screen printing > DIY - From master engineered marvels to cobbled together jury-rigged or Jerry-built junk!
DIY Squeege sharpener
ScreenPrinter123:
The squeegee sharpener is built using the variable rpm mtor in the Inland GTO which I purchased from http://www.ameriglasco.com/Stained-Glass-Grinders-Diamond-Saws/Inland-Stained-Glass-Grinder.shtml for $82.75.
The motor is easily removed from the Inland GTO and can be mounted to whatever flat surface you would like, we had a scrap piece of counter top that I used.
For grinding bits I have found it easiest to remove irregularities from the squeegee with the 1” 80 grit Grinder Head (TL-322). Then I use a 1” 120 grit Grinder Head (TL-312) to give the squeegee a nice sharp edge. Both bits can be found at http://www.ameriglasco.com/Stained-Glass-Grinders-Diamond-Saws/Inland-Stained-Glass-Grinder-Heads.shtml for $28.95 and $24.95.
I clamp the squeegee to a piece of aluminum angle and used a clamp guide and piece of flat iron as a guide for the squeegee to run along. A little WD-40 and it slides very smoothly, which is vital because running the blade slowly and smoothly is key to getting the best edge on the blade.
It has performed better than I was expecting for a cheap diy option and I am sure will perform even better after some more trial and error with the setting of the motor speed.
Mark @ Hurricane Printing:
only good for auto squeege set ups?
ScreenPrinter123:
You would have to find a way to clamp the squeegee so that it is securely held perpendicular to the grinding bit. M&R style auto squeegee holders can butt into the corner of the aluminum angle which is why I set it up the way I did. I could see how the standard wooden handle manual squeegees would present some difficulty with this kind of sharpener though I am sure one could figure out a way to make it work with some thought and trial and error.
mimosatexas:
You would just have to make a jig of some kind that your handle would fit into so the blade was at a 90 degree angle from the surface you are sliding across. Wouldnt be too hard or time consuming to make. Then you just set the jig with squeegee next to the blade, butt the guide up to the jig, and clamp one side of your guide, remove the jig/squeegee, push the other side of your guide a tiny bit toward the bit and you're ready to go. insert jig and push.
I may make one of these as soon as I finish the second have of my shop expansion and have enough room.
StuJohnston:
I've got one that basically works on the same principle, you might be interested in seeing the adjustable fence, it's pretty simple.
I swear that my american (m&r style) auto squeegees lay flat without a jig as do my plain wooden manual squeegees. I haven't used it yet since it needs a new wheel, but they're only 20 bones so i should get on that..
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