adding a manual to the auto shop, questions. . .

[Binkspot]

We have the two manuals, both have their uses in our shop.

The Vastex is a rear clamp press, side clamps are an option that get secured in the rear clamps. It is set up for numbering but we will use it for small runs, single color all over or jumbo prints or odd non garment stuff up to 4" thick. The rear clamps will not hold roller frames unless it is off set to one side where it will clamp on one of the corners. With the two gas shocks it will take and hold a 36"x36" Newman roller but again offset to one side but I burn the screen to compensate for this. It has no problem with any of the square bar frames 18"x20"-25"x36".

The Sidewinder is side clamp and will handle any of our frames up to 25"x36". The 25"x36" Newmans are a little heavy for the press but will work. The press is used mainly for small runs, add on orders like Bim said and pockets. It is nice for the pockets mainly single color so I don't have to change the pallets on the auto. I also use it for testing new products like inks or garments, I can leave a project set up with out effecting production.

Our reg system will work on the auto and the Sidewinder, need to make a jig to fit the Vastex.

We have 18"x20" static frames for the manuals but as they go bad they are not being replaced. I will keep stretching our small square  bar Newmans mainly because they are handy. Other wise we use our std 23"x31" or 25"x36" frames on the manuals. Everything is burned to fit the auto and manual.

IMO a tool is a tool, once it is paid for it can sit in the corner collecting dust, it doesn't cost anything to sit there. Even if it is used once a year to get a job out that otherwise may missed a dead line it is well worth it.

[Shanarchy]

For the back clamp guys with Newmans, I use the Newman clamp adapters on 23x26 frames in our Vastex and it works perfect. They're not exactly cheap if you need a lot of them, but a lot cheaper than buying new frames. However, if you were press shopping, it would make side clamps a much more attractive option.

http://www.silkscreeningsupplies.com/product/newmanclampadapters?gclid=CLSH1qy2wbsCFQPNOgodaQMAGg

[ZooCity]

I'm in bimridder's camp with this- standardize everything.  Whatever up front costs you go through to achieve this will be surpassed 100 fold by the saving via scheduling flexibility. 

I do agree with Evo that if it's down and dirty, full time production on a manual that smaller frames are nicer.

I think eb's idea of the MHM pins dropping into slots should work well enough.  It won't be dead on but probably really close and will standardize positioning of the art in any case.  Or, just buy and possibly modify (if the MHM pin bumps the top block) a tri-lock platen.  Reg on the FPU, tri-lock platen on the manual on press.  So long as the film was originally attached in the same way, you should be able to mix/match systems.

I loved the old Rototex I used to have, it was my first press and it held reg better than anything I've used since.  If yours is holding up well enough I might stick with it or invest in a few mods to make it easier to use.  Mine had no micros though and I heard that the ones with were not so hot.

M&R's sidewinder, chameleon and Anatol's Thunder are the presses built to handle auto frames.  You saw my experience with the purchase of a new Thunder, which I would not wish upon anyone, but the press does hold up our M3 frames now and is useable in a "normal" fashion.  Just be sure to get one with the updates I instructed them to make, cross your fingers, burn some sage, say a few prayers....or just buy an M&R. The Chameleon really is like a manual sportsman, Evo's right about that.  Great sampling press but that is not going to work for all sizes of people as a production machine in an 8/8 configuration.  Don't plan on ever upgrading one to a second deck, the cost of a new second deck is more than a used 8/14 typically and I've only seen the upper deck being sold alone, used, once in lord knows how many years of scrolling through classifieds.  Go with a 4/8 or a 6/8 might be perfect if they make it, an 8/8 is too much for some to spin day in/out.  I personally enjoyed the extra chameleon workout, I'd rather feel like I was doing an ab workout all day than come home with the kind of kinks I get from being a desk jockey, but I'm a weirdo, and your staff may not share that opinion.  Alan has a nice video on the Sidewinder which is supposed to be a lot lighter to spin.

Whatever you do, get side clamps with air clamps.  Just suck it up and spend the dough for it, worth every penny and kinda necessary to actually use pre-reg to the best of it's ability.

If the MHM is the only press you've used in production then brace yourself to completely hate every other platen system out there.  They all go out of parallel and need regular attention and re-adjusting. 

Call me anytime if I can help.

[Evo]

Great sampling press but that is not going to work for all sizes of people as a production machine in an 8/8 configuration.

Yep. I had an 8/4 Chameleon and when it was fully loaded with 23x31 M3 frames it was a beast. I'm 6'4" and sometimes it was a challenge to spin on big runs.

But I have to say, NOTHING compares to it. With a tri-loc and the air clamps it was lightning fast to set up and if dialed in correctly it held registration perfectly. I never did any trapping or choking in my art after I got it. All butt registered and all dead on, every time.

I miss that thing.

The Sidewinder is *almost as good. It spins much lighter but the Chameleon is more adaptable.