Roller Frame Questions

[sqslabs]

So I got a great deal on some used M3's and stretched up the first batch yesterday for production today.  I'm definitely loving life now that they are in play, but after coating, burning and prepping for press, I ended up with a few questions.  Any help would be appreciated.

1. I have some Polyken tape that I will be using to protect the mesh/corners.  Can I still re-tension the mesh after this is in place or should I work harden it first, restretch, and then apply the tape?

2. After coating the first two screens I ended up with about a half scoop coater's worth of emulsion on my screen room floor.  Am I corner softening too much or should there be a lot of space left between the emulsion and the frame?

3. After stretching and truing the screens some of them are still a hair off when I place them on my burn unit glass.  Will this teeny-tiny bit of play be an issue?  I can't seem to find a surface flat enough in my shop to get them perfect.

4. Are most people using blockout with their rollers?  Or taping them like a static?

I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions as the day goes on, but these would definitely be a great help.

[Denis Kolar]

1. Yes, you can re-tension with the tape on. You do not have to cover the edges completely, leave the top and bottom open.
2. I prefer using Shur-Loc panels, they have corners presoftened
3. Yes, if not perfectly flat, make sure you have a spare glass handy for your exposure unit
4. I tape mine same as static

[jsheridan]

You may be over softening the corners, they only need enough slack to take up from the initial rolling.

As far as making them perfectly flat,  put the big wrench on the short or long bar corner that is high, and pull in slightly, then re-check for flatness.

How you tighten the bolts will have some effect on flatness, so when you are done tensioning the frame, snug all the bolts first, then go back around and torque them.

[tpitman]

One thing that I'd read somewhere and seems to help with flattening is to snug all bolts down finger-tight, then torque the bolts that require the ratchet to push the frame downward, and lastly the bolts that tend to lift the frame up.

[sqslabs]

Thanks for the input guys, its greatly appreciated.   

[shurloc]

I would love to send you some free sample panels - email ron@shurloc.com - and we will get you all hooked up.

[sqslabs]

I would love to send you some free sample panels - email ron@shurloc.com - and we will get you all hooked up.

Wow, thanks!  Will send over an email now.. 

[shurloc]

This deal is for anyone else that would like to try them out as well... Shoot me over an email and we will get you hooked up with a sample panel or two! - Ron@shurloc.com