Need advice on my first auto...

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I'm a little overwhelmed, but I DO know I'm not interested in a brand NEW press at this time. It just isn't in the budget.

This is the end of my 5th year full time, but only 3 years of discharge experience. I do a little simpro, but a lot of simple spot color jobs.

My drier won't handle fullbore output from a quick auto with plastisol, much less WB Discharge, so that upgrade will (should) be close behind.

Space is a problem in our shop, so an 8 color is going to about max us out in our current location, I'm afraid.

I'd like to stay under 12K with air and chiller, but I suppose a REALLY great deal might move that line somewhat.  Single phase would be nice.

I'm pretty handy, so repair or rebuild isn't out of the question.

I'm ready to hear any advice you folks might wish to offer.

Thanks!
Stan

[Prosperi-Tees]

If used, the top one you are going to hear is the mid 90s M&R Gauntlet. 2nd one you will hear is Tuf Javelin with Flashbacks to keep your 8 color press an 8 color press. 3rd will be an Anatol Horizon although you may not find as many people happy with those.

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

Does the M&R have something similar to the flashbacks you refer to? I could do a lot more with 8 colors than the 6 I have now.

[Prosperi-Tees]

They have the revolver program on certain older Gauntlets. The only ones you will find with flashback capabilities is the Tuf and an old Anatol before they got in trouble with the patent that Tuf holds.

[ScreenPrinter123]

We purchased a used all air Progressive Rhino to to replace a Tuf Freedom.  We had it for a about a year before upgrading to a new AC/Servo.  It was a fantastic press that would be worthy of a look if you can find one that has been taken care of.

[shirtz]

We bought a early 90's  GT-8 Gauntlet with over 2 million prints on it in 2003. We run the press every day and there hasn't been anything we couldn't fix with a phone call to M&R.
No matter what go for it you won't regret it 

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I AM aware of the fine reputation of M&R as far as supporting their product.  So... I guess I'm looking for a 90's Gauntlet as my first choice.

Can you do oversized prints with these?  When I make this purchase, I'd like to keep my old Hopkins Pro Line 6/4 for stuff that's more difficult to do on an auto, but space is a problem in my shop. The front end is all embroidery and sales. I'm relegated to the dungeon in our backshop.

Any great places to hunt?  I used to use digitsmith a lot. Now....not so much.

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

It looks like an M&R Gauntlet Revolver 8/10 would fit in my space. 

Anyone know of one sitting around, perhaps in need of repair that is for sale? (And is it the Mosier indexer that is the better choice?)

[3Deep]

Crook, unless your a auto tech I would think about buying one that needed work unless it's something simple like leaky air hoe's and such,  As many as they are on the use market you can find a good M&R press for what you want to pay.  People talk smack about the Anatol's but you don't see a ton on the use market, I say it's a good press and you will get your full moneys worth, service want be like M&R don't think many can touch them on that.  You know the drill when looking for a used press it might be worth a few bucks to go see it take for a ride and get all the service reports you can on it, it can be nice and shiny on the outside but a demon on the inside. Crating and shipping is one of the big parts of buying a used press so many things can go wrong from there place to yours, saving bucks a press is great but put the good money where it really counts tear down, shipping and setup.

Darryl

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I know, I know. I started this thread a year ago, and it's old. I'm not too keen to start a new one, but maybe I should.

I finally have connected on a 93  M&R Gauntlet Revolver 8 color, 10 stations, and it's nearly in my back yard. We're just a few dollars apart.

I've been warned to check several things:
1     see if the air has been regularly drained of moisture by pulling the plug on the underside of the indexer AFTER RELEASING THE AIR PRESSURE OF COURSE to see what comes out,
2     find out when the "battery"(?) was changed last,
3     look to see if the microprocessor is an OMORON (dunno...) and
4     look at line voltage in my shop, so as to not burn out "the drive".

The price is fair, and it's VERY close. Ive seen it print, and all 8 heads work.

Any other warnings or advice from you guys? Additional questions to as the seller? He is the shop owner and is purchasing a new press. The imprint count is unknown.

Thanks!
Stan

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I headed up there with some wrenches to pull the drain plug. And a check with fingers crossed.

Any last minute bits of wisdom would be appreciated...

[Binkspot]

Center shaft bearing, table up lift up and push down on a pallet. You can feel it clunk, sometimes hear it. Any movement of the carrousel in relation to the shaft walk away. Just about anything else on the press can be fixed at a reasonable cost but not the shaft/bearing.

[GaryG]

Center shaft bearing, table up lift up and push down on a pallet. You can feel it clunk, sometimes hear it. Any movement of the carrousel in relation to the shaft walk away. Just about anything else on the press can be fixed at a reasonable cost but not the shaft/bearing.

In a nutshell!!

[KevWilso]

Not sure where you are located but I know of a 5 year old Workhorse Freedom here in Austin, Texas and he wants 12k for it.  Still run every day.

8 stations 6 colors 2 built in flashes

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I really appreciate the info.  We're still a few dollars apart.

Is it REALLY impossible to for a clever guy with a little barnyard savvy to accurately replace an arm or two that won't quiiiiiite make it through the overhead door? I don't want to pay big bucks to fly in a technician if I don't really need to.