posted
anybody tried out the new EZ ROLL tape applicator? I work alone most of the time and its hard to get the transfer tape on without wrinkles or bubbles. Is it worth $159.00? thanks.
-------------------- Norris Sign Works 102 Doogle Lane Shallotte, N.C. 28470 Posts: 117 | From: Shallotte, N.C. USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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posted
Do a search here, for app tape, or app tape applyers, or application tape.
I remember years ago there was a thread, including a push along 'machine' that Mark Matyjakowski designed. In it also was mention of Gail Beattie's variation, which we use: take a vinyl cardboard core, and roll it backwards to 'steamroller' the app tape down, and squeegee it as you go. You get better with priacise.
I made a roll holder a long time ago, based on a design in Signcraft, which was 2 packing-tape dispensers with the handles removed, and screwed to a plywood base, which you clamped to the table. That worked OK- probably not as good as the professional system though.
But the cardboard roll centre has always worked fine for us.
Your original question of 'is it worth $159?' is one you could ask yourself- what is the anguish & mess it's going to save worth to you, and what other options do you have?
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
I have a homemade one too, but I wish I had a Sheeter. They are extremely expensive, but it makes application tape a breeze for one person. I used one at the my last job and loved it. Some people hate them, but I'm not sure why.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
I had an EZ roll tape applicator or one that looked just like it. I tossed it. Put a full 24 inch roll of app tape on it and it's very heavy. I found it very difficult to push it straight and got just as many wrinkles as I did by hand.
If you don't want to spend much money use the empty tube steam roller method. If you can spend the money I don't think a Weber Made tool can be beat. I wouldn't be without one. http://www.webermade.com/index.html
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
the push along one I made sucked compared to the roll holder type (2x4's and broomsticks) Last week I was masking 10"x300" stripes on a 8' table, the week before 40"x 200" graphics (on a bigger table) ... a little trickier but doable (attach masking to steel ruler first to get even pull off 48" roll)
-------------------- Compulsive, Neurotic, Anti-social and Paranoid ... but basically Happy Posts: 2677 | From: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Since I was first introduced to the "steamroller" method of applying pre-mask to cut vinyl, I never tried any other way!!!
(And yes Ian..it was an Australian gal who demonstrated it!!!)
I used one "almost" finished masking tape roll for over 10 years, it had just the correct firmness and just the right softness..
One caveat....beware of sharp points and tiny letters that can be picked up using this method...
Sometimes doing things the cheap and easy way can bite you in the butt too!!!!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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Shown is a graphic of the steamroller method. Someone at FastSigns showed me how to do it a few years ago and I use it often.
You push and roll the cardboard tube up against the roll of transfer tape and it rolls the transfer tape off cleanly on your vinyl. The hardest part is getting the first few inches of transfer down flawlessly before using the steamroller.
[ June 15, 2009, 04:12 PM: Message edited by: David Harding ]
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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I'm a former "fast" sign manager and use the "steam roller" method a lot.
At that time, I also became a big fan of the Webermade that Dave Sherby links to too. If you have the tables, you could run a 32' length of tape out (that's how long our tables were) and apply it in minutes, without issues. I was never a fan of the big metal squeegee that came with it though.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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