Full Version: Seeing is believing...

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#20]
 19 Oct 2005
To: Peter [#19] 4 Nov 2005

Peter,

I'm already confused over Centigrade and Celsius and I haven't even seen the press yet. :-) 

I guess the good news is, once the temp. conversion is made, no further adjustements will be necessary.

EDITED: 19 Oct 2005 by DGL

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#21]
 11 Nov 2005
To: ALL

== UPDATE ==

I got a chance to see and use the Hong Kong mug press.

One thing I noticed immediately; the heating blanket itself "floats" within the cylindrical housing surrounding it. This is the first time I've seen a press where the heating blanket isn't glued to the housing.

The blanket is attached to the housing with six screws. Replacement of the blanket wouldn't take long or be involved.

Here's something I found odd: With the temp controls on the left side of the machine and the timer on the right, the switches that activate the respective mechanisms were counter-intuitive.

The power switch is on the right, while the timer switch is on the left. <shrug>

Heavy duty?

In comparison with pictures of the company's "light duty" model, definitely. In comparison with domestic mugs presses I've seen; comparable to some, but not as rigid as the Novachrome Mug Pro, which is the press I've had most experience with.

How did it perform?

Adequate. Seemed to produce enough heat, although I didn't test the temp with a laser temp. gun.

Printing close to the handle was a little dicey. Even though the mugs were in direct contact with the heat blanket, with ample pressure, it seemed that either the heating element didn't extend to the edges of the blanket, or the heat was unevenly distributed across the blanket.

We were printing an actual order of mugs, so I didn't experiment with how tall an image could be printed.

Preliminarily, I would say once a person realizes the limitations of the machine, and works within those parameters, it's a decent mug press.

It's too soon to rave about, or shoot down this mug press. I'm in semi-regular contact with the owners and if I get more experience with the press or hear any good/bad news, I'll be sure to report it.

From: UncleSteve [#22]
 11 Nov 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#21] 11 Nov 2005

David,

I haven't seen the press you are talking about but my Hix CW550 has the "floating" blanket and is also held in place with 6 screws... 3 on each edge of the blanket.

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#23]
 11 Nov 2005
To: UncleSteve [#22] 11 Nov 2005

Steve,

I guess if someone is going to knock-off a mug press, why not the originator of the full-wrap models? :-) 

Thanks for the info.

From: Mick [#24]
 12 Nov 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#23] 12 Nov 2005

Hix was not the originator of the full wrap. Sal Aramini of Speedy Die Co. held the patent for a number of years. Our patent attorney determined it was cheaper to pay him a royalty rather than fight a patent which we determined could be overcome. He let his patent lapse for non-payment of fees and we discontinued the royalty payments. Hix was somehow able to reserect the patent and had it assigned to them. We now pay the royalties to Hix.

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#25]
 12 Nov 2005
To: Mick [#24] 13 Nov 2005

Mick,

Thank you for the background information. Interesting.

Do royalties add significantly to the retail price of a heat press?

I doubt the Hong Kong companies are paying royalties to Hix, but don't know for sure.

EDITED: 12 Nov 2005 by DGL

From: Mick [#26]
 13 Nov 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#25] 13 Nov 2005

As ol Bill said, "It depends on what the meaning of is (significantly) is"

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