Hobby Lite 12" x 12" Heat press Swing Away

[101LEDs 100]

Pro's/ cons? It is used, what are wear items to check? Value? Problems? Wasn't even thinking of one right now but seller is motivated.

[Wildgoose 4,200]

Is it a HIX hobby lite? If so Hix is one of the top brands for durability. 12"x 12" is a bit smallish but would work for a lit of things and might even be more hand once in a while.  If you have an infrared thermometer you might take it and check the platen for cold spots. 

 

Just did a search for the HIX and they are just showing a 9" x 12" 

 

http://www.hixcorp.com/hobbylite

[101LEDs 100]

Yes, 9x12 is what I found also. Wasn't sure if it was an older model or not. I will get all the info when he gets back in touch. If I check it out, I will be sure to get temp. readings from various spots. Thanks

[Wildgoose 4,200]

I only have a couple 15" presses and an old "Hot One" (Stahls hotronix) hat press. One is a swing-out that I bought when I started up and the other is a Hix clam that i traded some work for (keeping around as a back up). I would someday like to get a bigger unit for those occasional larger jobs. The only drawback that I can see of a small press (other than the obvious limit in design size) would be getting the shirt lined up square. If it's actually 12"x 12" then there will be enough there to work with I would think. The 9"x 12" would definitely require a level of practice to come up with a good system. I often use a center crease to stay square and you can do that on about any size machine. Getting the height down from collar might be a little more challenging if you can't lay the whole garment up on there.  When I do short sleeve shirt sleeves I often use the hat press and I line up the crease as well as use the hem to get the location.

 

Some day I may buy a Fushion. Only thing it doesn't currently do that I want is auto open. IF it could auto release and open up and then the drawer pop out like a cash register it's be absolutely perfect. I don't really like the clam style presses or I would be opting for the auto open variant that is out there.  If someone made a clam that opened to close to 90deg that might be an option but I think the mechanics of it are prohibitive. My old hat press does more than 90deg and is clear out of the way so I know it could be done.