Hey guys,
Finally have a little time to post my experience on the Baby Joe 2000.
Bear with me, may forget some info due to being really busy with work.
First, I live in Hawaii, so it took a long time for the unit to get here. With travel from New York all the way to Hawaii, there's a lot of room for things to get rattled some.
I got the unit, which seemed to be in good shape. Uncrated it, there was some oil on the bottom of it. Realized later that during shipping it probably tipped some and oil leaked out of it. Uggh.
Put it in it's place, turned it on and the vacuum didn't work. Oh oh. Tried a few times, it was pretty late here and then emailed Lou, the owner. Like 5 minutes after I get a call from him. What, it's like 1 or 2am where you are Lou! Crazy, I was pretty baffled he called me. Long story short, tried a few things and realized all the oil drained from the vacuum pump. Had to wait till the next day to get more. Next day comes, Lou is on it, tells me what oil to get, I get some, fill it up and it still didn't have suction. I then messed with the lid back latches to get a better seal and then boom, gotta suction!
All I have to say was that Lou was totally there for me and didn't leave me hanging and helped me out through the whole thing. Awesome customer support!!!
So I've been using flourescent light exposure units my whole career of about 12 or so years. I've made it work for what I do, but there's been a lot of times where I was pretty sketched out hoping I could hold some lines, halftones, etc. I'm not an expert like Pierre who can measure EOM and so on but do have an eye for art and what it should look like. I've never used a metal halide unit so I can't speak for them.
So I did some testing.
I Have been using 23x31 newman rollers for a bunch of years now, and also recently got some 23x31 aluminum screens at a good deal. One thing I was curious about, is that if my frames would fit in the unit.
They do. Very snug though, but they fit.
The unit is very simple. You set the vacuum time, which I had to figure out, it takes about 50 seconds for my frames. Gets really good suction!
Then you have to set the exposure time. Basically, it'll do the vacuum time and when its done, it goes straight into the exposure time.
Here's my testings:
Aluminum frame / 156 white mesh / 10 seconds exposure.
Aluminum frame / 230 yellow mesh / 7 seconds exposure.
Aluminum frame / 110 white mesh / 12 seconds exposure.
Newman Roller frame / 150 S white mesh / 15 seconds exposure.
Newman Roller frame / 160 yellow mesh / 9 seconds exposure.
These all came out really good. Some may have to add a second or two but that's it.
It's held some really good detail.
I'm really amazed at how fast it exposes the screens!
On my flourescent exposure unit, I do 3:30 for 156 and 200 mesh, 150 S Mesh I'd do 5:30!!!
Crazy difference.
I haven't tried any halftone exposures but will soon.
If I could change anything, it would be the size area of the screen, make it a couple inches bigger all around for more space.
The unit itself isn't fancy. It's simple like I said.
Well, that's it so far.
Let me know if any of you have questions.
I'm stoked I got it when it was cheaper.
Lou has been really cool as well. Thanks Lou!
