Swing or clam?

[twinsgran]

I'm getting closer to buying a heat press after reading lots of posts and visiting numerous sites. The major question that I keep asking myself is should I have the swing away or the clam? I've seen both on ebay at a good price and don't want to make a mistake at this point by rushing in.
I have a large empty room waiting, so space is not a problem. I would value your opinions.

[WorthDoingRight]

Hi,

It will probably all depend on what items you are looking to press in your press. If you are going to want to do thicker items such as slates then the swing presses tend to be more suited. However if you are going to be doing mainly flatter items such as mousemats and t-shirts then clam presses often have a larger platen which can be useful.

As a hobbyist, that likes to dabble I use my swing press more than my clamshell press and remember you need more room to accommodate a swing press than a clam - so that may also be a factor.

[twinsgran]

I'm buying mainly to do jigsaws and a few plaques so I will need a 38 x38. As I say, space is not a problem. An empty bedroom awaits! I'll also be gettng a mug press to go alongside it.

[WorthDoingRight]

If you are only going to be doing flat jigsaws then either will do the job but the larger platen of a 40 x 50 or 38 x 38 clam might suit your needs better than the usually smaller 30 x 38 swing press

[socialgiraffe]

Hi Twinsgram

Most important thing is to buy from a reputable supplier. They maybe more expensive than the cheapies seen on ebay but they are better quality.

If you are only doing the items above then a clam is plenty suitable. Vision is restricted for positioning the items on a clam shell so if that is going to a problem a swing away is better. That said, I have a clam and it has suited my needs 100% as I only do similar flat items.

[twinsgran]

Just had a thought, if I wanted to do A3 puzzles, would the 38 x 38 be big enough?

[socialgiraffe]

No twinsgran

As you probably already know, A3 is 42 x 29.7cm

[twinsgran]

Oh, the company quoting me for the puzzles say their A3 ones are 36 x 25. I didn't think to check what size A3 was.

[socialgiraffe]

I would say that if the puzzles are 36 x 25 a 38x38 heat press might be a bit too small. You are very reliant on this being a top heat press and that the element runs the entire size of the platen, you have also said you are going to purchase a cheapie from ebay so it probably wont.

I purchased a DF50 40cm x 50cm from BMS which has never let me down and also gives a nice even temperature. I know they are out of stock of these but I would suggest going for something about that size if you want to do A3 size pressing

[beefyor1983]

http://www.printerowners.co.uk/hardware-equipment/714/df50-40cm-x-50cm-clam-action-heat-press.htm
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200846185579?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Does anyone reckon these 2 are the same i do!!! hmm its from china hmmm

[pisquee]

With everything from China, never assume that because two things look alike that they actually are. Even stuff that is branded the same, and has the same model number, can have very different components inside.

[bms]

I purchased a DF50 40cm x 50cm from BMS which has never let me down and also gives a nice even temperature. I know they are out of stock of these but I would suggest going for something about that size if you want to do A3 size pressing

Back in stock in around 10 days... :)

[bms]

http://www.printerowners.co.uk/hardware-equipment/714/df50-40cm-x-50cm-clam-action-heat-press.htm
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200846185579?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Does anyone reckon these 2 are the same i do!!! hmm its from china hmmm

I can confirm they are not the same product - the control units are different, mechanics of opening/ closing are different as well, so the heat platen and other components are likely to be different as well.

[beefyor1983]

Back in stock in around 10 days... :)
aha nice 1

[socialgiraffe]

Hi Beef

They may well look identical but that does not mean they are exactly the same machine. You can have a look through Alibaba and see loads of companies selling exactly the same heat press, but they are made in different factories. Some use better electronic components than others which is why some are more expensive.

[beefyor1983]

Hi Beef

They may well look identical but that does not mean they are exactly the same machine. You can have a look through Alibaba and see loads of companies selling exactly the same heat press, but they are made in different factories. Some use better electronic components than others which is why some are more expensive.

aw i know mate and im gona take the advice and go with bms ill have order through on friday martin. Its only £ 20 more and i know where it has come from.

