Full Version: Mug press opinions wanted
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7]
5 Apr 2006
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#6] 5 Apr 2006
I don't have one of the guns. Harvey knows more about the way they work, with respect to what angles they may, or may not, read most accurately.
I remember Harvey saying something about reflective surfaces not being very condusive to an accurate reading, in which case, masking tape can be placed over the area you're trying to read.
I don't go as much by what my heat press thermostat says, as by knowing the effects of a press being either too hot or too cold, which keeps me in the ballpark.
I think some of the guns can be had for as little as $25.
From: gt350ed [#8]
5 Apr 2006
To: GBengraver [#7] 5 Apr 2006
I have two Mug Pro presses from Novachrome. These are not the latest version. One is about 5 years old; the other about 4 1/2 years old.
Both are still going strong. If I were in the market for a new mug press, I would not hesitate to go with the same brand product.
As you are probably aware, these presses can do mugs and steins. But as has been pointed out, as is the case with virtually all the presses I'm aware of, you will need to leave a margin around the image: top, bottom and in proximity to the handle. This has not been an issue for us as we never were really interested in dong full coverage imaging. And we have done thousands of mugs and steins by now.
By the way, we originally started with another brand. It was so cumbersome that we immediately sent it back for a full refund and purchased the Mug Pro. The Mug Pro is about as easy to use as it gets.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#9]
5 Apr 2006
To: gt350ed [#8] 5 Apr 2006
Another feature of the Novachrome Mug Pro, is the ability to use "Satellite" components, which are kinda pricey, but expand the use of the press to items other than mugs.
Of course, one of the satellite components is another mug press.
I realize I'm not telling you anything new. Just pointing out that info for the rest of our audience. :-)
From: Zonas [#10]
5 Apr 2006
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#4] 5 Apr 2006
Geez, everybody answered for me, but they were correct. ;-) I have the heat gun which is how I know what type of readings I'm getting. I 'cook' my mugs to 360 degrees inside opposite side of the handle centered from top to bottom. Great results every time - just ignore the digital readout.
Zona
From: GBengraver [#11]
5 Apr 2006
To: gt350ed [#8] 5 Apr 2006
Ed,
Have you ever uses mug wraps?
Cactus has a new one out that they claim is a much better way to go than with a press.
Seems to me the downside with them is that they take much longer to "bake" them than to press.
Up side is you can do multiple mugs at once, assuming that your oven can hold them. I'm in a store front so I don't have a full sized oven. I would need a toaster oven type oven.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Greg
EDITED: 5 Apr 2006 by GBENGRAVER
From: gt350ed [#12]
5 Apr 2006
To: GBengraver [#11] 6 Apr 2006
My opinion is that they ARE beneficial for quantities. But, then, you will be limited by the number of wraps you have versus how many you need. And then there are the logistics of having 10 mugs in the oven, all done at the same time, and having to use a wrench (I think) to unbolt each wrap. It's probably easier than I'm imagining.
On the otherhand, you would be surprised at how many mugs you can crank out in an hour alternating between two mug presses.
From: RALLYGUY (RALLYGUY1) [#13]
6 Apr 2006
To: gt350ed [#12] Unread
One finished mug every two mins if you use a 4 min cycle with two presses. B-)
Or one mug pro plus with a satelite...
From: basehorawards [#14]
28 Apr 2006
To: ALL
Do any of you use a glazer too? They want $240 for it.
From: LipChip [#15]
28 Apr 2006
To: basehorawards [#14] 28 Apr 2006
In regards to mug presses I've heard most of the best results come from the Nova Chrome USA press. Call Tim or John at Nova Chrome to find out which of their presses that is.
I myself use "only" mug wraps, and have found it to work with better results.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16]
28 Apr 2006
To: basehorawards [#14] 28 Apr 2006
I haven't used a glazer.
The Hix full-wrap mug press, according to Mick, at Cactus equipment, is the design that all full-wrap presses are based on.
One aspect of a mug press, to look for, is its effective image area.
The heating blanket may look like it provides more coverage than the underlying heating element will support.
From: basehorawards [#17]
28 Apr 2006
To: LipChip [#15] 28 Apr 2006
From: Mick [#18]
28 Apr 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16] 28 Apr 2006
David
The Hix press isn't the design all are based on, Hix just happened to pick up the patent after it had legally expired when Sal Aramini (who got the patent) didn't pay maintainance fees ??? Questionable transaction that has cost Nova Chrome, Cactus and others many $$ and added to the cost of what you pay for a mug press.
It is cheaper to pay royalties than fight a patent.
Mick
From: LipChip [#19]
28 Apr 2006
To: basehorawards [#17] 29 Apr 2006
A "mug wrap" is a product used in the Dye Sublimation and "I think" OEM laser technologies, to heat transfer under pressure that is applied by tighting the "mug wrap" around the mug with the image on a transfer paper lined up inside of the "mug wrap" onto a mug. With the "mug wrap" tightened down, we place the mugs in our convection oven as the source for transferring the images from the transfer papers onto the mugs. You can read all about "mug wraps" from the experts like Mick at Cactus Equipment who frequents this forum, as well as the www.dyesub.org forum.
Mick / Dave - I hope I somewhat explained how the mug wrap works. Mick also has a new mug wrap out which I have not tried yet.
From: LipChip [#20]
28 Apr 2006
To: basehorawards [#17] 29 Apr 2006
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#21]
28 Apr 2006
To: Mick [#18] 29 Apr 2006
Ahh, thank you Mick.
I thought Hix Corp. was the original inventor of the full-wrap concept.
No need to be the inventor, when you can be an opportunist.
EDITED: 28 Apr 2006 by DGL
From: Zonas [#22]
30 Apr 2006
To: GBengraver [#1] 1 May 2006
I have the Nova Chrome Mug Press Pro. Yes, I like having it for those onzie -twozie type orders. Large orders I use mug wraps. Why....time is money ;-) Mug press takes apx. 3 1/2 mins per mug. Wraps I do 8-12 (I only have 12 wraps) at 15 mins. I like both systems - my only complaint is with the digital readout on the mug press. I have to set the readout at 450 degrees to get 400 degree output (yes, I have a temperature gun). The pain is when something else needs a different temperature that I haven't tested and calculated. Yes, Nova Chrome was informed of this problem as soon as I received it. Was told to just keep upping the reading until it's right - No I wasn't please with the response, but it is something I can live with.
Zona
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