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I just received a Lawson Panel Frame and I'll have to say that I'm totally impressed! Assembling the mesh to the frame took about 2-3 minutes. I checked tension at 30n. Although it's advertised that you can remove the mesh with the burned image and re-insert on a later date and use it, I will primarily be reclaiming it over and over again checking tension along the way. I degreased, burned and will set a job up this evening to try it out. If all goes well I may replace all my screens. Anyone have any input or advice on these frames? Thanks in advance!
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we use all roller frames and retention as we go..would not burn a stencil and take it out and then put it back in...you will never get your registration right and will have deformed lettering as well and a failed stencil when you restretch. I use to stretch and glue all my frames to metal or wood frames and cannot imagine using anything else but the re-tension-able frames. i have a lawson auto mated press and a Hartco( antique..can't find parts any more)..we use a direct emulsion and apply with a trough. you will switch over.
-------------------- "We have been making house calls since 1992"
Chris Lovelady Vital Signs
NOW WITH 2 LOCATIONS! Tallahassee, Florida Thomasville, Ga.
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Our average frame size is 42" x 55", yea, we're not a -shirt shop. We used to get retensionable frames from Hix and another company in Texas that went under. I did pick up a stack of square tube aluminum frames and a large mesh stretcher but it is a pain to use and does wast quite a bit of material.
How large are these Lawson frames available?
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1357 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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I think for t-shirts its fine. I would be concerned about using it for long print runs as I suspect that it will lose tension as the material relaxes on its own. But for short run and day to day use, I think it should do well.
My shop is more like Chris'. He's dead on about loading and reloading a burned screen.
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Cris, Where would I find the roller frames.. I need larger screens 54" for Glass work. I have been making mine from Oak and they work But a real pain to stretch and keep even tension. Most of time these are a One time/one pull use.
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I never had any intentions of re-applying a burned mesh onto the frame for reasons mentioned. I have roller frames in my shop. I find they are too time consuming and my failure rate is unacceptable espescially on higher mesh counts. I also have a screen stretcher. The situation is the same as roller frames plus the additional toxic glue thats associated. All mesh will relax regardless of frame type. Roller frames have the advantage of re-tensioning...if you don't rip it. Buying aluminum frames with mesh stretched or re-meshing them is frustrating for me. I find the glue doesn't adhere to the metal as well as wood. Even when prepping and using the recommended glue.
Our shop mostly prints dark shirts. Simulated process using our Anatol automatic press. I do realize that a tight screen is always best. But to be honest, I had excellent work done on used wood frame screens with a tension at about 16n. I know that goes against everything we were taught but in all honesty...when it's crunch time and the job has gotta get out, lower tensioned screens have worked perfectly in our shop. The proof is in the print.
The initial cost of these Panel Frames will be a bit to swallow but...it's still MUCH cheaper than roller frames and just a little bit more than pre-stretched wood or aluminum frames. Replacing mesh is at about $11 bucks per screen and about 2-3 minutes of labor with no toxic glue and activator. Yesterday I applied the mesh to the frame then prepped it. I had about 30n. I coated, burned and printed about 75 shirts single color. I then reclaimed it and checked tension as it was at 25n. I look forward to futher testing with hopes that this will be my screen solution. So far I am very impressed! Thanks for your replies!
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I've been using roller frames with Shurloc mesh panels. It would be interesting to see how well they do with process and simulated process prints on 500+ piece order.
I lost more than a dozen screen last year to popping. At $25 per mesh, this might be a good alternative.
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william, i use the Newman roller frames and have had great results.you can get them in those larger frame sizes. http://www.stretchdevices.com/ this is just one place you can get them i think i ordered mine from nazdar or tubelight.
i have a meter to measure the newtons(tension strength)i have learned allot from stretching with these frames and love them.when material gets loose and it will relax...you just tighten them up and you back in business. the square frame could never do that! i have a screen that i have printed several thousand images with the same stencil and screen and still running great.i use a 240 yellow mesh. the key to not ripping is to make sure that the fabric is pulling on the round part of the frame not the edge were you attach so when you stretch the area that is holding the fabric ends up on the side of the screen..i know this is hard to explain but after you stretch it you need to tape the edge that touches( it is w white fabic tape looks kind og like duct tape but stands up to the solvents) the table to protect the fabric never leave it exposed. i can stretch a screen in about 10 minutes..not so bad i think...let is relax and stretch it again, then you are ready for you stencil.no mes no fuss..hate the glue..i have some square aluminum frames if any one wants to buy them!!..lol
-------------------- "We have been making house calls since 1992"
Chris Lovelady Vital Signs
NOW WITH 2 LOCATIONS! Tallahassee, Florida Thomasville, Ga.
posted
Well after a several print runs using the panel frames I am totaly convinced this is the way to go. I ended up buying 30 frames with various mesh sizes. I applied all mesh to the frames in about an hour. Though I havent broke the 500 shirt threshold in a single print run as Glenn was interested in but, I did print 450 shirts with perfect registration from begining to end yesterday. I will add that the first frame I received was a 20" x 24" with 110 mesh for my manual press. I achieved about 30n initially and 25n after. My print yesterday was on 23" x 31" frames with 305 mesh screens installed. Initially I got 18n. I haven't checked the tension afterwards as they are in the reclaiming stage now. But hey....I've been used to lower tensioned screens! I talked with the developer and he is sending me new mesh inserts to try. He claims that it is superior mesh with the ability to get higher tension. We'll see. So far, I'm happy!
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