Researching for a Gas Dryer

[asecominc]

So I'm looking to go gas in the next 6-10 months, but not sure what to consider when buying (Features, BTU, new vs. old technology, etc.).  Going used is the preferred method for me, but I'm always open to new if the pros outweigh the cons.  I've come across some used older gas dryers, but it's difficult for me to know what the older models (pre-2000) do versus the newer ones.  Also not sure of extra costs like installation of exhaust and hookup to gas line.  All I know is that we're about done using electric and would like to get a decent gas dryer.  Any sort of direction would be greatly appreciated. 

[mk162]

I don't know when the switch to higher efficiency gas dryers was made, but you need to get one that uses around 150,000-180,000 BTU's while running.  Most of them will use around 250,000+ while warming up(depending on size).  Once a dryer is warm, they use a lot less.

The 2 dryers that are good bets are the M&R Sprint and the Interchange MD-8 (which is what I run).

[Gilligan]

Check out Alan's review of his new dryer.  Not trying to be a mouth piece but what he's got sure is making sense for him!

http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php/topic,2547.0.html

[Printficient]

Give Winston Strickland a call.  He is the dryer guru.  904-343-0848

[mk162]

that thing is a beast...no doubt.  I don't know what the cost was to be honest, but it looks like a heavier duty version of the dryer I have.  Interchange makes an airjet that is beefier, it was overkill for us.

[alan802]

I think you're doing the right thing by getting away from electric, I'd advise anyone to do the same if there is any way to get gas ran to your shop.  Our new dryer is saving us around $700, give or take, a month on electricity/gas bills.  I think the argument for new versus old technology is very interesting when it comes to dryers, because it's function is much more simple than the argument about autos.  I looked for production capacity, efficiency, features and service during and after the sale and we went with the Sprint International from M&R.  I do think that Interchange makes a good dryer, I got to see an MD-8 last month right after install and I tried my best not to compare it to ours because they are two completely different ranges of dryer, and I did appreciate the simplicity and function of the dryer.  I'd like to see a more comparable Interchange like the Airjet one of these days to really get a feel of how it measures up to the Sprint International.

I spent a few hours with Rich and he walked me through our dryer and showed me all the advancements that have been made with the dryers over the years and it was very enlightening.  They look like a giant heat box, but there is a lot more to it than that.

[arttex]

The same here, asecominc. Looking for a 60" belt and 12' heat chamber to run two autos with it. Sprint International for sure looks like a great piece and we are using a bunch of M&R stuff already, but we were quoted over 52,000$ +18% VAT for International 60/12 and we decided it is too much. Now we are considering offers from Adelco and German Tesoma and we will also contact UK/Holland based Green Burn/ Calmatech. The right now we are contacting some of the owners of these dryers we know, regarding gas consumption.. For dryer of this size it should be something in 150,000 BTU range during average runs. We will run it on propane (something like 90,000 BTU in one gallon, if I'm right) and we are based in Europe.

[asecominc]

Thanks for all the quick replies.  The old v. new tech is something I'm strongly considering as a factor.  I guess I'm so naive about gas dryers that I feel I need to be informed as well about the advancements in tech.  This has definitely helped me find some sense of where I should start and prioritize when looking for a gas dryer.  I currently have a 24"x12' electric dryer handling 1 6/8 auto and 2 6/4 manuals.  Do you guys think going to a Sprint 48" would be overboard?  Just make the jump to a Mini-Sprint?  I'm looking towards the future and hope to have another auto in the next 12-18 months.

Again, thank you for the replies....they are very helpful!

[arttex]

Thanks for all the quick replies.  The old v. new tech is something I'm strongly considering as a factor.  I guess I'm so naive about gas dryers that I feel I need to be informed as well about the advancements in tech.  This has definitely helped me find some sense of where I should start and prioritize when looking for a gas dryer.  I currently have a 24"x12' electric dryer handling 1 6/8 auto and 2 6/4 manuals.  Do you guys think going to a Sprint 48" would be overboard?  Just make the jump to a Mini-Sprint?  I'm looking towards the future and hope to have another auto in the next 12-18 months.

Again, thank you for the replies....they are very helpful!

Mini Sprint with 38" belt is not a smart choice to handle two autos. Even with 48" belt you may sometimes face problems if the prints on both presses are large or waterbased/discharge. New gas dryer is not a cheap investment, it is something you buy once in maybe 10 years and if you are planning another auto in the near future, I would take 60" belt. Can you imagine frustration with buying new expensive gas dryer just to realize that belt is not wide enough for your needs? As for those manuals, I think you wont need that dryer with 12' heat chamber. Smart choice would be one gas dryer for 1-2 autos and maybe something like Economax for manual. That little fella maybe looks like a toy, but I can tell you: few years ago we used to run 300 pcs/hour with Chameleon and Economax. Today we are using manual only for samples or some very short runs and Economax is still there. It is 6 years old, not a single major issue, with minor electricity consumption. Used one should be in 2,500$ range.

[mk162]

i have a 48" belt, I should have gone 60" or 36."  48 is right between useful for 2 presses and running 1 press(which we do most of the time.)

our shop is a little narrow for a 60" belt, I figured I would go narrow to fit a bigger press in at a later date.

[244]

The same here, asecominc. Looking for a 60" belt and 12' heat chamber to run two autos with it. Sprint International for sure looks like a great piece and we are using a bunch of M&R stuff already, but we were quoted over 52,000$ +18% VAT for International 60/12 and we decided it is too much. Now we are considering offers from Adelco and German Tesoma and we will also contact UK/Holland based Green Burn/ Calmatech. The right now we are contacting some of the owners of these dryers we know, regarding gas consumption.. For dryer of this size it should be something in 150,000 BTU range during average runs. We will run it on propane (something like 90,000 BTU in one gallon, if I'm right) and we are based in Europe.

M&R make quite a few dryers that are way lower in price than the dryer you ask for a quote for. The Sprint International H.O. (high output) is way too much dryer for the shop you have posted on the site. You should be looking at the Sprint 2000 which is rated at over 2000 units per hour on plastisol and 1600 per hour on water-base. These numbers are for typical prints. I cannot state with 100% certainty as I do not know the substrates nor the ink used. That dryer will consume roughly 180,000 BTU per hour with a running cost of less than $2.00 U.S. dollars per hour here. The list price on that dryer is $35,650 U.S. Just a fyi.

[RICK STEFANICK]

2 bucks a hour. wow thats technology. rich, whats the cost savings running 8 hours a day with that unit vs. a older ray paul 500,000 btu as a comparison? or even a older sprint ?  thanks

[244]

I can't be exact but at least around half the cost.

[3Deep]

@ Rich since we're talking about coast what would be the cost on running my old Economax per hour which you know is all electric.

Darryl

[244]

Pm me a serial # and a copy of your electric bill and I will tell you.