screen printing > Newbie
Properly setting up Antec Lengend
Gilligan:
As many of you guys probably know I just bought a used Antec Legend 6/4.
I'm gearing up to start using it and I'm curious as to proper ways to set it up.
Platens seem to have "adjustability" before you tighten them. You can skew them or push them a little left or right. This seems to be typical/nature of the beast. Is there a "sure fire" way to make sure all your platens are setup properly?
Also what about off contact? These are rear clamps and of course the frame deflects causing it to lose off contact by the end of the screen when pressure is applied, but of course sits fine without pressure. Again, is this nature of the beast and should I just roll with it or should I put something on the frame (like a nickel) as I was previously? This is one more reason side clamps seem better.
Speaking of Side Clamps. Antec of course "frowns upon" side clamps on their presses. What is everyone else's opinions on this? I could easily have some side clamps made for just the cost of material so it seems like a good idea but I know nothing about this stuff.
Hey, at least I'm allowing you guys to fill your forum with lots of content. :)
screenxpress:
I can only address part of your post based on my Workhorse, which has a back clamp and as you noticed, deflection when you apply pressure pulling the squeegee.
My solution for off contact has always been to cut up a couple of (free) yardsticks in about 12 inch lengths. Then I simply tape one under each screen running left to right as far near the top as I can but so it will still hit the edge of the platen. As long as the back offset is about 1/8 inch, the cut piece of yardstick will maintain the rest at 1/8 allowing, in my mind, a nice even off contact. Pretty much similar to your nickels, but less trouble, IMO.
If the back dips below acceptable off contact, you can run one left to right near the back clamp so it still hits the back of the platen as well.
Printhouse:
The antec legend does not have an adjustable off contact and screen pitch set up?
Shawn (EIP):
Sounds like the way my RJennings is set up. Take a level and first make sure the base and center hub is level and then level the platen arms , next draw a center line on all of your platens , next take a screen and clamp it into one of the print heads. Bring the screen down and sharpie a line on the front of the screen frame matching your center line on the first platen. Bring your screen down to each of the platens and adjust and tighten the platen arms to match the center line of the screen and the center line of your platen. When your finished your press should be lined up and level pretty well. RJennings is against side clamps as well, I forget his reasoning but I think it has something to do with the more bolted parts the more likely something will move out of registration over time not to mention making your print head heavier thus more strain on your springs and more work for your arms.
Also make sure not to overtighten your clamps or else you will increase the pitch of your screen.
Paint stick idea is great, it's what I use as well. Cutting out strips from a t-shirt box will work as well.
Gilligan:
Thanks for all the advice... keep it coming, I'm learning lots!
My heads do have an off contact adjustment... bolt underneath the head right in front of where it slides into the bearing gate. There is also a pitch as I understand it. Should I be adjusting the pitch to compensate for flex in the frame? That seems strange but if that's the way to go then I'll roll with it.
Here is a pic of one of my heads:
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