Buying a heat press?

[ATOJAR]

Hi all.

So we are looking into buying a new heat press, we have had three 3D vacuum heat presses in the past 3-4 years all have been model ST-3042 3D purchased from eBay, these things start out great but always seem to break after a couple of months to a year! ..... We are hoping to purchase something of better quality but around the same size as a ST-3042, preferably something actually made in the UK. Only thing is when we google the only thing we come up with is the ST-3042.

Its used predominantly to heat press onto photo slates

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

[Justin]

Depends on your budget. I would recommend Pressmech or possibly Adkins if you want a good solid reliable press. Xpres carry a few cheaper decent presses as well now. Also worth checking out Listawood.

[DyeSubSupplies]

If your looking for a good quality press we have the below in stock.
http://www.dyesublimationsupplies.co.uk ... Heat-Press

[ATOJAR]

That's a good way out of our price range, i will definitely check out some of the cheaper presses on that store though, thanks.

[Justin]

Don't rule out second hand, you'll often find an Adkins for example on eBay but they are sought after. I see one on there today but it looks quite old. The older models with matching upper platen were made in the UK, later ones with the grey platen are 'assembled' in the UK, still a great press but not quite as good as earlier.

I'd check the age of this one first.

Cheaper presses availaible:

http://www.dyesublimationsupplies.co.uk ... Heat-Press

https://www.xpres.co.uk/p-7947-studio-c ... xpres.aspx

http://www.listawoodtradesupplies.com/i ... LAT&pgnum=

All decent presses but in my opinion you'll be far better off with a swing press.

Make sure the press will lock down on thicker items. The Adkins for example, some models whilst opening wide enough to put a 20mm acrylic block in won't lock down without a lower platen adjustment/replacement.

[pisquee]

Couple of PressMechs currently on Ebay

[Justin]

Oh yes I missed that! Just seen one pretty much same as mine. Don't be fooled by the look of these presses, they're top notch. I got rid of my Adkins after working with Pressmech for the last few years.

[mr-gobby]

Whats the heat uniformity like across the plate on the pressmechs, Adkins say they work to about 2% tolerance.

[Justin]

Not sure what the official stat is but we've never had any issues whatseover.

[pisquee]

not sure I'd trust our infra red thermometer to say how accurate they are ... but, we love them so much we have 4!