for a used better quality model. . .

pierre

[Inkworks]

I'd look for a used better quality model. . .

pierre

^^this^^ or end up buying twice.

[GraphicDisorder]

Cheap ones probably wont recover heat fast or have cold spots in them, may not be idea to learn with as you may just get super frustrated. We have a pretty nice one and even it isn't as good as it should be. 

[LuckyFlyinROUSH]

Really? I figured its a heating element, easy to create heat....Just about everything probably has some Chinese heating element in it?

[Admiral]

Really? I figured its a heating element, easy to create heat....Just about everything probably has some Chinese heating element in it?

Actually we had a Stahls that we had to go through a few weeks or so of trouble with - upgraded to 220v, didn't recover heat fast enough.  Then they gave us a larger heat element for it and no heat loss when pressing.

[Inkworks]

I've seen too many "top" brands break at the main swing shaft or other mechanism so I went with what I know. Hix. Great local support and I know what I'm getting.

[mimosatexas]

All 3 of my heat pressed are analog GeoKnights that I purchased used.  They are all decades old and built like tanks, and geo knight still stocks all the replacement parts for them despite their age.  Dealing with them as a company has been AWESOME when I have needed help with stuff (replaced a thermostat and heat control on one and got a custom sized platen for another).  Problem with the cheapo ebay units is they break quickly, are terrible at holding temp, have inconsistent heat across the element, and have zero support.  You will find countless complaints about all the cheapo versions on other forums and by googling around.

the two that always seem to get good reviews are geo knight and hotronix, based on my research.  The hix models I have messed with in person reminded me of the old National heat presses, both in looks and build quality (which sucked).  Not to say the newer ones suck, as the ones I have seen were used and older.

There are absolutely TONS of used heat presses on craigslist, and you can find awesome deals all the time.  My 16x20 geo knight is flawless and was $100...

[Frog]

the two that always seem to get good reviews are geo knight and hotronix, based on my research.

Interestingly, it was the Stahls Hotronix with which more than one member here had actual structural failure.

[cleveprint]

our stahls hotronix actually snapped at the swing shaft. the machine was a total piece of garbage from the day we got it. spacers falling out, constant metal shavings falling out of every joint in the damn thing. threw it in the dumpster and was happy afterwards.

now the 20 year old "no name" ones was have work flawlessly. one of them is an HIX but the other two i have no clue what brand they are. they turn on, work perfect and never lose heat. knock on wood.

[Inkworks]

the two that always seem to get good reviews are geo knight and hotronix, based on my research.

Interestingly, it was the Stahls Hotronix with which more than one member here had actual structural failure.

yep, I wasn't gonna name names, but well, I've seen a few of them in 2 pieces.

Someone with a lot of experience heat-pressing can work around a machine with uneven or sparatic heat, newbies should really have the best press possible to eliminate variables.

[Frog]

the two that always seem to get good reviews are geo knight and hotronix, based on my research.

Interestingly, it was the Stahls Hotronix with which more than one member here had actual structural failure.

yep, I wasn't gonna name names, but well, I've seen a few of them in 2 pieces.

Someone with a lot of experience heat-pressing can work around a machine with uneven or sporadic heat, newbies should really have the best press possible to eliminate variables.

Not with digital transfers. I like to think that I know my way around, but in my junkyard collection, I have an air Stahls with a funky heat platen that will do vinyl names and numbers for teams all day long, but not a CLC or Inkjet image.

[Inkworks]

Yeah that was just an offhand vinyl transfer type of remark, for high tolerance stuff you need a good press, but the sentiment still stands that a rookie shouldn't be messing around with a crappy press for any transfers or sublimation, it adds complexity that can be very discouraging. I tell the same thing to anyone looking at hand crank pad printers over pneumatic ones.

[easyscore]

I'm glad I came across this post. The company I just started working at wants to do team orders with numbering and possibly transfers as well. How long does it usually take to do a jersey? How many pieces an hour are you guys producing? For the ones doing a lot of team orders do you have more than one heat press?

[Racer Tees]

I used one of these units for years.  Literally was pressing shirts with it when I was 13-14 and my uncle still has it.  Made many a dollar with this thing.