Ademco Hot Press and Hello

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Patwilt

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Nov 10, 2004
Posts
1
Loc
UK
Hi folks
I have returned to framing after a gap from the professional world of 20years. I was very young when I started my first business here in the UK. Anyway thought I would say hello to you all and use this opportunity to ask a question or two or more. Does anyone know anything about Ademco hot Presses? Are they any good? Is there a manufactorers web site or a place to get information on them. I have recently seen one for sale second hand, at what appears to be a resonable price but what to know just a little about these presses before commiting to it.

Thanks for reading this

Patrick
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Welcome, Patrick. Notice any changes after 20 years?

Don't interpret the lack of response here as lack of interest (or manners.) My guess is that none of us know anything about Ademco hot presses.

I might be selling my 40x60 Vacuseal press, but you'd have to come and get it. With the stand and pump, it's about 300 pounds.

(That's the weight, not the price.)

Good luck to you as you restart.
 
Patrick,
Welcome to the Grumble! Sorry, but I've never heard of this kind of press...but good luck in your new/old framing career! Maybe some of our European Grumblers will chime in soon.

Leslie
Waxahachie, Texas
 
Yo, Patrick,

Welcome … yada, yada, yada.

About 30 years ago, when I was doing a lot of darkroom work (before I opened my shop), my wife bought an Ademco as a present. Neither she nor I knew anything about dry mount presses.

Compared to the Seal 500T, the Ademco model I had was small (~ 16 x 20 platen). I lent it to a friend and never got it back (we don’t talk anymore), but if I remember it correctly, the pressure adjustments were not only difficult to make but difficult to reproduce.

Otherwise, I remember that it seemed to work fine, but, again, I didn’t really know what I was doing at that time ( … or, maybe, not now either).

If the company is still in business and the price is okay, then I would say go for it. However, thermostats and the like, while not exactly disposable, will eventually need to be replaced. If the Ademco folks are no more, then replacement parts will be virtually nonexistent.
 
I did some checking.

I didn't find a company website and I have to wonder if the company still exists. What kind of company wouldn't have a website?
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There are a few of these on eBay and someone talked about getting parts from Seal in Europe.

Around here, Ademco mostly means security systems.

Bill, I think we're gonna make you the official Grumble greeter.
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I’m almost certain that Ademco was the brand name used for Seal in the UK….what is Seal called now!!!...

Patrick

Chances are that if it is still working after all these years it will go on working for many many more years..............check that the thermostat is still ok ( you can replace it if it is gone) and that the elements are heating the whole plate (I’m not sure if you can replace the elements in that machine…

BTW there is a framers BB on this side of the pond you should drop in and say hello… http://estlite.scenes.biz/phpBB2/index.php?sid=238407f39dcdbbcd2a25a359ed70fd29

PS
I think the press that Drytac www.drytac.com sell was the Ademco……they have an operation in Norfolk
 
Ademco which stood for Adhesive Dry Mounting Company was purchased about 12 years ago by SEAL USA. Shortly after they discontinue what was known as the ADEMCO hard bed press and appear to have dropped the ADEMCO brand name. This is the drymount press that has a large 20” diameter wheel on the top like a bus driver’s wheel. This is probably one of the first types of mechanical presses designed pre WW II. The machine probably weighs about 250 lbs and requires four people to safely carry it. Photographers loved them especially for doing photo transfers to canvas as they could crank the pressure up to get a great canvas texture to the photos.

You can still purchase this style of press from DRYTAC. You should still be able to find switches and temperature controllers if you search through catalogues of analog rather than digital devices. The last Ademco model was probably the 22-26 which meant it was 22” x 26” I have in my hand a faxed copy sent to me 11 years ago from SEAL shortly after they purchased ADEMCO of an exploded view of the Model 22-26 along with the electrical drawing. If you or any one else needs these pages I could scan and send it to you as a PDF file.

You either love this press or hate it. If you have not used it before you have to be very careful not to over press the print being mounted when you are mounting the print in sections when the print is larger than the platen size. Many a new employee has cranked the platen down too much and put an indentation line by mistake. The problem is you have to turn the wheel down by feel. The SEAL 160 through 500 Series of Mechanical presses overcame this problem with a mechanical advantage hinge mechanism that gave you the same downward pressure each time you closed the press.

These machines last sold new in our market for about $4000 CAN$ $3000 UD$ and the last ADEMCO I sold used was for $800 CAN$ about three years ago. I suspect there are a lot more in use in England than North America. Your local DRYTAC distributor can give you the current price on the DRYTAC Model 2525.

These presses are never going to wear out so if what you have found is at a reasonable price it will continue too work for many years to come. The only original replacement item you may find impossible to source is the heat element and from my drawing there were two elements in the ADEMCO. I would think a good electrician could easily hook up the DRYTAC element should yours fail. Drytac still makes the same press 25” x 25” that you can see at

DRYTAC MODEL 2525 Press

Alan
 
Hi Alan,
Would you be able to share the PDF you mentioned above (electrical diagram). I have a Ademco 2125 in need of some repair and have zero info.

Thank you,
Daryl
 
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