"He who marches out of step hears another drum." ~ Ken Kesey
I encourage you to add the Workhorse Sabre to your list of contenders.
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.
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.]
Quote from: kingscreen on January 11, 2017, 09:35:38 AMI encourage you to add the Workhorse Sabre to your list of contenders.I will look into this at Long Beach if they are on site. Thank you for the info!!
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.
Quote from: jvanick on January 11, 2017, 10:07:23 AMalso, 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
I would answer your question with a few questions of my own. What quantity are you looking to run? What is your "normal" print? Can you feed the beast? Are you going to be a 1 man shop? But the most important question of all is..... what dryer do you have?
Quote from: Stinkhorn Press on January 11, 2017, 10:05:06 AMTo 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.] Thank you for your input. All info is welcomed for me to be able to make an informed decision. As for Pierre's comments about the type of car, it left me a little confused because to me it was apples to oranges when I asked for input and not a question to my question. We learn from mistakes and I'm retired and don't need to make mistakes at my age. Lol..
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Topic: Automatic Presses (Read 7593 times)
