Rather than shelling out the cash for a 1 color 1 station press I decided to build one myself using a piece of plywood and specialty hinges. Unfortunately when my screens came they were both aluminum. Could I drill a small hole in the side for a drop stick? Or could that damage my screen?
Rather than shelling out the cash for a 1 color 1 station press I decided to build one myself using a piece of plywood and specialty hinges. Unfortunately when my screens came they were both aluminum. Could I drill a small hole in the side for a drop stick? Or could that damage my screen?
Thanks in advance...
Drill it, but it's most likely a hollow tube. You should get jiffy clamps.
Drill it, but it's most likely a hollow tube. You should get jiffy clamps.
Actually thats what I have. I got a couple of screens (one 110 and one 83 mesh), a Triangle ink starter kit, went to home depot and got a little heat gun for curing, I also got myself a 500 watt halogen and am going to go get some PVC pipe to build myself an exposure unit in the morning. Hopefully I can put together something suitable without having to spend a fortune.
Your not going to do too much damage to the screen by drilling holes in there. I do this on most of my screens, as I have a pin registration system and I attach custom made "ears" to the screen for easy registration.
I use a small U piece of aluminium thread milled a hole and fitted a cistern ballcok on the back side of the screen. The whole contraptioin is held on the screen with a double edged tape. Works quite well.
I use a small U piece of aluminium thread milled a hole and fitted a cistern ballcok on the back side of the screen. The whole contraptioin is held on the screen with a double edged tape. Works quite well.
Sounds interesting, but I'm not really grasping how to put this together. Could you upload a picture of it so I can see how to do it? Thanks...
Actually I'm trying to do this on a budget. I don't really want to waste my money on a press quite yet. I was researching what kinds of startup kits I could get with the what I can afford to spend right now and I figured the single station single color unit could be made at home. And while I work on my designs and technique I can save up for a quality press. According to some of the posts on here, buying used quality equipment trumps some of the cheaper stuff on the market with limited registration...
After rereading my post I can understand your point.
Another easier system which I will be using is.
Find yourself a small thin strip of aluminum about 12 inches long.
Tape the bottom part to the back of your jiffy hinge, at the top of the hinge slightly bend it a bit backwards.
At the top part of the strip, tape something to act as a counter weight.
The top of the hinge will act as a fulcrum just like a childrens seasaw.
Hope this helps.
Can I use a drop stick on an aluminum frame? 
