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screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: jvanick on August 28, 2014, 08:12:42 AM

Title: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: jvanick on August 28, 2014, 08:12:42 AM
First of my new equipment for our upgraded shop posts...

We'll start with the dryers first...

Short list:

M&R Sprint2000 - 48" belt, 8' heat chamber

-vs-

MD8 with a 48" belt, 8' heat chamber

not sure if the M&R can be 'field' upgraded with additional length in the chamber, but having that option does appeal to me.

would like to have a 48" belt if at all possible due to potentially feeding both autos into it, and/or just the ease of 'throwing' shirts on the belt quickly.

Side question... does anybody know if you can vent these somewhat horizontally out a side wall? or do they have to go vertical through the roof.  One landlord is sketchy about 'roof penetrations' but is ok with sidewall penetration as long as it's done to code.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: blue moon on August 28, 2014, 08:17:12 AM
I don't have any experience with M&R, but I would not buy another interchange.

Pierre
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: mk162 on August 28, 2014, 08:23:35 AM
really pierre?  I can tell you that Winston has been impressed with ours except for a few minor things.

I would buy one again.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: TCT on August 28, 2014, 08:35:43 AM
I looked at dryers for a bit and SHOULD of bought one in Feb. In my looking and research, I talked to a handful of people and got a lot of feedback. In comparing the two dryers in question the Sprint won out...
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: sqslabs on August 28, 2014, 08:39:31 AM
Side question... does anybody know if you can vent these somewhat horizontally out a side wall? or do they have to go vertical through the roof.  One landlord is sketchy about 'roof penetrations' but is ok with sidewall penetration as long as it's done to code.

As long as you have it properly angled, you can run it up and out a side wall no problem. 
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: Printficient on August 28, 2014, 08:42:57 AM
I would encourage you to get the widest belt you can get.  A 48" belt is a little narrow for 2 autos running full length prints.  A 60" minimum a 72" would be best.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: Binkspot on August 28, 2014, 08:46:19 AM
Sprint with 60" belt, 12' of heat, 6' in and out.
I believe there are drones for the sprints but like the press get what you need and be done with it.
M&R would have to confirm but I have been to a few shops with mini sprints that the exhaust went straight up, 90 turn and out the side of the building, sometimes they would take out a window and make an insert to run the exhaust.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: Binkspot on August 28, 2014, 08:48:21 AM
I believe the sprints are more efficient using less gas due to the insulation and air flow of the units.

Add cool touch shell not throwing heat into your shop
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: TCT on August 28, 2014, 08:53:49 AM
Code here is 1.5' vertical for every 1' horizontal.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: Printficient on August 28, 2014, 09:19:29 AM
Might I also throw out there a refurbished dryer from Winston.  Like new but at a reduced price.  904-343-0848 8) 8)
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: mk162 on August 28, 2014, 09:50:52 AM
I would ask winston before buying one.  I do wish I would have had the bottom part of the interchange insulated...it would have made sense to do that at the factory.

Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: Underbase37 on August 28, 2014, 10:24:58 AM
I defiantly would go with a 60" for two presses, 48" is just two small for two presses running....sometimes its to small for one.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: mk162 on August 28, 2014, 10:26:18 AM
48" works for an auto and manual.  more important than width though is length.  8' of heat and you will be running that belt slow.  The longer the chamber the faster the belt...the more throughput.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: blue moon on August 28, 2014, 10:58:57 AM
60" at a minimum.
MD-8 is not insulated on the bottom and is spewing fumes left and right. While no dryer is fully contained, I specifically asked about running it in air conditioned (contained) space and they said it would be great! That's a bunch of BS. The dryer is running so hot we had to insulate it which in turn burned the paint off. The flame is orange and no amount of tweaking can help it. I've talked to Interchange and Winston without any resolution. The only thing that's left is replacing the plenum which would require cutting the dryer open (go figure, no access point big enough to work on the inside of it!!!). So we put up with the dryer needing to be opened and flame rods cleaned/replaced once a month.
I will say that is holds the temperature well and it does exactly what it's supposed to without any drama, but heat and fumes are just not acceptable. Air Jet might be better, but after seeing the M&R dryer and what it has in it, there is no comparison (at least in the design). To be honest, the Sprint was twice the money of the MD-8, but being told things that are not true just does not sit well with me even if it did work right. . .

pierre


EDIT: duh, called Winston wilson!
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: mk162 on August 28, 2014, 11:13:19 AM
the MD8 could be insulated WAY better...no doubt.  I wish it was.  Our flame is perfect(knock on wood).

