Dry Mount Press, worth it?

A local business owner offered me a dry mount press for $200 OBO. Goes up to 16" x 20." He said he's had it in storage for 15 years and that it's only been used one time. This person seems trustworthy though I have never met him.

I'm not up on my dry mounting equipment. What would a fair price for such equipment be? He's asking $200 OBO for it. Could be useful for cutting costs on matting and framing my own prints, though I really don't know how to do it. I could always learn...

Any thoughts?

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SteveNC wrote in post #7945107
A local business owner offered me a dry mount press for $200 OBO. Goes up to 16" x 20." He said he's had it in storage for 15 years and that it's only been used one time. This person seems trustworthy though I have never met him.

I'm not up on my dry mounting equipment. What would a fair price for such equipment be? He's asking $200 OBO for it. Could be useful for cutting costs on matting and framing my own prints, though I really don't know how to do it. I could always learn...

Any thoughts?

i dunno. dry mounting doesn't cost that much....maybe $20 for a 16" 20" print (20" x 24" actual)?

ed rader

I would ask him to do a few tests with it
Go to any craft store buy some board and drymount tissue-
use a photo that is not sacred and mount a few up

what to watch out for or typically goes wrong?
temp gauge does not work- avoid the thing
temp gauge is off - no problem just do a slight adjustment
check the hinge mechanism - they are famous for failing- will impact the pressure on the paper and to some extent the temps

is his price fair? yes it is if you do a lot of drymounting
I have one that is at least 30 years old- works great

hope that help a little

Jim

Its hard to believe that a person would buy and setup a drymount machine and only use it once, but I guess stranger things have happened. I've had a drymount machine for over 20 year. It has saved me a fortune in mounting prints compared to having it done.
Its a larger machine than the one your looking at and it cost me $1,800.00 new. You should look this machine over good. Take your hand and rub it over the top of the inside of the machine to insure its smooth. If not it might only need a cleaning, but if its only been used once it should be very smooth. If its not smooth it will cause indentions in your photo. Plug it in set the tempature and make sure it heats up to the setting.
If these things check out ok go for it the price seems good! Also does it have its mat that fits on the inside of the bottom of the machine.

Good luck

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I emailed the person with the questions advised and will report back.

Does the temperature gauge function correctly?
Is the hinge mechanism working correctly (applies even pressure on the paper)?
Are the surfaces smooth?
does it have the mat that fits on the inside of the bottom of the machine?

So I ended up purchasing the press. I think it's a pretty good deal at $200 considering the same model today goes for $1351 shipped from B&H: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ry_Mounting.htm​l#features

I really appreciate the help with this purchase. I'll post some photos once I get it. Does anyone know of good resources for teaching oneself about mounting?