[Annushka]

Well, I think the DK20s pulls 15 amps-about right for most home outlets. But most home outlets are shared, so if you run your press with other appliances, you might overload your breaker. At least that is my understanding of the dedicated electrical issue. Cory

amps...breaker...guy talk ...i don't understand lol. I'm sure you are right. I was very careful the first time I plugged it in i was afraid i would blow a fuse. now i just make sure i don't have anything turned on that i don't need. so far i have had it on with a tv and my pc and no problems. must note that i haven't run the press for more than an hour yet. do u think the amount of time it's on make a difference?

 

[mscory]

amps...breaker...guy talk ...i don't understand lol. I'm sure you are right. I was very careful the first time I plugged it in i was afraid i would blow a fuse. now i just make sure i don't have anything turned on that i don't need. so far i have had it on with a tv and my pc and no problems. must note that i haven't run the press for more than an hour yet. do u think the amount of time it's on make a difference?

Hi Annushka, I'll do some research and get back to you. Corinne (Cory)

 

[Annushka]

You are a girl, right?! I'm so sorry. And thanks for looking the subject up

 

[binki]

Well, I think the DK20s pulls 15 amps-about right for most home outlets. But most home outlets are shared, so if you run your press with other appliances, you might overload your breaker. At least that is my understanding of the dedicated electrical issue. Cory

You should run this on a dedicated circuit. We installed 2 20amp circuits just for heat presses and air compressors.

 

[Twinge]

Twinge, ...

And I just solved the problem with the noise for good. I turned the timer knob off/to zero - and there is no more noise. I'm really happy with the machine.

Cheers, glad you figured it out. Kind of surprised my guess about the timer actually ended up being right, honestly

amps...breaker...guy talk ...i don't understand lol.
[...]
do u think the amount of time it's on make a difference?

A breaker is basically just a fuse that you can reset. Instead of actually destroying a fuse in the process, it simply "trips" the breaker, which can then be reset to work again.

Amperage (amps) is another part of electricity, related to the more well known Voltage (volts). While volts is sort of how powerful it is, amperage is basically how much there is. There's probably better explanations out there, but that should give you some idea.

Usually when a circuit is going to blow, it will happen right away when a new device is added; e.g. turning on a vaccuum cleaner in a populated circuit my shut it down. If it's already been running a while and nothing new is added it probably won't suddenly blow a fuse or trip a breaker suddenly (though it is possible I imagine).

 

[Annushka]

Usually when a circuit is going to blow, it will happen right away when a new device is added; e.g. turning on a vaccuum cleaner in a populated circuit my shut it down. If it's already been running a while and nothing new is added it probably won't suddenly blow a fuse or trip a breaker suddenly (though it is possible I imagine).

Once again, thanks for the term break down and especially the last paragraph. That answered my question. I will still be carefull, but I'm feeling more confident about having it on now.

 

[Annushka]

Does anyone know how thick of an item I can press on my particular model? Thank you

 

[Arild Waerness]

"I just bought a 16x20 knight press for $300. OMG, that thing is GIGANTIC!!!"

I just bought a 16 x 24 press and it's even more gigantic. And a far cry from my old Insta 12 x 12 which I've used for 15 years and 150.000 shirts.... One thing smaller presses have for them: you can thread a small shirt onto a 12" wide platen, which is impossible on a 15" or larger. Very useful if you're pressing on the back of a dress shirt with lotsa buttons and pockets on the front, you don't have to open every button first...

 

[spacerust]

budget heat press

i have been researching as well because i am interested in adding to my business. till now i have been doing strictly screenprinting but the time saving and flexability of using a heat press interest me. i need something to get started but understand that buy the best that you can afford. i have seen some geo knight presses on ebay for around $250 or so. any suggestions as to how i can get into a heat press without the cost?

 

[Rodney]

i have seen some geo knight presses on ebay for around $250 or so. any suggestions as to how i can get into a heat press without the cost?

A used press from a good brand name like Geo Knight is a good way.

 

[Mike3000]

Hi all..Has anyone heard anything or used a Air Waves AW-3000 16 x 20?

 

[Mike3000]

Hi...Has anyone heard of or have any experience with this press:

HIX UNI-Press 15
Watts :1.500
AMPS: 12.5
Volts 50/60 htz. :120
Stamp Size: 15" x 15"

Any idea how much they cost?

 

[icechris]

I am looking to buy a heat press in Europe. And the companies i mail or ring want to know how much pressure i need to press the shirts. I havne't found anything sofar, but I would like to eventually start doing vinyl presses too...

Anyone know how much pressure ths needs? There are large price differences for different pressures (400kgs = 369 euro 800kgs=1200 euros)

 

[shirt]

this is informative... i am planning to start a business and now i'm between choosing silk screen printing and heat press...

i know you opted to buy a heat press but i'm weighing my options as of the moment...

thanks for the info Rodney... i gotta read the next episode...

 

[Twinge]

i know you opted to buy a heat press but i'm weighing my options as of the moment...

Well to clarify, Rodney actually had a background in working with screen printed shirts (though not directly, IIRC?) well before he bought a press. He got a press to learn about the aspects of the t-shirt industry he wasn't already involved in =)

 

[vctradingcubao]

this is informative... i am planning to start a business and now i'm between choosing silk screen printing and heat press...

Shirt, why not do both? It's easy to get into heat press but's it's difficult to be good at screen printing, but it would be great if you can do both, and be good at it.

 

[shirt]

Shirt, why not do both? It's easy to get into heat press but's it's difficult to be good at screen printing, but it would be great if you can do both, and be good at it.

doing both is good... i know... but i also know that it would be very expensive to start with the 2... with buying the equips and all...

vctrading, how much capital did you need to start to operate? (just curious)

 

[vctradingcubao]

You can actually start with just a heat press, a computer and an Epson inkjet printer. A china made press would cost you no more than PHP25T.

(sorry for the off-topic)

 

[ellaunderground]

Hi! Newbie here, so be gentle.

I'm reading a lot, and I have to ask - why is a press larger than 9 x 12 necessary when shirts aren't any larger, and the image size is even smaller on the shirt?

Thank you.

 

[Rodney]

Hi! Newbie here, so be gentle.

I'm reading a lot, and I have to ask - why is a press larger than 9 x 12 necessary when shirts aren't any larger, and the image size is even smaller on the shirt?

Thank you.

These reference threads give good general reasons why you'd want a larger press:

Reference threads:
Whats the purpose of a 16 x 20 heat press??
Does size matter? Is bigger really better? Why?
Good professional heat press?
Need one more tip: which heat press?

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule (like a 16 x 20 press might be too heavy for some), but those threads help to explain why folks say bigger is generally better