I am doing some inventing again...

[mk162]

gilligan asked me about welfare, he thought i didn't believe in it.  Simple as that.

[Shawn (EIP)]

MK... HOOK US UP!!

That is the one thing I hate doing the most also... cleaning squeegees.  I think I just need a squeegee for every color and be done with it!

I have a squeegee dedicated for every color 16" and left chest size and some others that I have to clean. I've found metal handle squeegies to be the easiest to wipe down so I'm trying to slowly replace those ones I clean with metal handles. I'll also use the same squeegie for red,orange,and pink.

[blue moon]

I've got plans for round 2 of my reg unit, squeegie sharpeners and a self cleaning screen booth. . .all in my new building. While we are at it, WHY are squeegie sharpeners SO damn expensive and why are they 96" long? I need one badly and I can't justify 1500.00, even 800 for a used one. If my plans come together, I will be selling all this stuff.

What is the deal with this squeegie cleaner? Sounds like something I would use....hmm...

fimor make one for about a grand. It is only about 24 wide. Seems pretty easy to use too. They are the ppl that make the 55/90/55 blades. . .

[Shawn (EIP)]

RJennings had plans on how to make your own sharper.

http://www.rjennings.com/Squeegee-Sharpener_p_348.html

[squeegee]

I've always wanted an automated way of cleaning squeegees, floods, ink knives, buckets etc.  I've looked before, was quoted on a Rhino something a while back, it was several K, several more K than I'd be willing to pay, but I still think the parts washer method is a wasted labor.

Tony was this the unit you remember?  Looks just like your description, brushes, compressed air.

http://www.fimor.fr/en/maintenance-equipment/serilor-blade-runner-squeegee-washer.html
 

[mk162]

$1,000 seems kinda steep.  I think I can do one cheaper...much cheaper and much smaller.  I also have some of the parts here that I need, so it's hard to say the exact cost.

[squeegee]

$1,000 seems kinda steep.  I think I can do one cheaper...much cheaper and much smaller.  I also have some of the parts here that I need, so it's hard to say the exact cost.

I'd pay $1K without blinking an eye as long as it works and really saves time.  The thing about the Fimor is it's not really "automated".  I want to plop in 10 squeegees, 10 floods and some ink knives, turn it on, come back in 20 minutes or whatever to clean tools.

[mk162]

I guess you have to look at cost vs. time saved.  If you are running a shop with multiple autos and going through between 30-40 squeegees a day, than $1k to cut your time in half is a good investment.  If you are a shop like mine with 1 auto, $1k isn't a good deal.

[squeegee]

True.  It would pay off for me in a matter of months, I'd pay more in fact for something that works.  There's nothing like waiting around for squeegees to get cleaned, I can't even quantify the loss in productivity at certain times.  It's sort of like using an ink mixer vs. a drill.

[mk162]

mine will be a totally homemade solution to this problem.  Hopefully it will work well. 

[squeegee]

Would love to see what you come up with

[Printficient]

What?  You cannot wait for my system?

[mk162]

Wait, isn't yours for screens?

[Printficient]

Wait, isn't yours for screens?

It is for the whole magilla.  Screens to reclaim.  Screens to develop.  Parts to wash.  All with no splashing or dirty hands...hopefully.

[mooseman]

 a squeegee cleaner is a great idea, my first thought on reading your post went directly to a three brush set up like  this device

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326663_200326663?cm_sp=Upsells-_-Top%20Sellers-_-Product%20Page

all you need is 3 typical scrub brushes molded plastic types should work just fine for bolting down resisting water etc softer bristles will be better one on each side and one on the bottom load em up with cleaner and soap and side those squeegees . Should clean them sparkling clean in no time and for just a few bucks and some sweat equity.
mooseman