Anyone using Insta heat presses?

[Atownsend]

Hey All! I wanted to see if I could get some feedback on a heat press I'm considering picking up. Somehow we have gone 5 years in business and never once used a heat press. We either turn the name / number jobs down or gang screens for small runs & for customers we like. We definitely have demand for it as we have been turning tons of business away.

I don't think we will use it often so this press might be overkill for us, but it looks like a good deal if the press is not junk. I know Geo Knight / Hix / Sthals are the main players for heat presses. I have seen Insta mentioned here and there but I haven't been able to find much in the way of actual user feedback. Is anyone using these presses? The one i'm looking at appears to be an older model (TM2?), but it looks like its built like a tank. Pneumatic operated, analog controls etc. Anything I should look out for? I'd hate to waste $750 and a 3.5 hour drive for this if these are junk. The company looks like they are still in business, but I'm not sure if parts are readily available.

Would I be better served to find a newer Geo Knight or Hix on the used market? I like the idea that this is pneumatic, and I'm definitely not scared of the analog stuff.

[Nation03]

We use to have that exact one. It was awesome until one day it randomly caught fire. Never worked since that day. But for years it was dependable.

[Atownsend]

Wow! Thats scary! Any idea why it caught fire?

[Nation03]

This was a few years ago so I'm not too sure. I remember opening it up and it looked like the wires were frayed which may have caused it.

[Frog]

Can't speak to that particular model, but can tell you that Insta is one of the big boys. They are a fine company that makes fine presses.
Plenty of 20 year old examples still making money for their owners.

[kingscreen]

We have one.  Early 2000s model.  Still works great.
Insta makes tanks.

[Sbrem]

I picked up a more modern one for $500 a few years ago. Works well, but as happens sometimes with used equipment, it need to have the element replaced, I think it was a couple of hundred bucks from Insta. All in all, very good presses.

Steve

[tonypep]

Yes my preference

[Prince Art]

We have an older model, very similar to the one pictured, but with fewer features. It's rusty on the outside, & we have to prop the "raise" handle up with a wood block because a knob is missing. But I got it for free by rescuing it on it's way to another printer's dumpster, and it has worked without fail for about 10 years since then. If we pressed frequently, I'd want more automation. But for occasional use, I've had great ROI!

[ABuffington]

We had 8 Instas in our shop.  As many have said, they are built like tanks.  What we liked most was the uniform temp across the head for foiling as well as a floating head that applied equal pressure.  We sold them for what we bought them for after 2m plus cycles. 

[Atownsend]

Nice!

Thanks for the feedback! The guy has two more if anyone wants them, he will crate / ship freight. Both are 240V. He had a newer model with a digital timer so I picked that one up instead.

https://richmond.craigslist.org/bfs/6123125860.html

Looks like this



Very excited to get my heat press game on. Ordered up some transfer paper and powder, so I'm sure Im going to have lots of new questions for the transfer gurus.