American Rototex Autos.....

[Printhouse]

I know that there is a vast knowledge on this site so I thought I would ask if anyone could take a look at this EBAY link and give me some feedback.  I am currently running 2 manual presses and looking to move into an entry level auto that does not break the bank.  My bread and butter jobs are 1-3 color.  I rarely do more than 4 colors but do have the 8/8 manual if I need too.  I found this 4 color 8 station American Rototex auto that is approx 4 hours from my house.  While I would love to have a 6 color I just have not found one local yet.  I searched the other American threads and they seem to focus on the other models as opposed to this one.  Any info or advice would be awesome!  I feel that I could make a deal on this press for a reasonable amount less then the auction price.  I thought worse case is I could do a white print, flash, white print, flash then 2 colors.  That would cover 90 percent is not more of my orders.  My typical orders have been growing and while I only do about 5-7 orders per week they have been averaging from 50 up to 400-500 lately.  I am getting larger orders each month.  I was also looking into an older Gauntlet or something like that.  It just seems that for very little investment this may be a clean, well maintained press.  Any info from you guys would be greatly appreciated!

Here is the EBAY link...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUTOMATIC-AMERICAN-ROTOTEX-4-COLOR-8-STATION-SCREENPRINTING-MACHINE-/330815556586?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0624cbea

[Printhouse]

One concern I did have was that I am doing more and more discharge printing now and if I am thinking right you may now be able to stop the squeegee on the flood side of the stroke...  Not sure how big of a deal this may be.

[244]

You will not be able to stop in the flood mode but if the press runs well this is a great price!

[ebscreen]

Do a search on this site of exactly all of that, we've covered it in depth before. They are great presses,
and yes you can stop them flooded. Sorry I don't have the time to expound further.

[Homer]

there was one on DS the other day for 3500.00 too. . .

and oh by the way -I have a pristine gauntlet 6/8 for sale. . .if interested. . .

[Printhouse]

PM me any info on the Gauntlet...  that is actually my first choice for a used entry level machine right now.  I have found a few that were pretty worked over but if I could find a nice one I would be all over it. 

[Sbrem]

That's a really old machine. You'll want to be sure it works and that you can get parts. GPI international will probably have them.

Steve

[ebscreen]

Ace Hardware has most everything.

Individual heads can be stopped flooded by turning the stop cam
180 degrees. Not the most user friendly in terms of switching back and
forth but it is possible.

[ZooCity]

Hey Printhouse, def do a search here.  I made a thread on American auto's in general as a bump up auto for manual shops.  I'm still looking for one that's local enough myself.  You can get these as cheap as a grand but condition varies.  This one looks very clean, but hard to tell from the flash on the pics.  Get better pics and go for it if it looks good, no problem paying more for a good condition machine...but you'll have to beat me to it.  Nah, just kidding, MI is too far.

Real quick - I have a Cameo and Tempo flatstock press in our shop right now.  The Rototex printheads are similar to the Cameo - fixed angle on squeegee and flood, wrench for every adjustment, very basic mechanism for the carriage, the "Model T" of screen printers if you will.  Then the Arrow textile presses are a step up, share a head design with the Tempo flatstock and are a little fancier with a chopper style assy and adjustable print and flood angle.  The Arrows are like a lesser Centurian with the printheads on the outside of the carousel white the Rototex is from the inside out.

If you have the room get a Centurian, they were the cadillacs of AWTs line it seems but they're footprints are all about 16' plus. 

[RICK STEFANICK]

that press is in really nice condition and cheaper than a manual. very difficult to find them that nice..seems like a no brainer  if you need one with those specs. if it was closer to me i would buy it.plus you need no air..

[Printhouse]

I spoke to the gu yin detail last night.  I might make the 3.5 hour ride up to his place to see it run before he tears it down thisw week.  I think I can get it very reasonable at this point and I am very intersted in moving foward with it.  I like the no air part also. 

[RICK STEFANICK]

good decision..

[Printhouse]

Well...  I missed out on it.  I was all set to make an offer today and he accepted a offer this afternoon for $1800.  I huess the seach will continue.

[Printhouse]

Well, I just got an e-mail from the owner that states that he thinks the buyer was a scam.  He is unable to get through to them via E-mail or Phone and they have not made a deposit for it.  I think I can make a deal on it.  Not sure if I go for the $1800 he accepted or try and get it down just a hair more.

[ebscreen]

Having already "lost" it once, what's it worth to you not to lose it?