The late 90s M&R all-air Gauntlet S - opinions?

[Homer]

don't get me wrong -it beats the hell out of manual printing any day of the week - I would just hold out for something a little fancier. . you will out grow it within a few months. but it comes down to price too, if you can drop the cash, like Rick said 8/9k - that's a no brainer, start clearing a spot. .if you can hold off for a machine you really want -then wait. . .I still can't stand the micros, I love the MHM style, no need to unlock, that's the bees knees.

[blue moon]

Alan, jeez you're making me blush over here.

That is some serious food for thought on the AC heads.  It was in the back of my mind as a potential issue. Logic tells me that I can make it work with extreme diligence on the maintenance and overall setup but I agree, AC would be so, so much easier just going off the simple physics of it all.

I have been told on many occasions and am a firm believer of getting a new (or nearly new) press for a first auto. You really want to learn on something that works rather than trying to figure out if it's the press or you doing something wrong. Take the step and get a new press, you will not regret it!

pierre

[tonypep]

I would say that the biggest issue with these machines is platen deflection, which, if the pre-press issues are not under control, can result in slightly weaker ink coverage on the top edges of the platen. Most obvious on process and sim process.
tp

[mk162]

maybe, but if it's installed properly and you are properly trained, it can be a great learning experience.

I disagree with buying a nearly new auto.  It's like buying a house.  My first house was a small 1200 sq ft ranch with no basement.  It was fine, I was 22 and single.  But I learned living there that I wanted different things in a house.  Now on my second house, there are things I would do differently on my 3rd house.  If I started out living in my dream home, I would quickly realize that it wasn't.  There would be thing I would want or would do differently.  I think an auto is a great example of this.  We started with a Jav, then moved to a couple of used gauntlets before buying our "new" one in 1999.

[ScreenFoo]

I'm with some of the earlier sentiments--if you can get it for 8 or 9K, get it.  If you know it's in good shape and everything works properly, it will make you money, and be a great learning experience.

I haven't used any "nice" auto micros, but with regular maintenance, I never thought they were hard to dial in.  Maybe I need to check out the market more.   

The GT-8 I started printing auto on I took from 700K to 1.4M, (it's over 2M now) and the only downtime was for moving, and a couple prox sensors.  The RS I run now is getting close to 2M.  I love 'em, although I would point out that Pierre and Alan both have great points--if you have the cash to spend, and you're looking for whats best, perhaps some more research would be in order.  If you have 15-30K to get an auto set up, and this thing is running well, in your budget, and you can get it set up and calibrated, I'd do it.  If you have 60-100K to do it...  well...  you wouldn't have started this thread, right?   

[mk162]

I can help you put together a good parts stash too.  There are some things that must be on hand just in case.

[Sbrem]

I agree with Pierre, buy new if you can, but my first 2 presses were used, and we used them to make money, then about a year or so after the second one, we bought new, MHM Synchroprint S-Type. Huge difference of course, but our '94 Gauntlet still makes us money, and is a very useful press.

Steve

[broadway]

I own a '95 Gauntlet. I have never had any issues with screen air clamps or the micros. Go watch it in production. It really comes down to price and condition. Everything is negotiable. Do not forget to factor in installation, compressor... That $8000.00 machine will end up costing $12,000 or more. I was going to buy a new press this winter but i was just too busy to get my act together and actually do it. I will try again this fall. The only reason for me selling the Gauntlet would be for 2 extra colors and some added features like servo drive and print/flood adjustments and of course the age of the press. Like someone said before, you see a lot of Gauntlets as second or third presses for companies.

[ebscreen]

Oatmeal is better than no meal.

[Gabe]

i learned to print auto in one of those puppys gauntlet
they have special place no doubt
just get a 7/16 rachet put it in your back pocket and print your life away dude
life is good

[ZooCity]

Condition seems good all around.  Not sure if this justifies the price tag though?  I'm hearing 8-9 from you all but the ask price is 2x that. 

@MK- It's not about image area : screen size.  I'd just rather go ahead and stock up 25x36 as I add screens than more 25x30, which is what I use now.  We run 25" wide screens and have for quite a few years now, the whole workflow is setup for it.

I guess I need to sit down and decide if clanky old auto press with air heads is going to be able to maintain our quality of prints.  I'm confident I can run it.  I won't be super happy doing it and agree that a new machine eliminates the press as a variable while learning but doubling our production speed would put a smile on my face.

Is anyone running S mesh on one of these or similar?  This is bugging me, that the air heads will need too much downward pressure to clear the screens and defeat the purpose of using the thin thread mesh.  Not a concern with WB but it would make our plastisol prints look like crap. 

[ZooCity]

Actually, to follow up on that screen length topic, looking at the manual I received from M&R, they call from 6" up top and 9" in the back, going from the o.d.  That leaves you with 15" of image area by the manual's terms.  You would need to fudge your flood and squeegee angles just to get 16x16 out of it or so it seems and this press has a max image area of 16x18.  Seems like a 33" long would be in order here if you want to run that 16x18 and that explains why roller frames come in that odd length.  I always wondered about that. 

[ZooCity]

I would say that the biggest issue with these machines is platen deflection, which, if the pre-press issues are not under control, can result in slightly weaker ink coverage on the top edges of the platen. Most obvious on process and sim process.
tp

Tony I know you're busy but are you telling me that I'll need to adjust art to consider that the front chopper is going to bend my platens out plane when it comes down?

[broadway]

I would not pay $16-$18,000 for that press. Go look at the a new Diamnodback with servo, revolver...

[Prosperi-Tees]

Yeah with the new Dback with servo going brand new for 22 I wouldnt touch that old of a press for 16-18. If it were 8-9 maybe.