screen printing > Equipment
Automatics...
whitewater:
I am working towards an Automatic.
I would like to hear the experiences from those of you that have them.
Did you get it used or new?
What was your experience in the learning curve?
Where did you get your info on setting it up and getting the kinks out for your particular press?
Your likes and dislikes?
Do you wish you would have went with a different manufacturer after using the one you have?
If you did get a used one do you wish you would have gotten a new one?
Sorry there are so many questions, trying to do some homework on this since I have nothing to draw from in experience.
Thanks
GraphicDisorder:
--- Quote from: whitewater on May 16, 2011, 10:26:34 AM ---I am working towards an Automatic.
--- End quote ---
Don't stop, keep going, it will change your life.
--- Quote from: whitewater on May 16, 2011, 10:26:34 AM ---I would like to hear the experiences from those of you that have them.
--- End quote ---
I have a M&R Sportsman, I am a small fish but it has been awesome for us. We can now print what took several days before, in 1 or 2 days a week if we need to. We are now doing more jobs, larger jobs, and the prints are way more consistant.
--- Quote from: whitewater on May 16, 2011, 10:26:34 AM ---Did you get it used or new?
--- End quote ---
New, and I wouldn't change that. I wanted someone to stand behind it if there was a problem for my first auto. Second auto I wouldn't be scared of used, but will probably do new again when the time comes.
--- Quote from: whitewater on May 16, 2011, 10:26:34 AM ---What was your experience in the learning curve?
--- End quote ---
Sure, but honestly I expected it to be much worse than it has actually been. Biggest change for us was just moving up to higher mesh screens since we printed manual. Other than that its not really been much of a learning curve.
--- Quote from: whitewater on May 16, 2011, 10:26:34 AM ---Where did you get your info on setting it up and getting the kinks out for your particular press?
--- End quote ---
Didn't really have any kinks or anything like that, the manufacture set up the press, trained us for a few days and thats been it.
--- Quote from: whitewater on May 16, 2011, 10:26:34 AM ---Your likes and dislikes?
--- End quote ---
Likes, well everything. I think I wouldn't change a thing about the press other than maybe should have got 2-4 more heads. But its not been a big problem. I would say go at least 8/10, 10/12 or larger if you got it.
--- Quote from: whitewater on May 16, 2011, 10:26:34 AM ---Do you wish you would have went with a different manufacturer after using the one you have?
--- End quote ---
Nope, very happy with our choice.
--- Quote from: whitewater on May 16, 2011, 10:26:34 AM ---If you did get a used one do you wish you would have gotten a new one?
--- End quote ---
Bought new wouldn't change that.
--- Quote from: whitewater on May 16, 2011, 10:26:34 AM ---Sorry there are so many questions, trying to do some homework on this since I have nothing to draw from in experience.
Thanks
--- End quote ---
Don't say sorry for having questions, you shouldn't buy until you have all your answers and only buy from the company that fits you best. I think there are several quality manufactures in the game. I don't think anyone makes a complete POS. I think there are presses and companies that fit people better than others much like Ford/Chevy/Dodge and so on. Buy what you think is the best fit for yourself. But yes do yourself the favor of shopping them all.
A side note, be ready for all the extra expenses with getting an auto. Electric upgrades, Gas, Compressor/Chiller and install of it, fork lifts/pallet jacks, so on and so on. I know myself I spent around 10k in extra's, its not hard to do before you know it. So remember when you are talking about the cost of your new equipment, dont forget the costs to run wire/air and so on for it. You will bleed money for a period of time, but worth it!
whitewater:
thanks for taking the time replying...I've talked to a few that have automatics and do know about the extras...
thank you
blue moon:
just a quick add . . . there are fords, chevys and dodges, but lets not forget the vw, bmw and mercedes.
My thinking is that your press will probably be similar to what you drive. ppl that prefer the american cars will probably prefer an american press. ppl driving imports will probably look in that direction. yes, it is a generalization, but most likely a rather accurate one.
get as many heads as you can. 8/10 at a minimum!
bought used, but it was only 4 months old. Would not suggest buying used for a first auto (unless it is not really used like ours).
main issue with ours is that we did not get enough heads (8/10). I am already looking into something bigger and it had barely been two years. My guess we'll upgrade soon . . .
huge learning curve, but I did not have much printing experience when we got it. If you are doing simulated process now, it will not be as big of a deal. If all you do is spot, it will be bigger. The biggest problem for me was figuring out printing on the darks. The plattens have to be wormed up and the printing speed needs to be consistent. If you fall behind, the quartz flash cools down, your shirt is not flashed and it sticks to the bottom of the next screen. Then when you turn it, it pulls of and you are in for a mess. Getting the timing down on flashing was the hardest part. Printing white will take a little too. What you have been doing by feel will now have to be done by a machine. As you printed by hand you adjusted the pressure, speed, angle and all that stuff instinctively, on the auto it has to be preset. You can speed up, reduce pressure and do the adjustments on the press, but it takes time to figure out what exactly needs to be done. . .
so much for the quick add!
pierre
terryei:
Got a brand new, (first one sold) M&R Diamondback.
Been great. My reasons:
I'm in Illinois, they are 2.
Support, none better
was told I'd get more/do more business with an auto. That was true.
Lengthly discussion, give me a call.
Terry
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