What is the best manual press?

$170 per head to get side clamps on the Legend, just had that conversation with Dave when I called about a leveling issue and discussed making M3's work in it.

We've had a 6 color 6 station M&R sidewinder for 6 years now, we will never get rid of it. Even though we went automated we kept the Sidewinder and still use it weekley. It's a great press and you can really do anything on it. We've done jobs from 4 color process, to 6 color simulated process, sleeve printing, pocket printing, cap printing, jacket back, over sized and AOP printing on the press. The registration is very easy and very accurate. You can also use the M&R triloc registration system with it which really simplifies anything from a perfectly aligned 1 color to a 6 color set up. I highly recommend the Sidewinder and go ahead and upgrade to the side clamping system, it is totally worth it. The only option I wish I would have put, and still might eventually add, is air screen clamps.

Mike

Pay me now or pay me later. I still say Sidewinder or Vastex.

1. Its a long term investment. Are you serious about printing or not. If not buy a silver press.
2. Resale later when you upgrade.
3. Used equipment is always out there.
4. Bad equipment=bad business. Is it your ability to print or the equipment causing problems.
5. There are almost endless variables in screen printing try to eliminate as many as possible with good equipment.
6. Will you be able to hold registration pushing poly ink through a screen.

I have both and both are great at what we use them for. We had two Sidewinders for a shot time and wish I had not sold the second one. Our Sidewinder works at least five days a week 8 hours a day. It has been in our shop for three years (second owner, its six years old) and other then cleaning, some grease and the occasional adjustment it works perfect.

are you kidding me....a 5700 investment is too much. are you starting a business or a hobby? if you want to start a business you had better start figuring out what it really costs to be in business.

at 5700 investment to make 10X off that in the first year would be very easy....

you have to start looking at the whole picture...like Blinkspot said...pay me now or pay me later....I would rather have a great solid piece of equipment like M&R vs. anything else out there...M&R holds their value, they have a great rebate program and they are second to none....

again...look hard at the business plan...

Truthstore... the question was:
"What is the best manual press?"

The answer appears to be:
"Sidewinder"

The best manual press is one that:
1) holds registration
2) has good micros
3) is tool free
4) has fast pallet changeover
5) easy to spin for long runs
6) is the right height for you to comfortably print
7) side clamps are a plus
8) makes you money regardless of its price tag

Am I missing anything?

Options avaliable such as pallets, reg system (it will pay for itself with the first couple of multi colored jobs), etc.
Max screen size, we run everything from 20x24-25x36 on the Sidewinder and up to 36x36 on the Vastex.

Just saying

I have an original Hopkins Side clamp press that can print with 23x31 frames. Awesome built like a tank. Six colors four stations. Shrink wrapped upstairs ready for shipping 3K Located in Chas Sc

Depends on whether or not you are taking your new venture seriously, we were, we are now, 6 years later growing into the possibility of finally adding a second auto. Not that other brands of manuals won't do the trick, but I personally don't see investing money into a tool that you will later regret, or have to upgrade, especially something like a manual press, this one will stay with us till we retire. I grew up in a family of building contractors and saw how cheaping out just doesn't cut it long term. Sidewinder, is very precise, using steel bearings vs plastic stubs for it's registration, big thing, it's interchangeable with M&R automatics, so if and when you move up the ladder, you aren't sitting with a bunch of wood pallets, anything you use pallet wise can be interchanged. You can pick up sidewinders all day long on the used market used and be very comfortable buying one as they are built to last. We knew when we started up that we were investing for our life time, and if, God forbid, it didn't work out, what we invested in would at least have a high re-sale value because of what it was. Just my 2 cents.

Best of luck in what ever you choose.

Mike

Vastex

Try over at TheShirtBoard.com This site is more about buying and selling vs discussion.

Stay away from the Riley with the joy stick reg. IMO Vastex 2000 series or M&R Sidewinder, both great presses. Side clamps are a nice option to get.

Yup get your eyes off of the Riley unless you get the Aero series with standard micros but at that price you have a ton of better options as Binkspot pointed out.

If you're a static frame user and know you will be for a long time, then the Antec Legend is right up there in quality with the best. It's a rear clamp press though but I think you can get them in side clamp versions?

Benefit of an M&R manual is the pallets will swap over to an M&R auto (or any M&R style pallet automatic press)