Discuss the different types of equipment needed for screen printing. Topics include manual screen printing presses, automatic presses, dryers, folding machines, starter kits and high end machines.
I'm about to build a custom exposing unit and I am sold on single point light source. Does anyone have any experience with 800W halogen light as the light source. I know its an inefficient use of energy but halides are out of my reach. Image below is a 800W halogen from lowes for 25. if there are any more optimal light sources for around 100 I would be interested in hearing about them, thanks
I have a 500 watt one that i bought from kmart for $10 that does the trick, it looks similar to yours but mines a craftsman. Im trying to figure out a way of building a custom made exposure unit myself as well, and was thinking of running back to kmart and buying another 3 and that will bring it to $40 bucks total and a 2000 watt exposure unit. But will see
When i first started out i used a 500watt light and it worked great I still use it for emergency situations like if one of my light bulbs goes out on the one i use now.
there are many ways to build a custom exposure unit the easiest i would have to say is using a 500watt or 800watt light source light the ones you mentioned or you can build one with black lights and stuff.
a link to a picture of the one with the 500 watt light source
This is a link to a page with instruction on building a light box these instructions work great for an exposure unit all you have to do is change the light bulb to unfiltered black lights and put a clear glass top on it. oh yeah you can also add a cuto off timer which you can find on ebay for real cheap.
thanks for the info, I have thought about making a UV light exposure unit like the one you posted. The only problem is that I have experienced the difference between a single-source halide light unit vs. the multi-bulb uv unit, and single-source is far better. Multiple bulbs make fine line work difficult. I am not a t-shirt printer primarily and I use silk screening on paper and with ceramic glaze materials. Fine line exposure is more important to me than speed.
I have a 500 watt one that i bought from kmart for $10 that does the trick, it looks similar to yours but mines a craftsman. Im trying to figure out a way of building a custom made exposure unit myself as well, and was thinking of running back to kmart and buying another 3 and that will bring it to $40 bucks total and a 2000 watt exposure unit. But will see
IF you use 4 of these, you will no longer have a single point exposure system. Halogen bulbs have very little UV, which is what emulsion uses. Four of these bulbs would get VERY hot, probably cook your emulsion, or worse, start a fire. Also, be very careful about building an enclosed unit. It should probably be vented, halogen emits a lot of heat.
IF you use 4 of these, you will no longer have a single point exposure system. Halogen bulbs have very little UV, which is what emulsion uses. Four of these bulbs would get VERY hot, probably cook your emulsion, or worse, start a fire. Also, be very careful about building an enclosed unit. It should probably be vented, halogen emits a lot of heat.
Just my unprofessional opinion. Good luck.
Thank's, i realized that it wouldn't be a single point anymore if i did just that. Last thing i want to do is burn my house.
Dude just make the 500watt exposure unit trust me its really easy to get used to all you need to do is make sure the light is about 15inches above the screen and give it 15minutes to do its magic.
It takes longer than most exposure unit but it gets the job done for a minimal price.
Dude just make the 500watt exposure unit trust me its really easy to get used to all you need to do is make sure the light is about 15inches above the screen and give it 15minutes to do its magic.
It takes longer than most exposure unit but it gets the job done for a minimal price.
800 watt halogen exposure time? 
