DSF

Hi All

After a visit to P&P yesterday I am now torn between two presses.


http://www.pressmech.co.uk/site/index.php?a3-bag-press - at the best part of 1300 quid plus vat but including 3 plattens

or

http://www.themagictouch.co.uk/acatalog ... Press.html - at 895 quid plus vat with one platten

The great thing about the pressmech is the plattens are really easy to change and as the platten mount is on an arm and you have loads of room under the press items such as bulky hi viz jacket sleeves are really easy to do. Its British made and although it doesn't look as sexy or high tech as the TMT/Adkins everything is easy to repair and replace and uses standard easily obtainable electronic control gear. But is is 1275 quid plus VAT.

The TMT/Adkins is probably made in China but to Adkins spec rather than Chinese/Ebay bare minimum spec! Its a lot cheaper but still costs 895 quid plus VAT.It does have a removable lower platten but the range of plattens availablke is quite limited. The gap under the press is quite small compared to the Pressmech and it doesn't mount onto an arm and so it would be no where near as quick and easy to get bulky garments onto the platten. I can get around the lack of plattens available for the Adkins as I am fortunate enough to have access to a CNC milling machine, a workshop and spent a long time working in engineering. That said they wouldn't be cheap to make as aluminium plate and closed cell silicon rubber are not exactly cheap - an A4 platten would cost me maybe 40 quid to make plus my time.

However, as I am also looking to buy an Oki white laser printer (from TMT) it makes sense to buy a 'system' from one supplier - when things go wrong there is no buck passing between suppliers!

On the face of it the ultra flexible Pressmech does look like the better buy even if it is a quite a bit more dosh - its very versatile. But the TMT/Adkins sticks with the same supplier as the printer the press will be used with.

So question is - anyone have any pearls of wisdom about either the Pressmech or the Adkins presses and the back up from the suppliers as well??? I really can't afford a four figure mistake!


Arthur

Hi Arthur,

People often say that buying the kit from one supplier is a good idea, but that's advice for newbies who don't know what they are doing. There is no connection between the role of a press and a printer, they are completely different. If you were buying a bulk ink system and a printer, then I would buy from the one supplier, but even then we have enough technical knowledge to find out where any problem lies. So base your decision on the press you actually like.

The Adkins is in Dunstable, not far from you, so take a look at it and get a feel for it. There is nothing cheap Chinese about the Adkins, they make Dysons there too!

Add your membership discount to the Adkins if you buy from Xpres and there's a another tasty £95 off the price.

I'm sure the Adkins is capable of the job and it is certainly reliable. I would guess they are more competitively priced as they are more popular and wouldn't be a reflection of the quality.

Do you need three platens in reality or is one going to just lie about?

I would take one of your hi-vis jackets and try it out, one of the presses might annoy you in use.

Hi Mr Smith

You know my feeling on the subject as I was with you however there are a couple of other things to consider

Firstly I have just done 1000 hi vis bomber jackets which were back and FLB prints, I used the standard platen on my Adkins without any problems. The bigger problem you will have with that type of material is finding a transfer that will apply and stick at less than 135 degrees. This is because the jackets have stitching inside them which melts at a higher temp and subsequently leaves a printed line on the outside. When you pop over I will show you what I mean.

You may want to consider the resell value and how easy it would be to sell on should you need to. Personally I think the Adkins is an easier sell secondhand.

If you really need to switch between platens that quickly then also look at a Stahls press. There is a really nice one on the market for about £1500

Finally if you can make your own platens I may well be calling on you for some

Adkins presses are British and made in Hinckley in Leicestershire....15 mins up the road from me...

I've used an Adkins Beta Maxi for the best part of 13 years, it was second hand when I bought it. It has never missed a beat and is used most days. Not sure about the Pressmech ones, but they do look pretty good..and also British made

DS Designs;84221 wrote:Adkins presses are British and made in Hinckley in Leicestershire....15 mins up the road from me...

They used to be made in Hinckley but according to Xpres the 'small' presses are now made in 'The Far East' but as I said above,to Adkins spec rather than Chinese ebay spec ;o)

Hi SG

I will be over this evening - see you later. I'll try and remember to ring before I set out just in case you are on a mission somewhere


Mr Smith

Am not going anywhere today so come when you like. No point in calling, its very very rare that I answer my mobile (its normally a client needing something urgent so I avoid )

Arthur is correct about the Adkins no longer being made in the UK, certainly my Auto Clam range are made overseas as this was the problem I had recently.

a small number presses were not calibrated before they left the factory, and obviously each one is not checked exhaustively here before they are sold.
I have heard that they are no longer made here by several people connected with the company in various ways.

personally this does not worry me as I cant see where any corners have been cut.

I am considering making a 'Caddy' for my main press so I have more room underneath (got the idea from the pressmech machines).

big week ahead for me, website is opening and I will be moving my office when I get home.. Into a bigger room.

News to me with the Adkins presses then ..Oh well