Screen Printers Open - A Forum for Screen Printing and Embroidery

OK....  I know that there is a ton of knowledge floating around on this site.  I am currently running a 6/4 Brown press and a 8/8 Workhorse as my two primary presses.  I am usually printing on my own with help available when I need it for long runs.  My bread and butter are the typical 1, 2 and 3 color jobs for schools, bands, events, etc...  usually in the 100 - 300 piece range.  I am looking to get into a entry level auto to serve my needs and speed up my production times when needed.  I am not looking to break the bank for this purchase but I am willing to spend what I need to get into something decent.  I was hooked on finding a used Tuf Javelin but lately have been directed to think about the possibility of a Precision oval.  I think a 4 color would suit my needs, possibly a 6.  I know absoultely nothing about these presses and would love to hear some info on them and past experiences.  I have the room in my shop to place it.  I assume that you can mount flash units in the heads if needed? 

Basically I am just trying to see if this would be a good fit or if I should be keeping my eyes open for something else to pop up.  There is a TUF Olympian on DS for $6,000 that I may call about today.   Thanks gang.

Unless you can get one for 0-$500, I would forget it. You cannot put a flash on one
of the heads. You would have to add a "smart head" before a flash and both go on
the loading side of the press. As you cannot turn off individual heads, you cannot
P/F/P. Although M& R will still give you technical help, unless you are doing spot
colors with non-critical registration on light color shirts, use your money on something
worthwhile. Precisions had their moment, but we cannot live in the past. I have been
told that our two in mothballs may be worth something to a cruise line to use as an
anchor. 

Doug,
The 6 color I ran in Atlanta had a flash that I put in the second print head.  It was always in the down position.  As for a PFP I do not understand why you could not do that.  As you know these babies index at warp speed.  The downside as you mentioned is the inability to turn off the heads when starting a multicolor.  Lots of pellons are needed.  There are people in the south that will not upgrade their ovals.  Ruppshirts in Tallahassee has 3.  Is it a press for doing high detail?  Yes and no.  It would print high detail as well as a "V" squeegee press.  But for what Streeter is currently doing it is a great choice.  In Atlanta we printed Cartoon Network, and even some 4 color process.  As for as a press that requires no compressor the oval is probably the easiest to run.

I got a call from someone in NC yesterday that has a freind with several Ovals in storage, hopefully I will hear back today.  Just trying to educate myself.

All the ovals I have seen were 3 phase. Do you have the power?

That would be pretty old machinery, it was the first auto my boss, when I worked for someone else, bought. That was in '81, 30 years ago. You could spend more time trying to get it top run than actually running it. It would have to be pretty cheap and be running right for me to buy one. Better an old Gauntlet from the mid nineties, you can still get parts and service. On the other hand, it was fairly reliable and made us some money, but again, loooongggg time ago.

Steve

There are both electric and hydraulic versions of the machine; the latter being far more numerous. You can mount a flash in the second print head depending on how mechanically inclined you may be. They did come with flashes although they were clunky and a bit dangerous.
Also I used to run an index lock button around to the load side of the machine as it is a pain to keep running around to the back especially when flashing. They are not famous for excellent registration although the latter version with rear locators are better. Some parts are simply not available unless salvaged......especially the chain.
Very important to note:
I've run/managed shops with many of these machines. it was quite common when using the Precision flash unit that the press ops would bypass the safety bar connection along the print head. This is extremely dangerous!!! If someone is working under the print head they are virtually invisible to anyone working the opposite side of the machine. If the machine is activated on that side with the safety bypassed bad things can happen.
In fact in San Fran a press op got his skull crushed and unfortunately the accident was terminal.

There is an Olympian on DS for 6K.  I have the space for it.  I do a lot of large size prints for bands so maybe it would not be a terrible thing to have.  Just so much more space then the Jav.