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[cre8art]

Hi All,
I'm researching buying a 15x15 Heat Press.
Does the Clamshell press perform as well as a Swing Away press when pressing Tiles & Tee Shirts.... or anything else?

Does the Clamshell distribute the transfer "evenly" and "wrap" around the Tiles "edges" as the Swing Away is designed to do _without any "shifting issues" I've read about because of the way a Clamshell closes  at an angle as opposed to the straight down method of the Swing Away?

Are any of you Transferring to Tiles using a "Clamshell Press" with No Problems with this issue or have a "work around" for this.

Your input is greatly appreciated!

Later...cre8

 

[precisioneng]

I use my Geo Knight swing away for doing wood plaques as it puts even heat/pressure by coming straight down and not at an angle. I've tried my clamshell press on the plaques but it don't work very well.

Mike

[uncle remus]

I use a Hix 16x20 clamshell to press everything from tiles to shirts with no problems, my lower platen "floats" where it distributes even pressure. But if i ever get another one it will be a swing away, just for the ease of loading & unloading of substrates.

[COCHISE]

I have a smaller HIX and have printed many hundreds of award plaques and tiles. The key is that the upper platen on my HIX "floats" to allow even pressure on closure and will allow the thicker items to print properly. The way to tell if a press that is being researched will float, is that GENERALLY the pressure adjustment nut is located on the upper platen.....NOT the rear support assembly.

I will soon add a swing arm press to my press collection because I like the ability to get the platen out of the way and I want to sublimate dinner plates.


ken

[edproworld]

Have anyone of you though of getting a clamshell with a 'drawer'? This provides both the space saving of a clamshell and the ability to load the transfer away from the heat? It is a great feature.

[COCHISE]

THATS RIGHT ED!! I forgot about that press........ thanks for reminding me.



ken

[MonkeyMeMe]

Ed do you mean a slide out bottom plate? where we dress the shirt?

If so i just got on of those and love it

Sandy jo
MMM

[edproworld]

I do. It's becoming one of our most popular models.

[MonkeyMeMe]

I agree ed, those slide out drawers are totally awesome, it brings the dressing of the garment away from the heat, a bit, and when you are done an pull it out,
it lets it cool , then push it back in for a post press

I love mine,

Sandy jo

[Ynkfan1]

Just wondering which heat press you're referring to; is it the Hotronix Fusion?  Thanks,

Charlie

[MonkeyMeMe]

Not sure what lou has here ,
but I got mine from a member here Roger at heatpressvinyl.com

Auto open, magnetic close,,  with sliding tray,  I purchased the 16x24 i think it is,,  Microtec,,

I also know he has other ones smaller too but i needed this big one as all my requests for designs seem to be getting larger..

And i needed it for dye sub too.

Lou carries the big teflon sheets for these monsters, and i picked up the laser gun to test my presses too,  he had it on sale, not sure if it still is, but i love that lil thing

[cre8art]

I guess I should first mention my budget is limited...$$$. I 've been looking at the
Geo Knight 9x12 swing away for $279.
Vesta 15x15 Clamshell for $295.
HPN 15x15 Clamshell $319.
HIX  Hobby Lite 9x12 $325. with free shipping.
Cochise is your press a swing away or clamshell that has a floating upper platen. Uncle Remus mentions his clamshell has a floating lower platen? Can someone please explain which is better ...if so?
Cochise, great tip on where the pressure adjustment nut location should be, but Most of the presses I've seen All look the same?
I'm sure any info would be very helpful to me and others that are just starting out as well.
My absolute budget buster would be the HPN 15x15 swing away for 399.
I want to "buy-rite" for my business with as much as I can in this price range for now as a business venture and not a hobby.
All advice, purchase referrals, personal experiences etc. welcome
Happy Holidays...cre8

[MonkeyMeMe]

Well i am ordering a vesta from roger tomorrow too, a 16x20, a lil smaller so i can have the magnetic close and auto open one at the studio and one at the shop

I would totally suggest purchasing from Lou or Roger as they will stand behind it if there are any problems down the road.

keep us posted on what you decide

[cre8art]

Thanks for the reply mmm..I'm not familiar with Roger? I'm reading up on the Vesta 15x15 clamshell on se for 295. It doesn't mention nothing about a silicone pad pressing surface, adjustment for items 1" thick, heating indicator light or adjust temperature control...are any of these standard on most machines or an individual mfg. feature to look for? And are these all necessary features to have?...especially the silicone pad pressing surface?
Maybe Roger can jump in on this?
Thanks, cre8

[MonkeyMeMe]

Roger is a member here,, he is Plan b,   on here,, i would send him or lou a message to see their opinon on this

[cre8art]

Thanks!  your...Helpful as usual!

[uncle remus]

maybe floating was the wrong word for my lower platen, but it moves so when i close the top platen the bottom platen moves to give more even pressure when closing. Others may do this also, i have no clue about that, cause this is the only press i have ever used.

A word of advise if you can afford it get the biggest one you can! I currently have a 16x20 & I now could use a bigger one ( i want to do all-over prints on shirts & other large items).

Happy shopping 

[COCHISE]

My most commonly used press is a 15 x 15 Hix clamshell. The top platen moves around and has the adjustment bolt on the upper platen. I have 2 other 15" clamshell presses as backup. Neither are as good as the HIX. One component that often falls out of conversation is the distance the clamshell press opens. Sticking your head under 400 degrees to print hundreds of items gets old and obviously it is difficult to align the shirt when there is limited space.

Best Blanks spent a lot of time and energy compiling this comparison of heat presses. It might be slightly dated but it offers good data.

http://www.bestblanks.com/heatpresscomparison.html

My advice is to not cheap out this purchase. Your business plan should include your future plans for imprinting. If the biggest printer you will ever choose to own is an Epson C-88 that prints 8.5 x 11, then buy the best press you can afford that will print 8.5 x 11.

The heating element is the prime candidate for poor results or inconsistent printing and temperature. Many of the presses use the same style and shape element as your electric oven. Look at the ovens element, that distance between curves will be a cold zone on the heat press platen unless the distance is considerably reduced. This link discusses this issue in screen print flash dryers but the element in heat presses are doing the same job. Clicking on more info you find a video where Bob explains what I am referring to.

http://silkscreennow.com/silk-screen-now-dryers.html

Lots of stuff huh........ the best way to solve the issue is to contact Lou or Roger or Ed, after picking one press they market that you can afford and ask questions.

Ken

[edproworld]

Just keep in mind, until they update the technology, the Vesta machine temperature control is not accurate. We are offering a nice discount to anyone who wants to purchase one with the current temperature controller. You can contact me personally for the pricing.

[cre8art]

I've decided to go with swing away, I know "Maximum size" is highly recommended.
But what size has some of you successfully used when you started up to just printing Tee's? 9x12>12x14>15x15? and not ran into any major issues.

At what Tee shirt size in the XL, 2XL etc would you NOT be able to press successfully due to the smaller size press? And any possible workarounds if any?
Thanks Ed for the info on the Vesta, but even with a tight budget I'm looking for best Press for the buck I can afford without issues.

Does anyone have opinions or personal experience with the HPN Brand 15x15 SwingAway??

Thanks All