Good News........Bad News

[John Ranes II CPF GCF]

The Good News...........my Seal 500T has been working since September 1978 with the original thermostat.....that's almost 23 years!

The Bad News............. It finally snapped. So for the past couple of weeks, we'd been turning it on....then off...then on...and so on WATCHING THE TEMP, very carefully.

The Good News..........Is that about 10 years ago, Seal offered a conversion kit to upgrade your 500T to a 500TX press. I'd saved the required certificates from boxes of ColorMount, and ordered one for $25.00.

The Bad News............That was 10 years ago........do you think anyone could find it in the shop?

The Good News.......... Cleaning up for the autumn season, we find the Conversion Kit.....I'm going to install it this past weekend.

The Bad News.............Half way through the installation, it becomes quite obvious that this conversion kit will not fit MY machine. It turns out that the instructions explain that this will only upgrade LATER models of the 500T!

OK.........so now I'm in the market for a new press. (Unless someone in Wisconsin, Illinois has a used one for sale?) My question for you all, is which should I seriously consider....Seal's VacuSeal 4468H or the equivalent model from HotPress
HGP360.

Post your thoughts on either machine....pros and cons......If you'd rather send me your comments directly, that's fine also. Thanks very much!

John


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The Frame Workshop of Appleton, Inc.
www.theframeworkshop.com
Appleton, Wisconsin
jerserwi@aol.com
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[This message has been edited by John Ranes II, CPF, GCF (edited September 10, 2001).]

 

[framer]

John,

I'll buy that conversion kit from you. I got a later model 500t that could use it.

The biggest problem with the 43 66 I know is what if you got to mount a large poster over 43 inches. I really want both machines as soon as I get a bigger place.

framer

 

[JRB]

John, if you are considering a new press, look into the one put out by The Print Mount Company. I have been using their product for over 15 years. It is an incredibly trustworthy workhorse of a machine, they heat up in less than half the time as the Seal. The company is small, so if there is a problem you can talk directly to the owner.
I don't have their phone number here at home but if your interested, I have it at work, just send me an e-mail. If I have a chance I will post it when I get to my shop.

Every Seal owner that has seen my press converts to it when their Seal breaks down for good.

John

 

[John Richards]

John:

We sell the 4468 and used to sell Hot Press. Our experience was that the 4468 overall was a better machine. A plus is....it's made in the land of cheese and beer!

See you in Atlanta

John Richards


PS: If I learn of any used machines in Wisconsin I'll send you an e-mail.

 

[RobertM]

We've been using a Hot Press for over three years now and have been very happy with it. I've had good support with the one minor adjustment, and temperature control panel upgrade that they provided.
Although not a necessity, the ability to see what's going on inside the press has saved us a couple of times. I generally watch the work for the first few seconds as it vaccums down just to make sure there are no bent corners etc., and then go about my business.

 

[John Richards]

John:

Seal is extending their Atlanta special on the 4468H through next week. You get a package worth $822.00. It includes a Supply Rebate book, Supply package, ProCut 40"x60" Cutting Mat and a $100.00 factory direct rebate. If you need the exact details, e-mail your fax number and I can fax over a sheet. Other Seal presses have specials as well.

John

PS: This deal is available for everyone even though the show was cancelled.

 

[John Ranes II CPF GCF]

OK.....We're happy now! We took possesion of our new VacuSeal 4468H delivered yesterday afternoon.

Didn't realize that we required a 220v phaseI electrical connection......duhhhhh. I guess it's a good thing to have a close relationship with your local electrician. Called them at 5pm yesterday, and they were in at 7:30am this morning! We were up and running this afternoon......

Is the staff ever happy! The machine really does perform well.

A few details to share........<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>

Thanks Ron Eggers for helping out with some mounting projects during the interim!

<LI>

Thanks to all who shared their experiences with Hot Press & Seal products.......I received a few direct E-mails as well. Both machines are well respected and liked by every respondent......I sort of knew this going in. I would still recommend either to any framer. We liked the smaller outside dimensions of the Hot Press, but because this unit sits in our retail gallery area, we opted for the more subtle color of the VacuSeal.

<LI>

Thanks Sue Doyon from Hot Press for personally calling to follow-up on my posting. This attention to detail and follow-up is appreciated.

<LI>

Yes, Framer, I'll send you the Electronic Thermostat, if I can't utilize it. I need to see if Seal can replace my existing old thermostat first......... otherwise, my press will not have a second life as a saleable "Used piece of equipment" or as a "Back Up".
[/list]

Thanks,

John

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The Frame Workshop of Appleton, Inc.
www.theframeworkshop.com
Appleton, Wisconsin
jerserwi@aol.com
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[This message has been edited by John Ranes II, CPF, GCF (edited September 26, 2001).]