[g188]

Hello all,

I have been using transfers and vinyl for a couple of years and have realised that I can not keep up with demand, or offer a cost effective product to my customers.

After much research, I am nearly convinced that screen printing is the right option for me. However I want good equipment from the outset and do not want to buy sub par equipment to loose money, and have to upgrade.

I have around 8,000 UK pounds to spend for everything! I am looking to buy good named equipment M&R etc. I wish to buy the M&R Kruzer new, and then supplement with second hand equipment and home builds etc

If I do need to upgrade, I hope that my branded equipment will have a good resale value when I wish to upgrade. I have figured that I can also use any pallets I buy on future M&R purchases for example an auto.

So basically is there a good classified UK market for second hand screen printing equipment?

I have tried ebay and gumtree but so far not much luck is there anywhere I am missing?

Thanks in advance

James

 

[TLK]

You must have already been in contact with Dave Roper? | Dave Roper Ltd | Screen Print specialists and suppliers - UK dealer for M&R equipment. He often has second hand equipment for sale and it's not always listed on the website. It may be worth giving them a call to see what they have.

The M&R Kruzer is a new entry level press, does it have the same size pallets as a Chameleon or Sportsman auto? I'm pretty sure they're smaller! The M&R Sidewinder has the 16 X 22" pallets and it's within your budget with plenty left over.

We bought an M&R Chameleon, a second hand tunnel dryer, 6 second hand youth pallets and a few other bits and pieces from him about 12 months ago, great service. If you need any 23 X 31 inch aluminium frames we're selling most of ours in about 3 weeks (moving to retentionables). We've got about 12-14 in various meshes. Message me if you're interested.

Other second hand stuff can be found on eBay, Gumtree (just keep searching)

Adelco. World Class Digital & Screen Printing & Drying Systems Since 1972
Natgraph - Pre-Owned Equipment
H. G. Kippax Screen Printing Machinery
Current Machinery
Second Hand (Used) Printing Machinery | PDS International | +44 (0)1226 770772

 

[g188]

Thanks for the help TLK.

Yeah the Kruzer does have smaller pallets, which is a bit of a worry really. They are upgradeable though.

I am just looking to enter screen printing in the cheapest possible way but with quality equipment really. £8,000 is the highest price really, I am having to borrow money from family so the less the better.

I have contacted Dave Roper he seems very helpful and had a look round the showroom. I was initially interested in the Bronze Plus Package which includes a dryer, it is listed at £5,495.00 but then there is VAT on top. I then figured that I could possible save money by building up a package second hand and would likely not have to pay the VAT.

Have you bought the ink and consumables from Dave or do you go elsewhere?

I am a complete noob to screen printing, trying to watch as many videos on you tube, but its obviously hard to really learn without having the equipment. How are you finding the process? is it as overwhelming as it looks when you get your teeth into it? Dave Roper offers the class which i think will be helpful. Also are you making a profit now? I know that's a personal question, but obviously helpful.

Thanks for the links and help.

 

[TLK]

Thanks for the help TLK.

Yeah the Kruzer does have smaller pallets, which is a bit of a worry really. They are upgradeable though.

I am just looking to enter screen printing in the cheapest possible way but with quality equipment really. £8,000 is the highest price really, I am having to borrow money from family so the less the better.

I have contacted Dave Roper he seems very helpful and had a look round the showroom. I was initially interested in the Bronze Plus Package which includes a dryer, it is listed at £5,495.00 but then there is VAT on top. I then figured that I could possible save money by building up a package second hand and would likely not have to pay the VAT.

Have you bought the ink and consumables from Dave or do you go elsewhere?

I am a complete noob to screen printing, trying to watch as many videos on you tube, but its obviously hard to really learn without having the equipment. How are you finding the process? is it as overwhelming as it looks when you get your teeth into it? Dave Roper offers the class which i think will be helpful. Also are you making a profit now? I know that's a personal question, but obviously helpful.

