Hello all, I am just starting out in the screen printing world and loving it! I was given an offer and I am curious if it is worth buying...
The person wants to sell me:
-25 screens (used)
-Hopkins MR 0-6200 4 color 1 station press (used)
-NuArc 26-1K mercury exposure system (used)
-Drying Rack (used)
-Misc. Chemicals & Paint (some of which may be up to 7 years old used and unused...)
They want $1000. What you think? Is it worth it???
Also, I was looking at the NuArc exposure system online and it seems that it is used as a plate maker... what exactly is a plate maker and will that unit work for exposing screens??
Thanks for all the help!!
-cannonskate
Last edited by cannonskate; February 15th, 2008 at 10:46 PM.
Hey, new manual screens cost aprpx 16-20 ea the exposure table depending on type can cost up to 4000+ not sure about press but that is the most important part (our manuals are old old 70s rolatex still bullit proof after lord only knows how many prints)....probably not a bad price ....jeff
Those platemakers are for offset printing plates. I'd ask the seller to demonstrate making a screen exposure in the one he's selling. Offset printing plates are thin aluminum. Screen frames are about 1-1/2 inches thick, and while the rubber blanket is flexible, I don't know if there is enough give in a platemaker blanket to seal up film against a screen frame. If it does, then it's worth some money. As far as the press goes, you might want to post a picture of it (if possible) to get some feedback as to whether it's worth anything. Hopkins presses are well-made, but a 4-color, 1 station press is very limiting, and if it doesn't have micros, probably isn't worth more than $400 used. If you're printing t-shirts, you don't need a drying rack, if the screens are old used wooden ones, they're just a step above firewood. The ink may or may not be good. The exposure system might be salvagable to rework into a screenprinting exposure system because of the light source, but you'll still need at least a flash dryer to actually start printing tees unless you go with waterbased and an catalyst (or so I hear).
Thanks guys! The exposure system should work for screens since that is what the seller used it for...so I will ask him for sure, but I am assuming that it will work. Unfortunetly I don't think I can get a picture of the press, but I am pretty sure it does not have micro-registration. The drying rack was to dry the screens I thought? Anyways, I am not going to buy it for another week or so, so any more information is great! THANKS again jeffie and tpitman!
I have been around the NuArc plate makers for years. Integral vacuum systems and most have a nice mercury vapor bulb. That said.... I have not seen any that will take the thickness needed for a screen frame. Ensure that this unit will accept your frames. The other issue is the cost of a new bulb.
Beginner...is this a good deal? 
