Opinions on these dryers

[Prosperi-Tees]

What would the realistic output of these dryers be? I will have to eventually upgrade my dryer but electrical capacity is the biggest obstacle in our current shop. I figure I can only do about 30 or so amps realistically. So these 3 dryers fit that bill. Any thoughts or opinions. Pros and cons? I need to be able to do 250-300 per hour. I know all these are within that range spec wise but what are the realistic numbers?

Vastex EC-1 54 inch belt / 30 Amps - $4600 http://www.vastex.com/products/InfraredDryers/ECI.php 
M&R Economax 24 inch belt / 28 Amps - $5000 http://www.silkscreeningsupplies.com/product/MRECMXII24
Ranar Curestar 6000 36 inch belt / 35 Amps - $3100 http://ranar.com/Conveyor_dryer/Curestar_6000.html

Any others I should look at?

[Shawn (EIP)]

54 inch belt Vastex dryer for 4600


Having a 54" wide belt is like having 2  24" wide dryers going at once more bang for your buck! Enough room for an auto and manual to unload at the same time.

All the major brands make a good dryer.

I think in screen printing, bigger is better 

[Binkspot]

Defiantly the 54"Vastex. I run one with our auto and can squeeze 720 left chest or about 500 full prints per hr out of it. Great bang for the buck.

[Nation03]

Cant go wrong with the vastex or the M&R. We have an older EconoMax as a back up dryer and that thing books for a small dryer. If you go with the vastex, I'd get a few belt extensions to make loading easier.

[jason-23]

love my vastex!

[virgil427]

When we were looking we had it down to M&R and Vastex, ended up with Vastex becuase thier modular and warranty. If I were to do it agian I would order belt extensions for intake side from the start.

[Gabe]

Definitly vastex we bought one when we upgraded our equipment
we are able to cure 300 pcs. platisol ink  easily
very reliable dryer
even jimmy hendrix digs it
Let me stand next to your dryyyyer

[Northland]

I believe the 54" Vastex has side by side heat elements... so, you can shut off one side, if it's not needed. That would save some energy -or- help keep the shop temperature lower during the summer.

Plus, all-over prints would be a piece of cake.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Yeah the Vastex is the 1 i have been leaning toward. And it would be great when I get a bigger shop to just add on chambers and extensions.

[Evo]

M&R Heatwave.

[GraphicDisorder]

I would go with gas if it was me, but if I had to stick electric, M&R and Vastex both make good ones.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Gas is not an option for my current shop. Maybe when I move into a bigger more permanent type of space.

[ZooCity]

The vastex dryers are super-reliable little guys and come in at a good price.  Our EC-I (30" belt) has served us well but I'm surprised to hear others running autos with them, even on the double wide model.  The chamber is really short on them so this is a plastisol only unit, it banks on 'zapping' the ink up to cure rather than cooking it which is fine for plastisols, maybe not optimal, but very functional. 

Maybe also check out an M&R Fusion.  I think it's the economax's big brother, still all electric and wider belt.  I would be cranky about using a 24" wide belt but I like that the M&R units are insulated and gated.  The vastex is quite literally an IR panel hanging in a black powder coated tin box.  Yet, our EC-I uses very little electricity it seems so I don't know how much insulation should factor in, it just seems like common sense though to keep the heat in the chamber.

Gas is obviously the ultimate but if you don't have gas or propane or the capital for that purchase, not an option.  The heatwave costs about 3x what these models run for example.  You might make that back in a hurry if gas is that much cheaper than electric in your area though.  Keep in mind you could hook up a propane tank where gas is not an option. 

[Shawn (EIP)]

You could probably find everything you need in 1 dryer used at 1/2 those new prices. Just saying...

[Prosperi-Tees]

Thats what concerns me about the Vastex is the 20 inch chamber. I do discharge once in a while and would think a longer heat chamber would be better for that although none are ideal for discharge.