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Improvements and optimizations to a Transfer Press (Heat Press)

I recently bought this transfer press (heat press). It comes from Vevor and these are the technical specifications: 38 x 38 cm pressing surface, 1500 W, max. 250 degrees Celsius. I knew about its weaknesses before I bought it, but the price was reasonable at € 170 and the technical specifications were as expected. Despite the weaknesses, I bought it and wanted to fix the probelems by making a few optimizations.

This is what the hot press looks like in its original condition. The pressing area of 38 x 38 cm is ideal for printing T-shirts. Personally, I wouldn't buy a press with a smaller surface area.

In my opinion, the heat press has the following points that need to be improved:
The distance between the press table and the column is far too small (see picture). When printing T-shirts, I have to squeeze the collar of the T-shirt through here. The second point concerns the base (pressed part made of sheet steel), which is far too weak and bends badly when pressed. The third point is the support plate, where you can't get the full pressure at the edges (it bends easily). When swiveling the heating plate, the heat press tends to tip over due to the too small and light base.

I get the additional distance to the column by mounting a 20 mm thick aluminum plate in between.

Now I have enough distance to work with.

At the top of the vertical column I found this type of needle bearing. I didn't know them before, but they are an elegant solution to absorb the axial forces and you can swivel the heating plate to the side with little force.

I completely replaced the base plate including the vertical column with a solid 60 x 30 mm U-profile.

I also fitted an additional steel U-profile frame under the support plate for reinforcement.

I also need the 4 feet for the attachment.

Here you can see the comparison between the original transfer press at the bottom and my more stable construction at the top.

Since I increase the weight quite a bit with my steel ;-) , I need 2 additional handles for transportation, which I shape with the induction heater.

My new parts for the hot press are painted and ready for assembly.

The base and reinforcement for the support plate are screwed together.

My newly turned column is also in place. It is now made of steel and no longer aluminum.

I have glued a felt covering to the feet for protection.

While I'm at it, the cast aluminum arm is embellished a bit by sanding and exposing the protruding contours with the Dremel.

This is what my modified transfer press looks like now.

Due to the higher weight and the longer legs on the base, I can now turn the heating plate 180 degrees without the heat press tipping backwards.

There is also no more tendency to tip over if you turn the heating plate 90 degrees to the left or right.

The T-shirt now has enough space between the base plate and the column.

And in this picture you can see that all the springs are now pressed and not just half of them as before.

The conversion of my heat press was a success and I was able to remedy all my points of criticism. Of course, the press has become much heavier, but it is also super stable and no longer tilts.