Quartz Dryers

[3Deep]

What do you guys think of a quartz conveyor dryer? I was looking at some workhorse makes, and there claim is a better cure than infrared dryers, maybe but my thoughts are on those bulbs how long they last and the cost.  I know the bulbs in our quart flash are around 75 to 85 bucks each and they are only 16" long, yep had to replace them a few times, we really need to upgrade our dryer one day.

[Frog]

You know that folks are going to tell you to consider a gas dryer.

[Atownsend]

The place I ran production for before I opened my shop ran a big powerhouse quartz. Can’t remember the specs but I’m pretty sure it pulled a lot of juice. Discharge prints always had to go through x2. Decent dryer for plastisol. We ran two manuals on it. Probably could have held up to an auto with one press op. Can’t say about the tube longevity as I was only there for a year or so. I dont know that quartz provides a better cure.. you’d probably have to compare the wavelength specs. I’d imagine it depends on the inks / shirts you’re curing. I remember seeing a thread pop up some time ago about quartz wavelengths being insufficient for some ink / material compositions / colors, but that was in regard to flashing and seemed
To be a rare circumstance. For real tho... just go gas. You can go for gas and not break the bank if you do it right. Winston hooked us up with a precision last year and I couldn’t be happier. So simple and straightforward once you do some learnin. Just a pain in the ass to hoookup & move but what isn’t?

[mk162]

We had an OLD Spirit Quartz Dryer( I think the brand was Spirit, maybe something Spirit)  It worked well.  It was a very small dryer, it also had side bulbs, so you could do hats easily.

I wouldn't do it again.  As a backup it was fine, but there is way more maintenance on those than infrared, and a lot more than gas.  It seemed we were regularly replacing bulbs.

[Homer]

speaking of quartz...where do you guys buy your quartz flash bulbs at?

[3Deep]

 It seemed we were regularly replacing bulbs.

This about statement is what I was thinking about, @Frog yep I know gas is the best but our shop is not big enough for a gas dryer that I would like to have so infrared is it for us.  I might have to just by a good used dryer and have it cut down to work in our space, but I saw those quartz and was just curious.

[Sbrem]

I would look for used small gas dryer. Quartz bulbs can be pretty expensive. In our old Calmat flashes that came with our MHM they were $750.00 each!!! So, we now have two MSI flashes, and I'm pretty sure they are in the $150.00 - $200.00 range. I think in the end, I think you'll have less headache with infra-red than quartz, and maybe look for one with a blower to help with any WB or discharge you might do...

Steve

[Prince Art]

I remember reading a post awhile back that suggested quartz can cure too fast. Like cooking food on high heat, you get the outside well done & the center is still cool. I've wondered about that when I've seen quartz dryers. Perhaps someone with more knowledge on the matter could address whether this is a valid concern.

[mk162]

Our old dryer ran off 110v and had I think 6-8 bulbs.  They got hot, but not like the flash units we run.  They turned the power way down per bulb to make it a more gentle heat.  I am sure that's how the new ones work too...you'd bake the crud out of poly running it through an oven like that.

The only thing that was adjustable on that old thing was the belt speed.

We did print a ton of shirts through that, including a 25,000 pc order for WCW wrestling.

[RICK STEFANICK]

 The Workhorse quartz dryer I had worked great . It was the only piece of workhorse equipment I ever had and never replaced a bulb in 3 years.

[LuckyFlyinROUSH]

Will a heatwave not fit? Seem pretty small.

All these new fabrics almost melt with our quartz bulbs in flash units at 1 sec, hate to see them in quartz dryer.

Our quartz dryer pulled like 55 amp or something like that. 72" gas dryer sips 200$ a month in gas.

[Audifox]

The Workhorse quartz dryer I had worked great . It was the only piece of workhorse equipment I ever had and never replaced a bulb in 3 years.

How long ago did you have it?
We are looking at the Workhorse quartz dryer right now.

[RICK STEFANICK]

The Workhorse quartz dryer I had worked great . It was the only piece of workhorse equipment I ever had and never replaced a bulb in 3 years.

How long ago did you have it?
We are looking at the Workhorse quartz dryer right now.

3 years, bought it used and they had it 4 years.