Buying Used Automatic Presses

Camden, SC, United States

A word of caution to buyers of used carousel (M&R, Anatol, Tas, etc), if the machine is not assembled and operational beware. A dissembled machine could be hiding a ton of expensive repairs: bad CPU (computer)$$$$, lost program $$$$, numerous bad air lines or air valves $$$, bad proximity switches or $$$ (worst of all) center shaft bearings worn out $$$$$$.

The center shaft bearing problem is common in used carousel machines. This problem is very hard to detect on a machine that is not fully assembled and leveled. On a leveled assembled machine this is pretty easy to spot: Grab a print arm with out the pallet attached, lift straight up hard and push straight down hard, you may notice a "bumping sound" or feel a "wobble" in your hands. This also can feel like a thump or a light hit in your hands. If these things occur it is likely the center shaft bearings (bushing have worn). When these bearings wear the machine will not accurately register to the expectation of most printers. We can repair this issue on must blue machines, however it is not cheap.

Over the years many comments have been made about unscrupulous machinery dealers and rightfully so (crooks). These guys pop up like herpes, you think they are cleared up and a new one surfaces. When you buy from an established dealer, you are working with a group that makes their living selling machines. As a dealer I can say, the last thing I want is bad reviews. When you buy from an individual (or someone that dabbles in machines), they are not so concerned about bad press, these guys may never sell another machine or they may only sell a couple a year through many different marketing venues.

caveat emptor

Seritech Inc.

ch54panel@yahoo.com