Opinions on these dryers

[Gabe]

you might consider black body force air big buddy
it can cure platisol and water base inks
the best of both worlds in one package 

[Evo]

If I was to ever purchase another electric dryer, new or used, my choices would be:

1) M&R Radicure (forced air, can do wb/discharge, built like a tank)

2) Hix NPII  (forced air, can do wb/discharge, built like a...humvee)

3) Ranar Turbo Jetstar  (forced air, can do wb/discharge, built like a Jeep)


I've honestly never been impressed with the Vastex stuff.

[Shawn (EIP)]

If I was to ever purchase another electric dryer, new or used, my choices would be:

1) M&R Radicure (forced air, can do wb/discharge, built like a tank)

2) Hix NPII  (forced air, can do wb/discharge, built like a...humvee)

3) Ranar Turbo Jetstar  (forced air, can do wb/discharge, built like a Jeep)


I've honestly never been impressed with the Vastex stuff.

hopefully not built like my Jeep     That dryer come in a straight 6?

[Prosperi-Tees]

I just dont have many options. I have 100 amp service, 30 for my compressor, 20 for 1 flash and then everything else so I figure 30-40 amps max and gas is just not an option.

[Nation03]

Forgot about Hix dryers.. that 3610 NPII dryer looks pretty sweet. 3 phase is 27 amps.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Oh yeah forgot that as well, no 3 phase! I cant wait to move but we just signed a 2 year lease a few months ago.

[Printficient]

Belt size should be your first consideration.  Buy the widest you can.

[ZooCity]

If you want to run discharge I would stay the hell away from the Vastex units or any short, open type of drying system.  Some of the higher end Vastex models have a primitive sort of air exchange system that might make it possible but even with the wide belt how slow would you have to run it to get ink to discharge?  Too slow. 

I'd take the advice above and maybe check out a larger, used machine.  Go as long as you have space for, widest belt you can fit as well.  Keep in mind, even if the machine is rated higher than you think you can use you don't have to run all the panels at once.  Our Texair that's in the new space is rated at 110 amps of 3phase.    It's a monster.  While I'm hooking it up as if it were going to run full bore, we're not going to ever get near that sort of amp draw with it though and will be only using certain panels, set fairly low and the hot, forced air section, cranked up.  Some of these big 'ol boys are quite cheap and, from what I've seen of this ones guts so far, look very straight forward to repair.  If you went that route you could simply disconnect one of the panels or, find the optimal setting and let your breaker tell you when it's too much.  You would need to find a single phase unit though which might be a little tricky. 

I've heard this repeated many times and found it to be 100% true- you'll outgrow the dryer first.   It will bottleneck your production if you don't plan ahead and swapping gear out can take your attention away from getting those prints made.

[screenxpress]

I have an old Vastex Econored with a 30 in belt and two heat panels inside.  It has a built in exhaust and I have run Pleasticharge (Union Discharge) some.  I just lower the belt speed way down. 

Don't have any experience with other brands, but the Vastex folks are more than willing to help out on problems, even though I bought "used" and not from them.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Yeah I did not think I would have an auto so soon as I started out with an 18 inch Little Buddy dryer and currently have a 24 inch Ranar  Curestar 4000 which will only do about 150 an hour comfortably. I would like to at least double that number.

[Evo]

Oh yeah forgot that as well, no 3 phase! I cant wait to move but we just signed a 2 year lease a few months ago.

I just sold my ancient Ranar Turbo Jetstar. It was 24" x 8', 27 amps. It could handle discharge, albeit slowly.

I helped the dude that I sold my press to install a larger, newer version of the same dryer. 36" x 8', about 35 amps (maybe 40?) single phase. They are really, really nice for the price and built solid. I would take a long look at one if you are doing occasional discharge work.


I mentioned the Heatwave for several reasons:

1) Gas rules over pretty much any electric dryer.
2) It can run on a single 20 amp 120v circuit and minimum gas service, or an on-site propane tank.
3) You can take it with you to the next location and not worry about further upgrades for awhile
4) It will pay for itself in a couple years of electric bills.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Oh yeah forgot that as well, no 3 phase! I cant wait to move but we just signed a 2 year lease a few months ago.

I just sold my ancient Ranar Turbo Jetstar. It was 24" x 8', 27 amps. It could handle discharge, albeit slowly.

I helped the dude that I sold my press to install a larger, newer version of the same dryer. 36" x 8', about 35 amps (maybe 40?) single phase. They are really, really nice for the price and built solid. I would take a long look at one if you are doing occasional discharge work.


I mentioned the Heatwave for several reasons:

1) Gas rules over pretty much any electric dryer.
2) It can run on a single 20 amp 120v circuit and minimum gas service, or an on-site propane tank.
3) You can take it with you to the next location and not worry about further upgrades for awhile
4) It will pay for itself in a couple years of electric bills.

My little Ranar is a workhorse for what it is for sure. I will have to look into propane. Problem is the tank would have to be indoors.

[asdprints]

I don't have any personal experience with the other two dryers, but I am happy with my M&R economax. I am putting out a real 180 to 220 per hour depending on the garment (I like a little slower belt speed). I was told by local dealer that it is pre-wired for a third heat panel if the need arises.

[RICK STEFANICK]

There is always the option of a USED m/r radicure. In same price range.. 3 panel models are probably in that amp range.

[alan802]

In this current economic situation, I'd scour the internetweb google maker machine for a used dryer.  It looks like quite a few auto shops run with a smaller dryer than I'd expect to see.  I wouldn't want my dryer to be my bottleneck if I were you but if you're not going to be running the auto with a full crew then 250-300/hr would probably be just fine.