[jeron]

Hey everyone. My goal is to use the equipment I have now to make and save money and eventually buy a new press.. after researching everything I have pretty much decided on M&R. But the biggest sidewinder manual press they offer is a 6 color 6 station. I realize they have their chameleon line, but they are crazy expensive and I've read they are to heavy to be a daily production press... more made to do sampling for an auto.

I'm just a hobby guy at the moment and the most I have done is a 3 color... out of all your orders in a year how many require more than 6 colors? I'm not against outsourcing the higher colors unless that is half of my sales in a year..

So just curious what configuration would everyone buy as far as how many colors I should look at..

What configurations are your presses and would you change it if you could?

Thanks,
Jeron

 

[sben763]

For the price difference you should look into the M&R Kruzer. $3000 6/4 is the only configuration they are available.

I have a 6/6 sidewinder and the pallet arms are heavy and I think the Chameleon's are the same. With the bearings it spins freely though and doesn't seem heave. On several occasions I have printed over 18 hrs. I as I pull the shirt off I barely move the press as I put the shirt on dryer by the time I turn back the platen is at the indexer ready to print. If you were spinning it hard it might be a issue.

 

[jeron]

Yea I know of the kruzer.. and if I end up getting a 6 color I would definitely consider it!!! I compared them both at an open house and liked the sidewinder more.. it had the airlock side clamps... but the price was way higher!!!!

But my main question is do you think I would need a press with more colors? What is the percentage of jobs you get that would require more than 6 colors?

Thanks,
Jeron

 

[sben763]

6 gets me by just fine and in 7 years I rarely reach 6 colors. What is nice if doing 6 colors and you had an 8 color leaves a open spot for loading. When doing a 6 colors jobs loading is a little difficult.


The sidewinder sideclamps and air locks are all options. If you plan on getting a registration system the air locks are a great option

 

[jeron]

That makes sense about loading.. I'll probably go for a 6 color then, because my ultimate goal it l is to grow enough to get an automatic. So if 6 colors will work til I can get an automatic to do more colors that will work..

And yes I plan to get the tri lock system. I don't know if I would get it alongside the sidewinder but probably after and before I get an automatic. I would get the airlock right off the bat though because the tech said you would pay an extra grand to upgrade later vs just getting them originally

Thanks,
Jeron

 

[Decal_Designs]

I like the 6/6. I think it will handle just about every job you will get. And jobs with more colors can usually be simplified to reduce a few colors. There is also 4 color process and simulated process that can be used to get a large variety of colors without needing a larger manual press.

 

[jeron]

True I didn't think about 4 color process... I also have simple seps overprint that I could use to minimize the colors if I had to I guess. I have never used it yet but bought it in their package. I understand the idea just never had the need for it yet...

I'm also ok with contracting out the bigger jobs to until I'm capable of doing them..

Thanks,
Jeron