Buying a Thermofax Machine

There is one machine you have to be careful about purchasing among all the old reliable thermofax transparency makers - Model no. 45EGA. After its manufacture it became apparent that is was a fire hazard if left “as is”. Many models were retrofitted with an adaptor, by the various 3M maintenance guys across the country, so some of them work fine. One of my students bought one on line and it began smoking as soon as she began processing her screen. She contacted Welsh Products (a great resource for machines and supplies) and they explained that they couldn't repair it since even after being repaired it was still a known fire hazard. The seller in Texas refused return or refund until contacted by Welsh. They explained the situation, and then the seller agreed to a return.

I met someone who bought a machine on Ebay and the seller sent it with newspaper as packing material. It was smashed to smithereens on the inside by the time it reached her. Be sure to establish that the packing will be thorough allowing no room for shifting en route to you.

Some sellers on Ebay claim that machines made later - the 4500 series - have a wider imaging area. This is false. The bulb on the inside is the same size, but the feed slot is wider to allow for occasional lopsided feeding or larger documents. In the older machines with a narrow slot, papers and film that are fed in askew will sometimes get stuck, causing the carrier or film or paper to burn, and requiring the replacement of the belt.

Don't forget to check local schools, hospitals, and other places that might have old audio/visual closets. You may be able to find one that's more affordable than those on Ebay

from Maggie Weiss