Manual Squeegee Recommendations

[Prosperi-Tees]

After 6 years I think it is time to upgrade our wooden squeegees. What are y'all using?

[mimosatexas]

I have 3 styles of metal and 3 styles of wooded ones.  For metal, the ergo force ones with triple duro are absolutely awesome for push or pull, plastisol or waterbased.  The only thing I do not like about them is ink will get under the metal and can cause issues (slight streaking during the next print run) if not COMPLETELY cleaned.  I found it useful to just have dedicated squeegees for white, black, red, etc instead of trying to fully clean them.  For wood, I prefer the style that they sell at River City Graphics, but I do not know the brand etc.  They have bolts instead of staples or glue so you can change the blades, and they are varnished or sealed in some way which makes cleaning them very easy.  The tops are rounded in a way that is very comfortable compared to some other brands (too thin or too thick at the top).

I hate these:
http://www.springscreenmesh.com/photo/pl370495-aluminum_handle_screen_printing_squeegees.jpg
http://www.stencilsunlimited.com/images/squegee-blades/squeegee_blade_with_alum_handle.jpg

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I'm a big fan of Ergo Force handles. Ed Long is the designer of those and also the cleanup cards that many of us use.

I started taping my manual handles with my regular screen tape (for easy clean up) several years before I started with Ergo Force, and since I switched, taping the handles is sooooo much easier. The aluminum is thin and tapes over easily, much more so than wooden handles. Clean up is so fast, I wish I could tape my squeegees and floods for my auto.

Taping handles has a learning curve. You've gotta have them clean to start with, and my "go to" chem for that is lacquer thinner on paper towels. Some consider that a definite no no, but I'm not in that camp.  I fold under the tape to make a grip friendly tab on BOTH ends. The Ergo Force blades have a feature Ed calls the "Deflection Extension" on the back side. It keeps the blade from rolling under so far the tape pops loose.

Using my method, and my tape, I have a 0% failure rate taping manual squeegees, even on longer runs. Zip Zip Zap and the tape is off...a little lacquer thinner and about 3/4's of a paper towel later and the perfectly clean Ergo Force handles are in the rack. I only have 6 of each size and that's all I'll ever need, since my manual is a 6 color.  I am aware that my method doesn't work for Mimosa, but I'm not sure why.

Mimosa:  For metal, the ergo force ones with triple duro are absolutely awesome for push or pull, plastisol or waterbased.  The only thing I do not like about them is ink will get under the metal and can cause issues (slight streaking during the next print run) if not COMPLETELY cleaned."   Okay. But mine are always, always, always perfectly clean...and it takes just a few seconds.  (pause to shrug shoulders)

Ed has occasionally been known to sell "blems" (blemished handles) direct. That may no longer be the case.

I'm not as excited about the blade that Ed supplies, but for several years now, I won't print manually with anything but his handles.

[Screened Gear]

I saw this a while ago. Its for pull printing and it works really well. Makes pulling easy. I push so I never got one.


http://www.advancedscreenprintsupply.com/ez-grip-squeegee-handle-details.html

[mimosatexas]

weird.  interested to test that out though.  Might pick one up next week.

I have tried taping and the tape just never stays stuck to the squeegee blade through even short runs.  I have tried a whole host of "finishing" cleans after my standard de-inking and a few different tapes and ink just always gets under the tape when the blade flexes and causes a gummy mess.  What tape were you using again?

[Homer]

I saw this a while ago. Its for pull printing and it works really well. Makes pulling easy. I push so I never got one.


http://www.advancedscreenprintsupply.com/ez-grip-squeegee-handle-details.html

....could you imagine the poor sap using one of these having the handles snap off!?.........I should buy one to mess with the guys.

[Orion]

I saw this a while ago. Its for pull printing and it works really well. Makes pulling easy. I push so I never got one.


http://www.advancedscreenprintsupply.com/ez-grip-squeegee-handle-details.html

....could you imagine the poor sap using one of these having the handles snap off!?.........I should buy one to mess with the guys.

Not so revolutionary...I've had this one around for years.

[ZooCity]

Ergos + your preferred blade.

Those advance ones are zany but look kinda good for wb/dc pull printing, which I find exhausting compared to plastisol push printing.

[Nation03]

I have all the ones Mimosatexas mentioned. I don't use my ergo ones that often currently because my pallets are not flat at all so they don't curve to my pallet like the other ones (new pallets are coming soon!) Once I have flat pallets I'm going to try them out again.

By far my favorite handle is this plastic one from printers edge: http://printersedge.com/screen-printing-squeegee-blades/screen-printing-squeegee-handles/squeegee-blade-in-plastic-handle/cat_67.html

They stopped selling them and I don't know why. I only have one and its my dedicated white squeegee because its the most comfortable. Keep in mind I pull the squeegee.

[bsdprint]

I have a couple of these ez-grip squeegees.  I use them when printing white ink and they work well.  I did however cut the long stand legs off... I thought they got in the way.

http://www.advancedscreenprintsupply.com/ez-grip-squeegee-handle-details.html

[jsheridan]

Still prefer the good ole' wooden holders.

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I have tried taping and the tape just never stays stuck to the squeegee blade through even short runs.  I have tried a whole host of "finishing" cleans after my standard de-inking and a few different tapes and ink just always gets under the tape when the blade flexes and causes a gummy mess.  What tape were you using again?

I buy rubber adhesive, plastic tape. I think the Intertape number is 500 or 550 or 505 or something like that. The vendor I use is not an advertiser on this board, so I'll send you his information in a text message on your cell.

But in many of the tape threads, I've seen that rubber based plastic tape is readily available at Uline and others. I use clear for frames and white for squeegees, and over image areas I want to make darned sure won't leave any adhesive....like two jobs on opposite ends of the same frame for my auto work. (Which I often do)

Now I used to tape my wooden handles, and it was hit and miss as to whether the tape would stay. Ergo Force is 100%.  If it worked on floods and squeegees for my auto, I'd likely tape 'em all except black and white. But it just doesn't.

I don't believe I have your mailing address, but text it back to me and I'll send you a roll.

[GaryG]

Ah yes the good old wooden holders.
Still use some from 25+ years ago. They seem impervious to ink, just kind of wipes off.
Must be the patina. 

[BRGtshirts]

I think the best thing about the wooden handles is that they will actually wear down to your hands... at least a little bit of groove/indentions. but who knows maybe that could be classified as a 10 year customization process? Just have to watch out for splinters after a while. But yeah, ink comes off and they're good to go. 

[kingscreen]

We picked up a few of these years ago.  http://www.rhinotoughgraphics.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_26&products_id=71
We don't do much manual printing these days, but I remember them being nice.