Discuss the different types of equipment needed for screen printing. Topics include manual screen printing presses, automatic presses, dryers, folding machines, starter kits and high end machines.
We have the vastex v2000. It is a great press, holds registration very well. Our customer service after the sale was not perfect but it was still good. Most have had top notch customer service from what I have read. There are several things about the vastex that had I engineered it, I would have done differently but overall it's a really good manual press. I tend to want to overbuild things and sometimes think others should have ridiculous standards but I know there are many other factors that go into building a press.
Riley Hopkins 6/4 hands down. The press is indestructable. Also, the service I have received from silkscreeningsupplies.com has been outstanding. They really stand behind their product and are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Good luck!
The workhorse oddysee is junk compared to the Riley Hopkins, The workhorse original is in the same league, however its A LOT more expensive for an equivalent press. I've never heard good feedback about the support from Workhorse, so i can't speak there. I use a Riley Hopkins press and couldn't be more happy with it, however, support from Riley is non-existent and there is no price advantage ordering direct. Go with Ryonet. I think if you do your research, you'll hear nothing but good things about their support after the purchase. .02
I own a couple of Hopkin Presses and their bullet proof. I've even had my 1x4 fall out of the back of my pick-up going down the freeway. A little dinged up but still is in use today
What did tommy boy say? "Here's the way I see it, Ted. Guy puts a fancy guarantee on a box 'cause he wants you to feel all warm and toasty inside. Because they know all they solda ya was a guaranteed piece of ****. That's all it is, isn't it? Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time." Not saying that the other presses are bad, but just confirming you can ask anyone in this industry Hopkins doesn't need a lifetime warranty, they're built to last and he's proved it for 35 years!
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The only one who can say you can't do something is you.
The wood pallets do show wear and tear over time and can get burn marks if you leave one under the flasher too long without a shirt. If ou plan on flashing a lot, I would go for the aluminum pallets. Over time you will save maney. Just be careful to not get carried away and overtighten things and strip the screw grooves needlessly...tey can only take so much. That's true of all the machine brands though. Be sure to order both adult and youth size pallets for all stations and sleeve pallets as well. If you are handy, you can custom make other sizes later. If you plan on doing nylon jackets with liners, then you will need a jacket "hold down" as well. No getting around it. Now you just need to make sure you have a quaity dryer that is long enough and wide enough to keep up with your production once you get good at it.
Workhorse, Vastex or Hopkins 6/4 press 
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