Full Version: Seeing is believing...
From: Michael [#5]
12 Oct 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1] 12 Oct 2005
:-( Wet blanket time: Any idea what customs or other duties will be due when it gets to port of entry? Any idea who to check with?
But, here's a smilieface to make up for the grumpyface: :P
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6]
12 Oct 2005
To: Michael [#5] 13 Oct 2005
There is one way to find out, and that will be by asking the 'bargain shopper" when the mug press shows up.
I'll be sure to report back on that troubling detail. I do know that shipping was $102.
From: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#7]
12 Oct 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1] 13 Oct 2005
David,
Another merchant in the mall tells me that while he was in Hong Kong recently he saw what he described as a complete Yag laser system for about 30,000.00.
I don't know if he was correct but he certainly used all the right words in his description. He says he saw it producing crystal blocks with images lasered in them.
I wonder if it is a cousin to the mug press.
Dee
From: Peter [#8]
12 Oct 2005
To: ALL
The reality factor for a lot of machinery manufacturers world wide is the asian nations now are producing equivalent or better technologies for anything up to an 1/8 of the cost.
Forget the old , but they do it for peanuts routine..havent heard anyone complain about the $ 2.00 import shops everywhere.
Korean ship building labourers are being paid....$ 70,000 US for a 40 hour week, then theres over time...these countries are using the technologies and systems to THEIR advantage..
As for engraving machinery and lasers etc..I would say it wont be long before the USA is flooded with machinery that cost $ 60-70,000 US by US manufacturers to produce, being sold for $ 10 - 20,000 US made from Taiwanese, Chinese manufacturers, large format flatbed rotary engravers with German and Japanese lead screws, H.F. spindles 8' x 4' tables for as low as $ 16,000 US...yep you read it right !
regards
Peter
From: Michael [#9]
13 Oct 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6] 13 Oct 2005
I did some more poking around after I posted that question.
Tried the Customs Service web data base that is supposed to provide that kind of information, but after half an hour I realized I had no idea what class/code to input for that type of item...dead end.
Because UPS is one of the shipping options I've sent an email to UPS customer service asking for their input on imports from Hong Kong. UPS also collects import taxes for the government, so should be able to help with information.
The web site for the database is down for maintenance today, but if anyone wants to look at it tomorrow, here's the url: http://dataweb.usitc.gov/.
Oh, almost forgot. Sent an email requesting the same information to the email address on that web site. The response was timely and states that import taxes on their products, when shipped individually, are not usually levied by the USA. Sent a reply this morning asking how much tax when the US *does* levy a tax.
Yeah, I saw the shipping rates, but they don't look outlandish at when you consider the origin, and, $260 total for a mug press compared to $600, $700 for similar models either made or sold here is...impressive.
And, as silly as the thought might be, shipments into the of single,really inexpensive products into theUS might be a guise to cover other, and much less acceptable, shipments.
Time will tell.
EDITED: 13 Oct 2005 by MICHAEL
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10]
13 Oct 2005
To: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#7] 13 Oct 2005
If you look at the other equipment on that site, you'll see laser and rotary (CNC Router) equipment at .99 cent store pricing.
As Peter points out, the Asians are on a mission and the old saying, "You get what you pay for" may not apply.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#11]
13 Oct 2005
To: Michael [#9] 14 Oct 2005
Apparently no duties, tariffs etc.
The all-inclusive charge to my friend's credit card was $271.
Mug press, extra heating blanket and shipping.
From: Michael [#12]
14 Oct 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#11] 14 Oct 2005
That's good news. :-)
Maybe I missed it on the web site, but does the equipment have any type of warranty? If so, how does one take advantage of it if it breaks during the thrid mug?
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#13]
14 Oct 2005
To: Michael [#12] 15 Oct 2005
Michael,
According to my friend, the press comes with a 1-year warranty.
I hear the company has been very responsive, so far.
How promptly and efficiently warranty matters are resolved, would be the acid test.
EDITED: 14 Oct 2005 by DGL
From: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#14]
14 Oct 2005
To: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#7] 14 Oct 2005
I have a customer who purchased a 28 head Yag laser system from Somewhere in China for 25K. This system was built to do the crystal cubes 28 at a time. He has had it for 8 months now and it has only worked properly for one week.
He is currently waiting for a tech to come here to get it to work properly and he has to foot the bill for the expenses.
There are some instances of you get what you pay for.
From: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#15]
14 Oct 2005
To: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#14] 20 Oct 2005
Before I would lay out that kind of money for an untried product they would have to guarantee me the world and then some in blood.
The guy who asked me about the YAG asked me if Harv & I would consider some kind of partnership. He wants it to do the cubes which he claims he can bring into this country in crystal for $1.08. He claims he has a friend in the UK (his home country) who is using the machine with great success. I told him I was not interested.
Dee
From: Mick [#16]
15 Oct 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#13] 15 Oct 2005
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#17]
15 Oct 2005
To: Mick [#16] 16 Oct 2005
Interesting. I didn't know that.
That would rule out buying a Hong Kong (HK) mug press, for the purpose of resale, but unless we're missing something, buying for the purpose of personal use, is in-bounds.
I don't understand how the mug press can enter the U.S., duty-free, unless those charges are built-in. <shrug>
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18]
19 Oct 2005
To: ALL
Temp readout is in centigrade.
From: Peter [#19]
19 Oct 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18] 19 Oct 2005
Celsius ...Oh No..will that confuse you all! or what !!! :P :S
regards
Peter
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
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
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
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