Thanks for the links and help.

Well, I've actually been printing for about 10 years now, albeit on a table top press for most of that time. Then we had an old Hopkins press for a bit, then onto a Chameleon. Business is going pretty well.

If I was you, I'd go for the best press you can afford. That's why I suggested the Sidewinder. You can save money in other areas. I don't know about the Kruzer but I bet you'll want to print bigger images in no time at all. Whatever you buy, if it doesn't work out you'll be able to sell them on and they hold their price quite well.

Most of the equipment and inks etc. Dave sells are quality. He's been in the business for a long time and knows what he's selling. His emulsion is really good and cheaper than most.

Union inks are also decent enough and a fair price, you can get them from Wicked Printing Stuff. They sell some good stuff and some dubious stuff.

You can knock up an exposure unit relatively easily, use a 1000W metal halide bulb bought from a grow shop online. Sunmaster bulbs are good and single point light source is best.

Don't buy washout booths etc. We made one from an old water tank/butt we got for £50 from a local farmer! If you search online you'll probably find out how to do it. If not message me and I'll send you some picks of our old one.

Squeegees, scoop coaters, screens etc. you can pick up from ebay or if you want some screens, like I said, we've got some. You can sometimes find dryers on eBay. Make sure they're single phase unless you have 3 phase where you are. Dave sometimes has second hand dryers. We got a panther dryer from him and its been good.

If you're just starting out I would go and take the class, it will be helpful. I never did a course and taught myself (I'm still learning) but it will help you start off in the right way!

Cheers
T

 

[PatWibble]

There is a 6 year old 6/4 bwm hopkins press just listed on ebay. Its well over priced at £2600, but keep an eye on it. Most items tend to go around several times. I would say £1800 is top of its money.

The benefit of buying secondhand equipment is that should you need to sell you will always get most of your money back.

Try to buy the best press you can afford, along with a reasonable flash dryer. Although they are needed, at a push you can get by without a conveyor to start with, especially if the budget is tight. If you are busy enough to need one you will be able to afford one.

Most of the rest can be cobbled together. An old bath tub can make a good washout booth to start with.

If you have not printed before why not buy a small consumable package, one screen and a £30 bolt on screen clamp. Spend a while practicing on the kitchen table before you invest £8000. It is easy enough to teach yourself the basics of screen printing, but you will probably need to 'invest' a few hundred pounds in cock-ups whilst learning.

 

[g188]

Thanks for the messages TLK and Pat wibble. You have both been very helpful. Yeah I am going to get a quality press to start with. I have bought inferior equipment in the past with my vinyl cutter and ended up regretting it and causing more headaches than necessary. I am serious about this, so know I will spend the necessary time involved to learn the process. I know that it won't be a walk in the park and it will take a great deal of time to learn.

I really wanted to get a small dryer from the outset to make sure my prints are cured consistently. If I get a dryer could I then get a cheap flash unit? Trying to save as much as possible now. If I can do this for 5,000 I would be much happier .

I have just found a shower tray for my washout that I am going to put legs on and build perspex sides. I am going to find a cabinet for my drying cabinet and attach a dehumidifier that I already have to the sides.

TLK could you please tell me whether these screens would fit on any press I buy? My GF has family in Fairbourne, but I am not going for a while. Could you inbox me further details and the price please, (working on the weekends)

That riley hopkins press looks good will see if the price drops.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[PatWibble]

You should be able to pick up a used flash drier for well less than £200. You don't need a top end one, especially when printing manually. Just make sure it is big enough to cover your largest size print.

A really good used press will cost from £900 - £1800, and recently Panther conveyor driers have been fetching between £850 and £1200 on ebay.

You should be able to get the main three items of equipment for less than £3000, secondhand. £1000 should easily cover the exposure, washout, screens, squeegees and consumables. Its always best to leave some capital in reserve.

Build a good size workbench and box the sides in to make a drying cabinet.

Most good presses will take a 23 inch screen.