A question about cheap presses

[JBDesign]

Hi, I'm new here and obviously full of dumb questions. . .
The first of which is regarding cheap heat presses. (flat bed ones) I have researched fairly extensively online and the variety of heat presses is pretty bewildering.
Is the issue with cheap presses that they will be unreliable, or that they don't produce good results? I guess i am asking what is wrong with cheap ones? As I assume there must be some reason they are around £160 as opposed to nearer £300 or more. I am tempted to get an in between model, in the £230 - £250 region, small to medium platen. I won't be mass producing, just demoing some arty tile designs to show around to gallery type places to see if they might be interested. But I want the ability to knock out more if required, just not industrial amounts
What does the team think?
Jon

[malfunction]

Hi Jon, I would say go for a decent quality one even if it means buying secondhand, they seem to hold their price so if you wanted to sell on again later you would probably get most if not all of your money back.
Having said that i'm using a budget (senco) press that I got used for £45 !! and that included a 450x450 plate a cap press 2 plate presses and a separate mug press, bit of a bargain and it works fine for applying vinyl to t shirts etc. I haven't got into sublimation yet so don't know if it will be up to the job or not.


Mal

[socialgiraffe]

I would always go for quality, they hold the heat better, have a more consistent all over temperature and hold the temp to a more accurate level.

I think Nik (a newbie) on here purchased a cheap one and after about a month sent it back and got an Adkins instead as it was just too much hassle.

[Justin]

Echo what the others say here. I have an Adkins which is brilliant, that said, I also have a £100 Coralgraph press (as used by Paul in the videos section) and so far this has served me very well. The cheaper press is just A4 but heats up quickly, uses much less power and works a treat for slates etc. I bought this as it's easier to do the thicker items, acrylics for example. I've used Chinese presses in the past, overall they've been fine but nothing comes close to the Adkins for consistency and build quality.

[JBDesign]

Many thanks for your input guys, really appreciate it. My brain now hurts from scrolling pages and pages of stuff!
I found a couple of things, not sure why I chose them apart from the fact that they looked solid and they are clam ones as i don't have a lot of space for a swing out one. I can't afford an Adkins, and the second hand ones I could find were in the West Midlands or Andover and collection only. I'm sure they are superb though.

Expensive option - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271199021790? ... 1423.l2649

cheap option - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271020533536? ... 1423.l2649

Any thoughts,

I'll get a ricoh sg3110dn, some paper and tile blanks from BMS. What else would i need? Heat tape I think, and some welders gloves or similar. Do I need a heat proof cloth or somesuch? The video at BMS mentions that you should use one but they don't seem to sell them. hmmph.

I think I'll take a break and stop obsessing
cheers,
Jon

[Justin]

Stahls are a very well built machine, OK, this is the basic clam press but will still be great quality I would expect.

[socialgiraffe]

Stahls are up there with Adkins in terms of build quality and reliability. Adkins do a similar model sold by Xpres. NikGrey (a member on here) purchased one as you get a discount if you are a premium DSF member.

You will need some teflon sheets to protect your heat press (cheap on ebay)

I have never used gloves when pressing, admittedly very occasionally I have burnt my fingers but in general I don't. Might be different with tiles though.

Also, as you are pressing tiles you might want a soft pad (sold by The Magic Touch). Not sure on this to be honest because I do not do tiles, but it is worth doing some research on that bit.

[malfunction]

This might be worth a look.

http://www.coralgraph.com/heat-press/fl ... 0e7743cd55

Mal

[RogerC]

Out of those two...Stahls every time. Keep a look out on fleabay for a good secondhand one....Stahls, Adkins come up now and again. I got my Stahls for under half retail and it is like new.

[JBDesign]

Thanks folks,
I'll keep an eye on ebay but I don't want to prevaricate too long, I am too prone to that

The coralgraph looks interesting too, cheers Mal
I'll check out the magic touch cloth thing.

I like this place
Jon