Recommendations please

[Kaz]

Hi folks

We currnetly have a 38x38 heat press that we bought from ebay, and it's not doing the job it needs to do :(

I've got the strangest feeling that it's got blank spots on, or isn't heating to the temperature it says, as it's a total nightmare.

It's a clam shell design, and I'm also fed up burning my fingers on it :cry:

So, can anyone recommend a good heat press please?

I've heard talk about Adkins presses on here, are they any good, and if so, any ideas who has them at the best price?

Ideally, I'm looking for a swing away.

Thanks :D

[Justin]

I use the Adkins swing-away and it's a great press. That said, I believe the latest models aren't made in the UK, I may be wrong. My press is a few years old and is built like an ox, I had one of the newer models (grey platen) and build quality was still good but not as good. Only problems I've ever had, couple of blown fuses and the spring on the back can snap (all of £1 each!)

Swing-away is certainly the way to go for t-shirts as you can get all the way around but other than that there's no massive benefit. If I wasn't doing tee's and had the budget I'd look at the Stahls Hotronix (Target Transfers) Build quality is supposed to be second to none. They have auto release presses which is useful (I have this on a Chinese press) and the new presses even have swing away AND drawer opening options. These presses are very expensive though. You can rent them which I considered to get a feel for them.

If you can get a good Adkins second hand I think that's the best way to go. I was lucky to get one pretty much unused. They're in high demand so prices are still kept high.

[bms]

http://www.xpres.co.uk/shoppingcart/...g/Presses.html

Xpres do the premium range as per the link above. We can get these marginally cheaper from Xpres so if you want Xpres to supply with a discount off the price then please let us know.

[Kaz]

Would love to be able to afford one of those Stahls, maybe next year :lol:

Thanks Martin, will take a look at those and get back to you.

Just had a look on ebay for an adkins press, and someone reckons they got an Adkins from the magic touch :?: But I can't get their site to load just now :(

[Justin]

Yes, Magic Touch also stock them....

http://www.themagictouch.co.uk/hardware/heatpress.htm

[Kaz]

What about Geo Knight heat presses, are they any good?

[Justin]

DK3 mug press is good but personally I wouldn't bother with the flat heat presses, they have a decent reputation but I don't think they're anything special.

[Kaz]

Thanks Justin.

I'm trying to register an account with stahls, but I don't have a valid VAT ID, so I can't, will need to phone my OH and get his companies one :lol:

[Justin]

If you need to speak with someone at Target Transfers try Heather Robertson in Sales ;)

[Kaz]

Thanks again Justin :)

Have now registered direct with stahls, just waiting on them verifying details and sending me an account number, and then I can see how much they charge :D