Panel Frames..The Good, The Bad, The Ugly??

[XG Print]

Currently thinking of ways to try and improve our product.  We are an all aluminum frame shop but we are 100% statics.  I have been looking at some of the panel frames and wanted to know your opinions on them.  Im not a huge fan of the roller frames and manual printing like we do but the panels seem like maybe they are the way to go for higher consistent tension.  What are the best panel frames and mesh out there to use.  Is Shur Loc the clear cut favorite...Thanks in Advance!

[Doug S]

I'm really happy with the shurlocs.  I've got about 150 frames.  The panels hold there tension really well.  Most of the panels I have stretched are s mesh but I have some 156's that I've had stretched 2  years or more that have been cycled through several jobs that are still in the 30's as far as newtons are concerned.  I started out buying the 1.5 inch thick frames but now I only buy the 1.25 inch and haven't noticed a difference other than they are already put together when you get them and much lighter plus they are about $20 cheaper. 

The only thing ugly is that the panels are pretty high especially when you get to the higher mesh counts so it gives you motivation to treat them gently.

[Shanarchy]

Shur-loc EZ frames. Once you get them, replacing the panels will be about the same price as sending the static frames out to be re-meshed. Except you can do it in house in a couple of minutes. I've only been using them since April (used to be all Newman), but they seem to hold their tension pretty well.

I still think Newman's are better, but if you're not staying on top of them and retensioning them, etc. (like I wasn't), then Shur-Loc EZ frames is the route to go.