Automatic Presses

[prokegler]

Hi Experts,
Hope everyone is having a great start to the new year.
I'm in the process of trying to make a decision as to purchase a 6-10 color auto and would like to hear your opinions on which press would be the best to go with.
I've been printing manually for 9 years now on a 6 color 4 station and think I need to make life a little easier and biz a little more efficient and faster.
ROQ, MHM and M&R are the 3 that look the most appealing but money could be a determining factor. While I'm not a high volume shop, I could expand with the additional ease of use and production ability.
I don't want something that is going to be a money pit or a headache to keep running. A friend of mine had a Brown and was nothing but trouble.

Thanks in advance for you expertise and advice.

[blue moon]

What kind of car do you drive and why?

Pierre

[GraphicDisorder]

None of the 3 brands you listed are going to be money pits or headaches to keep running. I would suggest talking with each and figure out where each fit in your needs. Each are similar but different. Personally speaking I run a M&R and wouldn't change that.  ROQ wasn't in the US market when I purchased and MHM is sold through a distributor that I will never do business with. So if it was me it would be M&R or ROQ. But thats just my personal thoughts.

Getting into an automatic will change your life and good luck in the future!

[TCT]

Search this topic.

 It has been brought up many times, usually runs like 10 pages of replies.... There is also a page that lists what equipment many people use, read that and on the people that are running the equipment you are interested in. Talk to owners, try to avoid ones the sales people tell you to contact, they are not going to give you contact info if a unhappy customer. You have made the first wise choice by feedback from your friend in his machine.

Nearly everyone will give you a different answer, a lot of time for different reasons. My short answer would be - Roq, M&R, MHM.

[kingscreen]

I encourage you to add the Workhorse Sabre to your list of contenders.

[whitewater]

We have M&R.. same here Roq really was not available for us either at the time. The customer service has been great when we have needed it! For us that was part of our decision. Don't make a decision on the money, make a decision on what fits your shop the best..

[Underbase37]

You won't be disappointed with any three of those choices. M&R has my vote...But that's just me.

Murphy

[mimosatexas]

The standard reply is going to always be "buy the biggest press you can when it comes to number of heads. AC heads are typically considered superior to air heads. Parts, service and tech availability are massively important. Try to see the press options in person if possibly by visiting shops in your area that use them. Ask as many questions of those owners as possible. Etc..."

Based on everything I have read over the years if I was buying new right now I would look at M&R first, then ROQ, then workhorse and if for whatever reason I was unhappy with those for some reason MAYBE RPM and MHM. M&R is hands down the leader when it comes to service etc and make super solid presses. ROQ is kind of the new kid on the block with probably the best combination of awesome modern tech and add-ons but doesn't have the long history of great customer service yet just by virtue of being so recently available in the states. Workhorse has been around a while and is a solid company and the Sabre is a step in the right direction press wise, but they seem sort of just a little smaller and a little behind the top dogs if that makes sense. I have heard great things about the RPM and MHM presses, but reviews of their service and support seems pretty hugely mixed.

Like I said, just the opinion I've developed over the years reading countless threads on the subject.

[Stinkhorn Press]

To also repeat what is always said in these threads:
Buy AS many heads as you can fit/afford (and by afford we mean finance, they will pay for themselves!)

I was a longtime manual shop that went auto this summer. Got an 8/10. Will regret not getting a 10/12 before years end for sure.
If buying used - not all brokers are your friend. If buying used, like a car, the best maintained, lowest mile, latest models will cost more coming in the door BUT they'll BE WORTH THE price premium.

Best advice I heard was "you want a press that WORKS and works well! When it is your first press you need to know when the issue you're having is YOU or the press (it's you). When you get an old beat javelin for 5K cause it was cheap, you'll never know if the problem is your understanding of the process or a flaw in the press itself."

Pierre wasn't kidding with his "what brand of car." The brands you mentioned are all good press builders. But the presses (and the BUSINESS that sells each) have different plusses and minuses that are A) Personal and B) determined by what kind of work you do/how you run your shop. No true way around reading all you can here and TALKING to each of the sales people. (and visiting shops in your area that have one or the other).

[i bought a used RPM. they tell me it's a very solid press, but I've never had anything else, so I wouldn't really know. no complaints. just know changing the infrastructure to support an auto takes time and money that needs accounted for - compressor/chiller/air lines. larger screens, squeegees, platens. Larger coaters, screen storage, larger dryer, larger washout booth and dip tank. floodbars.]

[jvanick]

also, biggest word of advice that I received was to talk to owners who have owned multiple presses (preferably multiple brands of presses).

first-time auto owner opinions are pretty much worthless.

[3Deep]

also, biggest word of advice that I received was to talk to owners who have owned multiple presses (preferably multiple brands of presses).

first-time auto owner opinions are pretty much worthless.

I don't know about that statement there, I've only own one auto but I been under around many brands, but I understand it what your saying, but advice can come from everywhere so you can make up your on mind.  I will say talking to people that run and work on the press's daily can give you more insight, but this place is a very good start of advice and opinion's

[prokegler]

None of the 3 brands you listed are going to be money pits or headaches to keep running. I would suggest talking with each and figure out where each fit in your needs. Each are similar but different. Personally speaking I run a M&R and wouldn't change that.  ROQ wasn't in the US market when I purchased and MHM is sold through a distributor that I will never do business with. So if it was me it would be M&R or ROQ. But thats just my personal thoughts.

Getting into an automatic will change your life and good luck in the future!

These are the responses I would like to hear. Especially the companies that sell the equipment and their business practices. Customer service and support is very important to me.
Thank you for your reply.

[prokegler]

What kind of car do you drive and why?

Pierre

Pierre, not to be rude, but I'm not sure why this comment came off as rude to me. The answer to your question of answering me with a question is, why does it matter what I drive. My point is, I would like to know other printers experiences with their autos because I don't feel like making a 50 - 60k mistake. When I was young and bought used vehicles and did all my own motor work, body work, customization work, it led me to the brand I like best.... Over the years I've owned Ford, Chevy, Porsche, Honda and so on. I'm too old to learn the hard way... That's why I made this post....

[prokegler]

Search this topic.

 It has been brought up many times, usually runs like 10 pages of replies.... There is also a page that lists what equipment many people use, read that and on the people that are running the equipment you are interested in. Talk to owners, try to avoid ones the sales people tell you to contact, they are not going to give you contact info if a unhappy customer. You have made the first wise choice by feedback from your friend in his machine.

Nearly everyone will give you a different answer, a lot of time for different reasons. My short answer would be - Roq, M&R, MHM.

Thank you TCT.... Exactly the direction I'm looking for in my venture.

[prokegler]

We have M&R.. same here Roq really was not available for us either at the time. The customer service has been great when we have needed it! For us that was part of our decision. Don't make a decision on the money, make a decision on what fits your shop the best..

Thank you for your response. I know the increase in biz and reliability will take care of the money. This will be an investment for my kids in the future should they so choose to take on my hobby which turned into a biz.