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screen printing => Ink and Chemicals => Topic started by: mk162 on December 03, 2014, 04:24:42 PM
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We just ordered a SmartWasher with SW-1. I've heard nothing but good things about it. I will post some updates once it's in and running. we are excited to get it going.
Also, the SmartWasher rep will be at the Long Beach ISS show in the M&R Booth.
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it works well. I wouldn't say it's any better than the safety kleen chems, but disposal sure is. I will see what sludge develops at the bottom, but the matting is supposed to catch most solids and that can go through the oven.
The fluid works well...maybe not quite as well as plastisol remover, but it's waterbased and it smells better than most.
i'll let the guys try it and see what they think. With my brush system, it should work awesome!
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Is this the ozzy juice?
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Yeah, we are running SW1 right now.
I really like the filters are before the holding tank, not after. It should keep the fluid better longer.
It's also on wheels, so I can move it around and park it out of the way when not in use.
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This stuff is strange. I wasn't really too impressed when it first went in, but as it sits i think it gets better and better. I don't see us going back to the old way.
I really like the system. I think the stuff works better than ink degradent. The filter is supposed to get changed monthly...but it can be sent down the dryer belt and cured. I would let it drain first so it's pretty dry, but this stuff isn't flammable anyway.
As the tank runs low, just top it off with more fluid at $90 per 5er.
The downside is you can't soak stuff in it...it doesn't work that way...as a matter of fact it discolors steel if it's left on too long.
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Brad, a couple of questions,
Why did you choose SW-1 over SW-7?
Has your opinion changed any since your last post?
Thanks!
Stan
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it's what was recommended. He's bringing by some SW3 to try. I checked with him and he said that it will work better after a couple uses.
We are liking it more and more. I will let you know what happens when we add the SW3.
They can all be mixed I guess, which is pretty nice.
Best part is it cannot hard squeegees at all.
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it's what was recommended. He's bringing by some SW3 to try. I checked with him and he said that it will work better after a couple uses.
We are liking it more and more. I will let you know what happens when we add the SW3.
They can all be mixed I guess, which is pretty nice.
Best part is it cannot hard squeegees at all.
We just received th Smartwasher and SW-1 chemicals for the LongBeach show. It will be shipped there with our equipment. They will be cleaning squeegees live in the booth so if interested have someone visiting the show stop by and try it. We do not sell it so you can buy directly from the source at the show. Just a FYI.
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Yes, you need to use their mats to populate the microbes. I think the solution is just an aqueous degreaser, probably is very weak on it's own. The mat populates the solution and the right temp helps them to propagate. I've seen vids of people dunking bikes in this stuff and it's pretty wild what they can do. I can't find too much else on this tech aside from that it's primarily used for water remediation at super fund type sites. Much more cost effective than pumping it all out and back in. While I cannot find information on exactly how microbes are turning liquefied PVC into CO2 and H20 (I mean wouldn't we be disposing of all PVC in this manner then?) I still like whatever it is that's going on with this technology.
They can all be mixed I guess, which is pretty nice.
I believe they would have to be to work optimally in our shop. The mix of microbes would have to eat PVC and acrylics to cover plasti, hsa, wb, dc. Otherwise, whatever it doesn't eat would just sit in the tank and buildup. Also, the little guys need to be ok with some ZFS in there, not to mention the anti-fungicides in WB inks. What about small amounts of silicone dispersion and whatever the heck is in additives like penetrant, retarder, etc.?
It would be important that they do not eat mesh, screen protection tape, roller frame coatings/anodizations, locking strips. Should be ok since a screen would be exposed for a pretty short amount of time.
Probably doable but would take a lot of testing I imagine to get the right mix where they can eat all that stuff, not eat the other stuff and not eat each other.
I looked at the big model that you could lay up to a 25x36 screen in. Looks perfect. It would also be immensely beneficial to have all ink removal done outside the washout booth.
Now if they can make it do all of the above and toss in some microbes that love to eat photo emulsion then bioremediative solutions might someday be the "all-in-wonder" we would all like in our dip tank.
