new mug press advice?

[spongerobinson]

hi all,

just looking for some advice on a new mug press as I think it's about time we stepped up our quality. we've been using a press which has served us well until today, when the mug wrap sort of sizzled, popped, emitted smoke, and then tripped the power in the house! :rolleyes:

to be fair it has served us well until recently, and manufacturer/supplier is replacing the blanket for us FOC. But, it's got us thinking that we really need to get something of much better quality, so I was thinking the experienced people here would know what to go for.

I've been looking at some of the Adkins models from Xpres. Has anyone used these before? Are there any other suppliers anyone can recommend?

The one we have now is based on the standard Chinese model that alot of suppliers seem to sell, so I'm a little reluctant to go with one of these again. Although, possibly these are just made from the same design, but the cheaper ones use inferior parts? Our current one causes us a few problems from time to time. The screws holding the pressure bar in place come loose no matter how tight I make them, and cause the wrap to lift up a bit when pressure is applied to a mug.

So basically just looking for the sound advice of the experts on here, as to what might be best to go for.

cheers,

kevin

[Justin]

i use two of the Adkins Mug presses along with a couple of Chinese presses. i would highly recommend the Adkins presses above anything I've ever used, first class machine. Chinese presses are fine in my own experience but you do get what you pay for

[Renniwano]

I highly recommend Listawoods Genie.. not the cheapest press on the market but doing me proud so far

[spongerobinson]

thanks for the replies guys...the listawood genie "looks" very similar to what we have already. same design etc. but I'd assume they are made to a higher quality then what we have. the adkins look so tempting, but obviously a bit more pricey. justin, can I ask who you bought your adkins from? I've found The magic touch, and Xpres, as potential suppliers...anybody aware of anywhere cheaper?

[pisquee]

You are right in your assumption, there is a standard design of 'Cheap/Chinese' mug press, and there is a wide range of prices you can buy these for, and there is also a matching range of the actual quality of the press in its components and how well/in what way they are assembled. For us, we prefer the horizontal design of these, rather that the vertical design of the Adkins and Jarin presses we had, which we sold to buy more Chinese ones!

[spongerobinson]

You are right in your assumption, there is a standard design of 'Cheap/Chinese' mug press, and there is a wide range of prices you can buy these for, and there is also a matching range of the actual quality of the press in its components and how well/in what way they are assembled. For us, we prefer the horizontal design of these, rather that the vertical design of the Adkins and Jarin presses we had, which we sold to buy more Chinese ones!

thanks pisquee...thats what I was thinking alright! It's just hard to know which suppliers will have the good ones, and which will have the bad ones. Where do you get yours from?

Have been looking at the Adkins dual press model, which would be good for us as space is limited and would allow either two mugs at once, or set up a 6oz one side, 11oz on the other side, and not be worried about constantly changing wraps! I like the fact that the Adkins are british made.

[Justin]

Not 100% sure Adkins are British made, British assembled yes. That said, the quality remains excellent and hard to beat. The twin press is a great bit of kit.

[spongerobinson]

Not 100% sure Adkins are British made, British assembled yes. That said, the quality remains excellent and hard to beat. The twin press is a great bit of kit.

very tempted by the twin press alright! looks like really good build quality. you could be right about the assembled/made thing, but I suppose a huge advantage would be they are a long running company that seem to have a great rep as far as heat presses go.

Some day we'll have the best of everything equipment wise

[pisquee]

Adkins in the past certainly were British made, hard to know how things have changed over the years though, and what they have outsourced.

[Justin]

Originally they were indeed, which is why I stick with my slightly older flat-press. Whilst the build quality on newer models is still very good, imo the older presses are stronger. I believe they stopped making them themselves several years ago but can't be sure. You'll still not go far wrong Not sure what the situation is with mug presses but from experience I can vouch for them.