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guest5779 · February 27th, 2007

EDIT: Anyone who uses a HIX HEAT PRESS & FIRST EDITION as their supplier please PM me!!!

Well, I attempted to apply some samples yesterday, and the results were disappointing to say the least.

I'm using a HIX 15x15 clamshell, digital timer, First Edition samples, and FOTL 100% cotton shirts (old undershirts at the moment

)

I tried both hot split, and double print hot split -- only 1 of the 15 or so even came out somewhat decent. I tried varying my times, pressure, and even heat.

Here's some of my questions:
1. Heat press closed or open?
2. Supposed to “lock” into place? My plate will lock down, but if the pressure is above 7 it's virtually un-openable (at least in a timely fashion).
3. Pre-heat garment how long? I was doing 2 or so seconds medium firmness.
4. Might there be something obvious that I'm doing wrong?

Any help is greatly appreciate. I will update this thread later tonight with pictures to better address these issues. Thanks!

P.S. - Anyone in the St. Paul, MN area that wants to do a hands on teaching lesson?

P.S.S - If you have a HIX clamshell, please PM me!

badalou · February 27th, 2007

I don't have a heat press but I know you need to pre press those shirt longer. Yo are using your old shirts that have been washed and prpbably have a lot of moisture. i use first edition all the time and never had a problem. My press is not automatic as I have to set pressure (med to heavy, never light) Lou

guest5779 · February 27th, 2007

Hey Lou,

You have a Mighty Press don't you (YouTube - heat transfer with plastisol transfers Can you do pressure settings with that? I can set my tension from 1 to ~ 12 or so.

Would you preheat for about 10 seconds then? Does your Mighty Press "lockdown"? Meaning it'll lock into place so you don't have to hold it yourself.

Thanks.

P.S. - Thanks for the videos as well.

Rodney · February 27th, 2007

I actually had some trouble with the First Edition transfers as well.

One thing I found in my tests of different plastisol transfer printers was that some transfers are much easier than others for "newbie" heat transfer users like myself. I don't know if you fall under that same category, but I think the transfers from First Edition will get easier to apply for me as I get better at adjusting the heat press settings.

Check out this post to see if it helps you:
a review of 8 different custom plastisol transfer screen printers - samples followup

guest5779 · February 27th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney


	I actually had some trouble with the First Edition transfers as well. One thing I found in my tests of different plastisol transfer printers was that some transfers are much easier than others for "newbie" heat transfer users like myself. I don't know if you fall under that same category, but I think the transfers from First Edition will get easier to apply for me as I get better at adjusting the heat press settings. Check out this post to see if it helps you: a review of 8 different custom plastisol transfer screen printers - samples followup

I definitely found my first experience more difficult than I'd thought it be. I must have tried 15 transfers, none of which came out well (and I'm following directions directly from First Edition).

I'll give it another shot tonight, hopefully it'll go better.

Great article as well Rodney! I've already send off a PM to Nathan at FME. Hopefully he'll get back to me with some samples so I can make a comparison.

guest5779 · February 27th, 2007

Well I gave it another shot.

Tonight out of the 15 or so attempts 5 of them were pretty decent. But I still can't understand the varience in these First Edition transfers.

Following the standard guidelines (8-10 seconds for a DPHS, or 15 seconds for a HS) definitely doesn't work. I had the "best" results with 12 seconds for a double print hot split, and 22 seconds for a standard hot split.

Then I went ahead a tried a few at this same level (temp, pressue, time settings) -- some would turn out fantastic, others horrible.

I just don't get it.

Has anyone else experienced this? I think I might drop Janet another e-mail asking for more samples, as well as any advice. I like FE, and I like their simple and straight to the point pricing. But geez. At $2.50 a shirt I'll go broke.

badalou · February 28th, 2007

Quote:


	I don't have a heat press

I messed up. I meant to say I don't have your heat press. I have the mighty press. I have a pressure knob and I adjust it with that . There are no reading so it is a guess. I am pretty strong and medium pressure to me may be heavy to some of our young ladies. I think Rodney got it right. it really requires a testing period. You will eventually get it and then you will use that as your guide and not the instructions that come with the transfers.

guest5779 · February 28th, 2007

Ahh, I see.

I'm actually giving Janet a call today, she wants to try to diagnose the problem over the phone. Is it possible that I'm not getting enough power?

I'm running it in a utility room, and I notice all of the lights dim when it's in operation. Our house is only 3 years old, and my Father thinks it would trip the circuit breaker if it was drawing too much, but recommended we move it to a different room and give it a shot. Does this sound like a good idea? Its kind of pain, as it's mounted and all strapped in (cable ties, etc.). Has anyone had this issue?

Thanks.

Rodney · February 28th, 2007

Quote:


	Is it possible that I'm not getting enough power? I'm running it in a utility room, and I notice all of the lights dim when it's in operation.

Yes, that sounds like what happened to me when I plugged in my heat press and powered it up. First the lights dimmed (not enough power), then after a while, the circuit blew.

See my post here:
minor heat press setback - we need more power Jim!

guest5779 · February 28th, 2007

Well I did the dollar bill pressure test -- it turned out fine.

Rodney, I've used my heat press for maybe 1 hour in total with no circuit blowouts. Should I try running an extension cord to it from another circuit? Is there a way to accurately measure the temperature?

Thanks!

Rodney · February 28th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by empyre_01d2


	Well I did the dollar bill pressure test -- it turned out fine. Rodney, I've used my heat press for maybe 1 hour in total with no circuit blowouts. Should I try running an extension cord to it from another circuit? Is there a way to accurately measure the temperature? Thanks!

There's a few tips from more experienced members on things to try in the thread I linked to above.

This thread has some good tips for tools for measuring temperature:
Mighty Press hot / cool spots diagram

MotoskinGraphix · March 1st, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by empyre_01d2


	Well I did the dollar bill pressure test -- it turned out fine. Rodney, I've used my heat press for maybe 1 hour in total with no circuit blowouts. Should I try running an extension cord to it from another circuit? Is there a way to accurately measure the temperature? Thanks!

Does your press not have a temp gauge? I have run my 15x15 outdoors on an extension cord off a generator sharing power with a PA system. Certainly not the optimal situation. The press took forever to heat and maintining 400 degrees was rough. Once the press made temp. everything worked as expected but it was a slow process.

guest5779 · March 1st, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotoskinGraphix


	Does your press not have a temp gauge? I have run my 15x15 outdoors on an extension cord off a generator sharing power with a PA system. Certainly not the optimal situation. The press took forever to heat and maintining 400 degrees was rough. Once the press made temp. everything worked as expected but it was a slow process.

No. The HIX 400 doesn't have a temp gauge. Only an indicator light.

rusty · March 1st, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by empyre_01d2


	No. The HIX 400 doesn't have a temp gauge. Only an indicator light.

My Hix 400D has a digital temperature setting. I'm curious, if your's doesn't have a temperature gauge, how do you set the temp? Is it just ON or OFF?