Ready to use press for the first time, Questions???
Ok, I finally got my flash and my exposure table. I picked up a used Harco/Dakota press in April.
Now for my questions, when I picked up my used press, it was in a couple of pieces. I just got it put together here last week. (I've never used a screen press machine) I believe I'm missing the striker plate. The plate where the plunger pops through a hole to stop the bottom section from spinning.
Ok, first question, I have a couple of thinner angle iron that I can cut and have welded together and have drilled out to replace the striker plate. Is this the only thing that keeps the bottom half of the unit from spinning?
Second question, When I have my screen on there and go to set it down what is supposed to keep the top half from moving? I want to make sure I have all the parts as it was in pieces when I picked it up.
I can post pictures if need be. I'm ready to start coating my screens, burn my screens and start printing. But this is greek to me. I did some glass screen printing out of high school but not textile.
Brown doesn't have the bracket that stops the bottom half from spinning so I'm going to have to improvise there.
Anybody that has any experience with this model or harco I could use your help. I'm sure I'm asking something really basic, I almost feel stupid but I want to know what I need to so I can just practice and go.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and thank you a ton if you can offer any help.
God bless.
Bryan
__________________
Starting from humble beginnings.Witness The Majk
Re: Ready to use press for the first time, Questions???
Sorry about that, I posted this last night and I should have put pictures in the thread.
Ok here is the plunger that went into the hole in the bracket. You can see the two holes in the frame above it where the bracket was bolted on.
I assume this plunger keeps the bottom from spinning and locks it in place.
Here is another view of it.
Here is a top picture. I put the silver metal collar on the post in the center. I tightened the collar down, I guessed on this part.
I guess I need to know how it is supposed to function. The platen and bottom half of the press spin independently of the top screen portion.
I assume the plunger holds the bottom platen sections.
Not sure what stops the top or the screen section from spinning. I see there is a small metal post you'll see in the last picture. It's right in front of the platen bracket. The screen arm comes down in contact with it.
Thank you for all your help. If I had the money I'd pay you all for the help you've given us.
God Bless.
Bryan
__________________
Starting from humble beginnings.Witness The Majk
Re: Ready to use press for the first time, Questions???
your screen carousel and pallet carousel should rotate independently of each other.
on some presses, there is a guide that gently stops the pallet carousel at 90 degree intervals just to give the printer an easier time. this isn't on all presses neither is it necessary.
when you bring your screen down onto the shirt, there should be a registration gate that connects the two arms. on my press, there are two round steel pieces attached to the pallet arm close to the press that fit a rectangular piece of steel from the bottom of the screen arm.
once they are locked together, you can still rotate the screen or the pallet, but they rotate together.
Ready to use press for the first time, Questions??? 
