New to the auto world... jumping in head first!!

[rockerdude]

I've been a manual shop for around 9 years and just bought basically a complete shop from a local guy that is retiring!

96' gauntlet revolver, 16' dryer, compressor, chiller, exposure unit, newmans... everything including the inks!!

I guess I'm going to be asking a lot of questions in the near future. I pick everything up the first week of December.
Still waiting on the reply from my leasing agent as to if they are going to provide 3 phase for the compressor. It is in my meter, they have their electrician coming out in the morning to get a quote on running it through a wall and to put in a new 200 amp panel.
I guess my first question is this... I'm getting a sullair E6 10 hp screw compressor with the deal that is 3 phase.. if It's a no go from the landlord on 3 phase....
Option 1... With a 10 hp screw compressor, what size 3 phase converter would I need to buy?
Option 2... What single phase comp.. will be good for the press. It calls for 5 hp 25cfm's. I've been looking and that combo is hard to find. I can find 7.5 horse at 23 cfm local for cheapish. Does the press actually NEED 25 or is that best case scenario?
I'm running 3/4 in. Rapidair Max air lines this week!
Any info would be great!

Anything I need to know about...as far as how things are now verses how things are gonna be?
I guess.. did your business model change much after going auto?

Also.. sorry in advance, if I start getting on your nerves with all the stupid questions...

[Nation03]

Congrats! This has been my first year with an auto, and it's great. Even an older auto will do wonders. In terms of compressor size, you might be able to get away with 23cfms, but if you're running a job that requires all the heads to print it might not be enough. That being said, I'm pretty sure they over estimate the air requirements to be on the safe side.

I'm not sure if my business model changed so much. It just gave me the ability to compete (price wise) on larger jobs that I normally wouldn't have a chance on. I still print a good amount on the manual because of restrictions of my auto, but it has still alleviated a lot of pain from doing everything manually. 

[rockerdude]

Thanks man! I'm gonna give m&r a call here in a bit to see what they say.

[244]

Thanks man! I'm gonna give m&r a call here in a bit to see what they say.

How many colors is the machine and what is your expected production rate?

[rockerdude]

Hi Rich,
We've met a few times at the Indy show. I forgot to mention its the 10/8 with the Omni-uni flash and honestly anything above and better than my 6/6 manual... is gonna be like heaven!
Right now..  I get about 8-10 - 1000+ piece orders a year (consistently for about 7 years now) and they just about kill me!
I've truely been ready for an auto for a few years, but have been holding out to pay cash for an M&R.
This press is just a stepping stone!

[RICK STEFANICK]

A 7.5 single phase, 2 stage  will hold that press just fine running 7 colors wide open.

[244]

Hi Rich,
We've met a few times at the Indy show. I forgot to mention its the 10/8 with the Omni-uni flash and honestly anything above and better than my 6/6 manual... is gonna be like heaven!
Right now..  I get about 8-10 - 1000+ piece orders a year (consistently for about 7 years now) and they just about kill me!
I've truely been ready for an auto for a few years, but have been holding out to pay cash for an M&R.
This press is just a stepping stone!

You can get away with a 5 hp compressor. We use a Kaiser screw compressor at the small shows. You can get it in single phase. I am not a fan of running anything over 5 hp on single phase.

[RICK STEFANICK]

Hi Rich,
We've met a few times at the Indy show. I forgot to mention its the 10/8 with the Omni-uni flash and honestly anything above and better than my 6/6 manual... is gonna be like heaven!
Right now..  I get about 8-10 - 1000+ piece orders a year (consistently for about 7 years now) and they just about kill me!
I've truely been ready for an auto for a few years, but have been holding out to pay cash for an M&R.
This press is just a stepping stone!

You can get away with a 5 hp compressor. We use a Kaiser screw compressor at the small shows. You can get it in single phase. I am not a fan of running anything over 5 hp on single phase.

i just saw this post. Thats good to know