I would like some tips on what type of table to use and screws to use for a table top press. I recently got a 4 color 1 station table top press but a unsure what type of table to use. Any tips would be appreciated, thanks!
ROSP
Almost any thing will work as long as its a comfortable working height and heavy enough not to slide around while you are printing, I used a couple kitchen base cabinets with a 3/4 plywood top for mine, the storage underneath was a plus.
hrbor freight $25 tool stand, lowes or Home depot for birch precut wood $10..assorted nuts bolts to attach also add 21x23 in wood piece for lower shelf for more stability...less than $50 bucks total and its mobile.
I bought two $15 book cabinets in boxes at Walmart. Once I assembled the cabinets, I bracketed them together back to back and installed my tabletop press on top. They have lots of storage room and two adjustable shelves on each side. I put the backs on the cabinets so they are divided, but you could leave the backs off so you have more storage from one side through the other. The thin MDF backing is what solidifies the cabinets, so if you leave them off you would have to brace the inside corners across the cabinets with 1" x "1 and drive screws through them vertically and horizontally.
I'm in the middle of moving, so the press is packed up.
I'm in the middle of moving, so the press is packed up.
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I like stuff that is heavy keeps things from bouncing or leaning. Notice that the center of gravity is right over the edge of the table when pressure is applied on the platen during printing. I suggest weighing it down with cinder blocks or sand bags. Also I found that waist height for the table gives me a good finished height on the platen.
But this is all preference. Do what feels good when you pull a squeegee on the platen.
But this is all preference. Do what feels good when you pull a squeegee on the platen.
The cabinets in my setup are heavy enough, it doesn't move at all. There is also more weight in it when you load the shelves with ink tubs and supplies. I could sit on the platen and the mounting screws would pull out of the particle board before the cabinets would tip. I mounted it closer to one end for platen clearance. If it tipped or moved at all I wouldn't put up with it or suggest that someone else do the same thing. Also, the platen is waist high, not too low or in my face.....works for me.
One thing I did notice though is that the shelves tend to bow after a while. I've been flipping them over now and then to straighten them back out. I think if I screw some 1" x 1" underneath the longest edges it would fix that permanently and the shelves would still be adjustable.
There's always room for improvement and an easy fix, right ?
One thing I did notice though is that the shelves tend to bow after a while. I've been flipping them over now and then to straighten them back out. I think if I screw some 1" x 1" underneath the longest edges it would fix that permanently and the shelves would still be adjustable.
There's always room for improvement and an easy fix, right ?
Yes, it is just storage for extra screens unless your press is in a UV protected environment. If it is, you could rig a fan in the cabinet to dry screens faster.
Wow, you guys make mine look like junk. Lol. When I took it with me to print live I took three of the heads off and the loss of weight made it unstable, but all heads on, it doesn't budge.
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Sent from my LTEvo.
Sent from my LTEvo.
MimosaTexas, What are the dimensions of your press table. I really like it! Also, how tall are you? I'm 5'2" and I want to be sure I don't build something too tall for me to work comfortably. Thanks!
Here is a photo of the press stand I built. It has a nice "dark locker" in it to hold a few unexposed screens. The casters came from Harbor Tools (item #61855), they had better selection, quality and pricing than Home Depot. Just remember to buy hefty lag bolts at Home Depot to attach them.
Dimensions: 39 x 36 x 24.5" + 4" casters. Seems to get the press to a comfortable working height for 5'2" screen printer, although I haven't used it yet. (waiting on spacers for the press assembly)
Dimensions: 39 x 36 x 24.5" + 4" casters. Seems to get the press to a comfortable working height for 5'2" screen printer, although I haven't used it yet. (waiting on spacers for the press assembly)
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