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about a month and a half in now and so far it's great.
we have started rinsing things in the sink because as this stuff dries it can become sticky. Not always, but sometimes.
We put some new squeegee rubber in some really old holders and it cleaned the old rubber out really well.
We also took the screen holders off our press and cleaned them as well. it got rid of ink, grime, dust, and these suckers look new again. we then coated all the exposed metal with WD-40 and made sure the micros were well lubed.
This stuff is great. I wouldn't go back to an old parts washer. one of my favorite features is the auto-off on the pump. no more leaving the pump on accidentally.
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Have you de-inked screens with it yet?
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We bought the larger unit about 2 weeks ago. Nothing but good things to say so far. Really makes cleaning things a lot easier and they come out cleaner.
Haven't tried screens in it yet but they would fit in the larger unit.
It will be nice when tearing down the embroidery machines to clean off old grease/oil off parts also.
Just wonder how the stuff will smell in a few months and also how much sludge will be in the tank.
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We bought the larger unit about 2 weeks ago. Nothing but good things to say so far. Really makes cleaning things a lot easier and they come out cleaner.
Haven't tried screens in it yet but they would fit in the larger unit.
It will be nice when tearing down the embroidery machines to clean off old grease/oil off parts also.
Just wonder how the stuff will smell in a few months and also how much sludge will be in the tank.
We have had ours about 9 months and there is no smell or sludge at all. Nothing but good things to say about it.
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about a month and a half in now and so far it's great.
we have started rinsing things in the sink because as this stuff dries it can become sticky. Not always, but sometimes.
We put some new squeegee rubber in some really old holders and it cleaned the old rubber out really well.
We also took the screen holders off our press and cleaned them as well. it got rid of ink, grime, dust, and these suckers look new again. we then coated all the exposed metal with WD-40 and made sure the micros were well lubed.
This stuff is great. I wouldn't go back to an old parts washer. one of my favorite features is the auto-off on the pump. no more leaving the pump on accidentally.
Can I come check it out?
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Can I come check it out?
No.
Just kidding, of course.
This stuff has become my go-to for cleaning now. It used to be Krud-Kutter, but this stuff is better..again, only when warm.
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Can I come check it out?
No.
Just kidding, of course.
This stuff has become my go-to for cleaning now. It used to be Krud-Kutter, but this stuff is better..again, only when warm.
We have found its great to clean the press as well. Only when warm and right out of the nozzle to a rag.
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ok, here is my writeup, i'll post the positives of each...
Smartwasher:
1. eliminate safety-kleen & frequent sludge cleanings. The filters for this thing are before the fluid returns to the bottom. Most of the solids stay there. The stuff that does in the bottom is broken down and the organic matter from the ink has been eaten/destroyed. The waste is landfill safe once it's not in liquid form. Most of it is caught in the filters.
2. it won't damage squeegees...like ever. It cannot soak into the squeegee material, it just can't.
3. cleans a broader range of stuff...when cleaning the press before I would clean it with nasty solvents and then Krud-Kutter as a final cleaner to get the more grunge off the micros and such...this stuff does it all.
4. The smell. It takes a bit to get used to, but when you do get used to it, it's much better than solvents.
5. Look at the MSDS sheet...WAY better than just about any other ink degradent out there.
6. The cart has wheels, so it's very easy to move.
7. Non-flammable.
8. quote from SDS sheet: "Most important symptoms and effects: Direct contact with eyes may cause temporary irritation. Product is considered a dermal non-irritant and a mild ocular irritant".
Plastiwash or solvent based:
1. I would say on ink it works slightly better...but I have only tried SW-1, I am going to try SW-3, which is stronger.
2. The parts don't need to get rinsed afterward...the smartwasher can leave parts feeling sticky if the fluid dries on them...so we either wipe them down or rinse them with water.
3. works better for soaking ink knives and other things...smartwasher doesn't so well with soaking parts...also it will discolor exposed metal if it's soaked.
