Looking for a decent Dryer....opinions please!

[BRANDYWINE]

I'm looking at replacing my 20 year old conveyor dryer.  I have been considering the M&R Economax D or the Fusion.  Also considering the Black Body AIR 2408 or Air 3610.  On my backburner is the Vastex BR3-V30.
I would like opinions as to these dryers especially if you own one!  I'm a plastisol printer now, but may like to start water based printing in the future.  Would like to know which one could handle that as well.

[Ross_S]

Do you have the option for a gas dryer at your location?  I believe the ones you listed are electric.

[mk162]

See if you can go gas, even with an LP tank.  It should save you money over electric and give you a better dryer.

[BRANDYWINE]

I'm not looking at doing a gas dryer, just electric.

[jvanick]

need more info...

auto or manual press?

what kind of production numbers are looking to accomplish...

any performance/poly work (where the temperature requirements are quite stringent)

how much waterbase/discharge work are you planning on doing?  real production of it, or just playing around?

That will all help us to help you.

[Frog]

need more info...

auto or manual press?

what kind of production numbers are looking to accomplish...

any performance/poly work (where the temperature requirements are quite stringent)

how much waterbase/discharge work are you planning on doing?  real production of it, or just playing around?

That will all help us to help you.

Don't forget that probably most of our waterbase/discharge shops here started with plastisol, and then "played around" before going all in. One wouldn't want to outgrow a new dryer too soon. Just like with a press, over buy if possible.

[BRANDYWINE]

need more info...

auto or manual press?

what kind of production numbers are looking to accomplish...

any performance/poly work (where the temperature requirements are quite stringent)

how much waterbase/discharge work are you planning on doing?  real production of it, or just playing around?

That will all help us to help you.

Don't forget that probably most of our waterbase/discharge shops here started with plastisol, and then "played around" before going all in. One wouldn't want to outgrow a new dryer too soon. Just like with a press, over buy if possible.

I have an 8 color manual press.  I do poly now and use a flash dryer to cure those.......I don't do enough to use my conveyor dryer.
I will probably be playing around with water based for a little while to get used to it.  I would like to add it to my production eventually.
I'm thinking about maybe 500 water based shirts a week at this point...not a lot.

[Ross_S]

I think if you disregard a gas dryer your going to create a lot of bottlenecks when trying to print waterbase discharge.  I'm sure if you run a search on this site you can find more than enough info about waterbase inks and what dryer they are using.  Just my 2 cents

[kingscreen]

Check out the new Powerhouse II from Workhorse:
http://workhorseproducts.com/conveyor-dryers/

[im_mcguire]

Check out the new Powerhouse II from Workhorse:
http://workhorseproducts.com/conveyor-dryers/

Im taking a look at this at ISS, I am really interested in this guy.  Im in the market for 2 new dryers at the moment.

[Frog]

I have an 8 color manual press.  I do poly now and use a flash dryer to cure those.......I don't do enough to use my conveyor dryer.

Wow, I could not imagine doing this if I had a real dryer available. Even for a few. Flash dryers are notoriously unreliable for optimum full cure, and poly is kinda' special as it is.

[jvanick]

I have an 8 color manual press.  I do poly now and use a flash dryer to cure those.......I don't do enough to use my conveyor dryer.

Wow, I could not imagine doing this if I had a real dryer available. Even for a few. Flash dryers are notoriously unreliable for optimum full cure, and poly is kinda' special as it is.

totally agree.   Curing with a flash for any sort of production environment is asking for trouble...

from the options you mentioned in your first post... I would consider the Fusion over the Economax, but really you want something with good air circulation...

the Workhorse Powerhouse series tend to warm the air in the chamber as much as the garment, so I would really put that high on your consideration list.

Quite honestly tho, I wouldn't trust any sort of production environment for waterbase/discharge without a gas dryer to regulate temperatures and allow for maximum time in the heat.  Those inks really need to cook at the correct temperature for the correct time to fully crosslink into the fabric.  Sure you can use catalysts to aid curing, but you really are taking chances with customer goods.

[tonyt79]

See if you can go gas, even with an LP tank.  It should save you money over electric and give you a better dryer.

Going with an LP Tank would require about what size tank? Curious, don't mean to change the subject of the thread


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[Prints Charming]

If you still want  electric I have a workhorse 2608 and black body air 2408 for sale. Both are used but in gradation shape. We upgraded to work horse 4217. Call me 3615330593

[JeridHill]

We sell the BBC series and we have a Air3610 we use here for direct to garment inks, which are waterbased. It works well for our needs but I haven't used them for screen printed waterbased inks. If needed, I can get you some feedback on that combo.