[beefyor1983]

I can confirm they are not the same product - the control units are different, mechanics of opening/ closing are different as well, so the heat platen and other components are likely to be different as well.
yes mate i see its different when i look closer

[Paul]

sorry for hijacking but anone can tell me what orientation of platen is in those chinese clam presses? are they vertical o horizontal??

those i have seen on ebay and other websites are horizontal. and that really sucks! i would love to get vertical one but it looks like only expensive, posh models are build like that.

[WorthDoingRight]

My chinese 'japanese quality' clamshell press is portrait if that is what you mean with the short side facing the operator. I have never seen a vertical press if you mean like a trouser press in a hotel.

[Paul]

Thats the one!!! Any lnk to your press please??? How mch was it and how gig it is??

[WorthDoingRight]

Wont be very useful link as it appears CG out of stock but gives you an idea:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40-x-50-cm-Garment-Heat-Press-Ce-Certified-New-Model-Clamp-Press-/221103304891?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item337ac8b0bb

[Paul]

I was thinking about this on for long time. Coukd you do me a favor buddy? I need to see some pictures of it fully open and how much space is there betwen back of platen and control box if you know what i mean???

[WorthDoingRight]

Will see what I can do at least with measurements as currently redecorating the office and everything is under dust sheets etc. I think BMS used to sell one also called the DF50 if I remember right.

[Paul]

Yes. But i think it was diferent press.

[bms]

sorry for hijacking but anone can tell me what orientation of platen is in those chinese clam presses? are they vertical o horizontal??

those i have seen on ebay and other websites are horizontal. and that really sucks! i would love to get vertical one but it looks like only expensive, posh models are build like that.

Our DF50 has the 50cm edge facing you. Our DF450 has the 40cm edge facing you. Both are the same heat press area (50cm x 40cm or 40cm x 50cm).

[WorthDoingRight]

Our DF50 has the 50cm edge facing you. Our DF450 has the 40cm edge facing you. Both are the same heat press area (50cm x 40cm or 40cm x 50cm).

Thanks, Martin for clearing that up!

[dynamix]

HI guys,

just reading thru the forum as Im looking to buy a heat press this week...

I was last night about to place an order with Lovecut...Thankfully I did not! Although I gotta say I did call them the other day and they did answer the phone, but I recon they are a 1 man operation.

Anyhow, after reading advise I looked on Coralgraphs site, and they dont seem to have any swing away or clam presses on the site, so im guessing out of stock.

Might go with BMS DF 50 which Im assuming is big enough for A4 prints?

Any more advise appriciated

[socialgiraffe]

Hi Dynamix

I have the DF50 and have been very impressed. My IR Thermometer shows good even temperature and the item is well built.

One modification I would recommened is with the handle. I have changed the screws to be a solid rod that goes right through the handle and out the other side. I found this to be better to clamp shut for heavy pressure items.

You will see what I mean if you purchase the press.

[dynamix]

Cheers for the info mate, I might have to invest in that one then!

[WorthDoingRight]

One modification I would recommened is with the handle.

So I am not the only one that wonders if their handle is likely to snap when clamping lol. Whether this is common with clamshell presses I am not sure but due to the longer arm length you do wonder if it is going to bend or snap which I do not seem to have with the shorter handle on my swing arm press.

[socialgiraffe]

I never felt like it was going to snap, it was just the fact that I felt there was too much pressure on the screws supplied that attach the rubber cased handle. So I put a steel rod through the middle of it just to be safe.

[beefyor1983]

i bought the df50 and my handle is bent to the stage where i cant clamp down now im having to bend the handle back up all the time any ideas folks is there a warranty on these

[socialgiraffe]

I did that the other day, I just simply bent it back up again.

A local metal worker to me has said to bring the unit down and he will make a better handle for it for £30.00 which I will probably do.

[beefyor1983]

yes but i know if i keep bending it back and forward the steel will soften and break off ive barely used mine for 50 presses like alwaya thought this stuff was higher quality

[Disco_Dave46]

My turn to hijack the convo now... I'm looking at the DF50 (was also looking at a cheapie on ebay) as I'm going to be doing phone covers would this be a good choice or anybody with another suggestion