If its your first auto, I like the idea of it being new. That's just me. Not saying you can't make used work for you. But that's just how I like to do things. I should be worrying about how to sell orders for it to print, not worrying about how to make it print.
If you knew your way around a older press and such, I would say go for the older one.
Flip the coin though and compare this to your first car. Was it new? Did you need it to get to work? Did it break down and did you fix it yourself? If my first car was brand new, I wouldn't know jack about fixing cars, but I guess I would have made it to work a couple more times than not!
I hear what Brandt is sayin, and I cant disagree, Great advice!
My first car was a $70 1964 Nova2 station wagon bought at 14 years of age. "Nescesity is "the mother of
invention. it taught me a lot. In many years of printing, printers have become less hands on. IMO art development has been the Biggest Game Changer, followed by Better Screen Making which came from the
graphic side of the screen print industry, Not machinery. Machinery has become very user friendly, which has
brought the industry forward. With machines getting better, the level of "craftsmen" has fallen big time, but
other industries have had the same problem. Years ago you couldn't pull the wool over any operator, production
manager, shop owner. They were on top of their game. It has all changed! I am in some shops today, and
the breaker has flipped, everyone is panicked, and I asked if they have checked the breaker, and they say what
is that! Hmmm. The industry in the last number of years has not encouraged continuing education like the 1980's. It is Why our friend Tony
, is so valuable. There has been a resurgence of intro level screen print
schools, which is a good thing. Free flow of information, is a positive force, badly needed in this industry. If this
industry is going to prosper and not just survive, there has to be a way for people to go step 1,2,3,4,5etc. If we
cant figure a way to reach for a way to support our families, then why be in the screen print industry. Go make
a living where the risk vs. reward is a little and more profitable and safer. You think I am off base? Let the
mass of the "industry" go to their banker, with their numbers and ask for a sizable loan. Only 10% would
qualify. Maybe manufactures should offer "rent to own" or "pay as you print programs" if they feel that their
equipment would be a "win -win". In Orlando at the "table of friends", I asked the question, that if your children
came to you and asked "Mom /Dad" should I go into the Screen print business for a career, what would you say?
Could you look in the mirror, and say YES! Mine asked me that very question the night before. Which is why I
asked. Years ago, I would have said, YES. The people at the table agreed! If we are to survive and prosper as
an industry, there has to be a way forward, where One can grow their business, based on good business principles, from the bottom to the top. If not, Digital will take over. PERIOD! I am sorry to say that at this time
I had to say, your energy would show more fruit in another field. There has to still be away to rub " two nickels
together, to make a dollar" rather than "start with a dollar, and end up with a nickel". The hope of the industry,
is going to fall on "you young whippersnappers" rather than the "old men" who are at this point in life, stepping
on our Gonads! You Guy Can Do It! Work Smart, Hard, And take Time To Play.
winston
