Discuss the different brands and sizes of heat presses available on the market, including Hix, GeoKnight, Hotronix, and other smaller manufacturers. Topics include maintenance, selection, styles and more.
I purchased my mighty press used and it was a really wise choice. 15x15 is plenty big for most jobs unless it's going to be used for oversized prints. I'm not sure which model you are interested in, but if it's digital make sure all functions work. Also if you are able test the temp to make sure it heats fully. I was so excited at getting a good deal i didn't notice that my press had a little wear on the lower platen pad and that caused uneven spots on my transfers. Hope this helps a little. Best of luck
Evan. The 15x15 should suffice and that sounds like a reasonable price. You might want to purchase a heat gun to make sure the heating element is producing the temperature that the thermometer is set at.
__________________ Ed www.proworldinc.com - Heat Presses, JPSS, CLEARSOFT PAPER +1000's Transfer Designs......most popular- Christmas, Rhinestones, Peace, Burnout
Good luck on ur purchase. I just bought a Maxx Press & that Hotronix u mentioned sounds like the same ad I saw & looked at. If its in Jersey near the shore that press is beat up & rusty... If thats the 1 Im just giving u a heads up.
Thanks for the replies all - I'm hoping to move on this soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shizzy
Good luck on ur purchase. I just bought a Maxx Press & that Hotronix u mentioned sounds like the same ad I saw & looked at. If its in Jersey near the shore that press is beat up & rusty... If thats the 1 Im just giving u a heads up.
This one is in the Boston area...I'll be sure to check on the condition when I go to see it - thanks!
Thanks for the replies all - I'm hoping to move on this soon.
This one is in the Boston area...I'll be sure to check on the condition when I go to see it - thanks!
It sounds like a good deal for your "new" press. The good news is that if things break, they are fairly inexpensive to fix and parts are available through Stahls' Hotronix. 800-727-8520.
While talking with the seller today, I found out that this clamshell press is branded as a Phoenix, does that change anything?
Maybe....
The older Phoenix machines were a standard clam style press, with digital controls for time and temp. They did not have an auto open feature like the new Phoenix heat presses offered through Imprintables Warehouse. The older units had an aluminum frame that made it lighter, for travel. As long as all the bolts are tight, and it locks down firm, you should be okay. Parts for the old Phoenix are limited. No framework, but you can get the electronics; triacs ect..
Maybe....
The older Phoenix machines were a standard clam style press, with digital controls for time and temp. They did not have an auto open feature like the new Phoenix heat presses offered through Imprintables Warehouse. The older units had an aluminum frame that made it lighter, for travel. As long as all the bolts are tight, and it locks down firm, you should be okay. Parts for the old Phoenix are limited. No framework, but you can get the electronics; triacs ect..
I hope this helps.
Thanks for the detailed response and what to look for. What benefits does the auto-open feature have? Does it essentially allow the curing to be passive - I can walk away from the machine and not worry about scorching/over-heating? Anything else?
Are the digital controls problematic in that they break down are expensive to fix? Is the machine operable if some of the digital outputs aren't working perfect?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MotoskinGraphix
I think a flash cure would be a better purchase.
Thanks for the input! Do you think a flash cure would just do a better job for my needs? I have relatively small funds to invest in curing along with low volumes of merchandise produced and limited free space. With those factors in mind, would you still recommend a flash cure?
I am intending on staying in this business for a while but I also am trying to grow slowly with minimal sunk costs - kind of a catch 22, I know.
Also, are there any specific models you'd recommend for my situation and do you know the ballpark costs of those units?
Thanks for the detailed response and what to look for. What benefits does the auto-open feature have? Does it essentially allow the curing to be passive - I can walk away from the machine and not worry about scorching/over-heating? Anything else?
Are the digital controls problematic in that they break down are expensive to fix? Is the machine operable if some of the digital outputs aren't working perfect?
Thanks for the input! Do you think a flash cure would just do a better job for my needs? I have relatively small funds to invest in curing along with low volumes of merchandise produced and limited free space. With those factors in mind, would you still recommend a flash cure?
I am intending on staying in this business for a while but I also am trying to grow slowly with minimal sunk costs - kind of a catch 22, I know.
Also, are there any specific models you'd recommend for my situation and do you know the ballpark costs of those units?
Thanks so much!
Evan
If you are going to do multi colored prints you will need a flash and not the heatpress.
If you are going to be doing the majority of your designs with heatpress vinyl and plastisol transfers then the heatpress is gold.
If you are doing mostly screen prints the flash is important.
I actually have cured Nazdar auquatint with a heatpress and didnt much like the feel of it. I have also used a heat gun, hair dryer etc.
I know you are trying to kill multiple birds with one purchase and low on funds but if you are screening you are going to want a flash.
You can always purchase a Sunie heatpress down the road.
The digital controls are very reliable. Even if they go bad, a control board runs around 200. The auto open feature does allow you to "walk away" from the unit. When the time expires, it opens and takes heat and pressure off the garment to prevent over cooking.
There are lots of clips of the units in action.. Google it
Although the 16 x 20 is a little more than 15 x 15, think about what you what you want to do in the future. Do you want to print and press images that will require a printer larger then 15 x15? If so, buy the 16 x 20. I will save you from having to buy another printer in the future. If not, the 15 x 15 wil be just fine.
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well said!
I usually suggest the largest that can be afforded. The 16x20 makes pressing larger garments (xl,xxl ect) easier to work with. There is more of the garment on the platen and this speeds up press time. It is much easier to place the transfer thus less time per item. IMO.
Many presses, like the Hotronix, offer optional lower platens to accommodate odd shaped objects like tote bags and can be used between the webbing of an umbrella.
After reviewing all the EXTREMELY helpful posts and doing some thinking on my own, it seems that a flash cure makes the most sense for me.
Again, I'm using the machine to "final cure" water-based ink. I also anticipate using it to flash cure between colors in the near future.
I'm not using it for anything like plastisol transfers or any other transfer. And with all those things in mind, I think a flash cure would serve me well. Any thoughts on this conclusion? Am I missing something obvious?
Help Me Buy My First Heat Press 
Re: Help Me Buy My First Heat Press 