We've had virtually zero problems with ours...fire it up and go.  I am going to get with winston about insulating the bottom from the inside a little bit...it will requite taking the whole thing apart though...a good winter project.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: alan802 on August 28, 2014, 11:30:17 AM
I saw an MD-8 a few years ago after it was installed and it was a few weeks after we got our Sprint International and comparing the MD-8 to the International is not fair, but a mini-sprint would be a better comparison.  I haven't spent much time around the Mini but if it's got even half of what the International we have then I would say the Mini is the superior dryer, by a decent enough margin.  Now if the Mini doesn't incorporate a lot of what the Sprint and Sprint International have then it's a different discussion.

And if you're going to run 2 autos on it, I wouldn't do a 48".  60" all the way and put each press on the each side of the dryer and run.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: Frog on August 28, 2014, 12:00:22 PM

Side question... does anybody know if you can vent these somewhat horizontally out a side wall? or do they have to go vertical through the roof.  One landlord is sketchy about 'roof penetrations' but is ok with sidewall penetration as long as it's done to code.

My set-up is a lot smaller, but here's how it vents. I'm sure that you could do an approved version similar to this.

Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: 244 on August 28, 2014, 12:20:54 PM
I saw an MD-8 a few years ago after it was installed and it was a few weeks after we got our Sprint International and comparing the MD-8 to the International is not fair, but a mini-sprint would be a better comparison.  I haven't spent much time around the Mini but if it's got even half of what the International we have then I would say the Mini is the superior dryer, by a decent enough margin.  Now if the Mini doesn't incorporate a lot of what the Sprint and Sprint International have then it's a different discussion.

And if you're going to run 2 autos on it, I wouldn't do a 48".  60" all the way and put each press on the each side of the dryer and run.
The Mini- Sprint is exactly like the Sprint 2000.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: screenprintguy on August 28, 2014, 12:26:01 PM
I don't know about the MD, after seeing how Pierre had to wrap his Interchange like a Klondike Bar in order to reach a decent insulation rating, I'd keep my eyes on the Sprints brother!!!! I do know that M&R will send out a meter so that folks using other brands can see what they are actually burning in gas vs what the Sprints burn. I don't think I've ever met an unhappy Sprint owner and from what I understand they are about to launch a whole new version with updated features, that I would assume add even more efficiency. I think, when looking at the price tag of a dryer, you should also look at it's actual production rate and gas consumption. If a dryer costs a few more grand than the other and you have that dryer for 10+ years, the added cost of an old outdated banger or a lesser price tag'd model that's not as efficient will out weigh that initial price tag. Just the way I see it, but I've spoke to more than one shop that wish they would have pony'd up a couple more grand for a Sprint.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: ZooCity on August 28, 2014, 03:28:22 PM
There's no comparison between a Sprint and an MD 8, maybe an air jet.   The only reason to look at an md8 is price but a used sprint would whoop that dryer for the same cost.

There are design features of the air jet that I prefer over the Sprint but if you go with a Sprint HO they cancel out mostly.


Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: ZooCity on August 28, 2014, 03:30:10 PM
Oh and get 16 feet of chamber min 8 in and out. One thing in would get if going new is a few feet of cool down chambers. The sprint is very well insulated but all the garments throw off major heat as they cool on exit.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: Gilligan on August 28, 2014, 09:16:05 PM
That belt alone is too hot to touch!

I was very surprised by that when I was at Alans.  The hemmed part of my belt gets too hot to touch if you let your fingers slide on it, but my belt is fine to let your fingers slide on it.  The Sprint's belt was as hot as my belts hem!  Maybe a second you could let your finger glide on the belt.
Title: Re: Dryer options ... MD8 vs MiniSprint
Post by: ZooCity on August 29, 2014, 02:55:22 PM
I think 6-8' of cool down that recycles the heat back into the chamber would be ideal for the high output gas dryers.