4. You use less of this fluid over time. The ozzyjuice evaporated pretty quickly because it's warm. But the ozzyjuice is cheaper per 5 gallon container, so it's probably even
5. Can be used as an on-press cleaner...ozzztjuice is utterly useless at room temp.
6. Not sensitive. You can't put fungicide, bleach or any other cleaners into the smartwasher...it will kill the solution.
The longer I've had the smartwasher the more I love it. I would never go back to a solvent system...ever.
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anyone knows who reps these? ive left a few messages but have yet to hear back.
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Our Atlanta Rep is Don Mcqueen 678-772-6295 mcqueendon@comcast.net
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I can only get it filled with SW3 not SW1. any opinion/experience if this is OK? I'm in Europe, so dealers for Smartwasher I found only stock SW3, no SW1.
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has anyone done their screen ink wash out in one of these yet?
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yes, sw-3 should work fine. my rep says you can mix them all day long with no ill effect, and he took both plastisol and discharge inks back to the shop to test them. i will see what he has found out. see if you can send them a sample or go with some dirty stuff to test it. according to the chart, I would think it would work better. i will say that after the first time you use it, it works better. i guess some of the solvent gets mixed into the solution and helps break down the ink. the first time it seems weak, as it goes it gets better.
I would imagine the discharge agent might mess with the microbes, i will check with him.
I think M&R is testing screen washing. it shouldn't have a problem. cool thing is it took the permanent marker mostly off the press when I was cleaning it.(i marked some parts so i knew where they went)
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ozzy juice does not like tape residue!
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/jlansdell/20150610_151233_zps3gmee0we.jpg)
Went into production today, I will be doing some beta testing for Chemfree and hopefully will be developing a new washout booth for screens with a tall backlit back. Made for screen printing, not washing car parts.
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We had one of those many years ago which I think ours was for car parts, after a few weeks we ask then to pick it up...didn't do anything but make a mess. Using the mineral spirits I don't think was a good idea but that's what was in the unit we had and it sucked. How is this smart washer different from the old parts washer we had besides the chems I see in the pic?
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We had one of those many years ago which I think ours was for car parts, after a few weeks we ask then to pick it up...didn't do anything but make a mess. Using the mineral spirits I don't think was a good idea but that's what was in the unit we had and it sucked. How is this smart washer different from the old parts washer we had besides the chems I see in the pic?
the smart washer has a heater in the tank to keep the solution warm. There's also a mat in there that grows a bacteria to break down the oils.
The chemistry/process is totally different than mineral spirits.
(I still want one of these for our shop...)
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just cleaned a rack of screens with it, it does work, really well. its awkward because the sink is not made for screens, but it just takes some getting used to. hopefully, we will be changing the design in the coming months and it will meet our industry needs much better.
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What Jason just said is why we didn't like using our old unit screens didn't fit and we only use it then for cleaning squeegee's and other small tools plus it was messy and I hated the mineral spirits. Interested in this because I would like to get a better wash out in our shop as our main washout for cleaning screens is outside the building.
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call Don, you can get one for 30 days free, if you don't like it, don't pay. Just send it back. Nothing to lose really.
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I wanted to talk with them about some new things, one being fixed brushes with fluid flowing through them so you can clean tools and squeegees.
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I wanted to talk with them about some new things, one being fixed brushes with fluid flowing through them so you can clean tools and squeegees.
see that black hose in the pic, its a brush with fluid flowing through it.
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same one mine has...frankly, it blows.
we clean the same few things in the shop, so my not have a fixed brush that you rub the object needing to be cleaned against. Kinda like a boot scraper outside a door. It stays still while you scrub your shoe on it.
kinda like this...it's 2 broom heads with a tube between them that keeps the fluid flowing to the brushes...WAY faster than using a lousy handheld brush to clean squeegees...
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yeah, that hose now sux balls...but after my trial period if I keep it, I am gonna convert it to a scrub pad with handle with the juice flowing through it. Honestly I am trying to get the sink part changed to upright and backlit, that's our plan. Chemfree is coming to the shop to figure out how I want it and what works best for screen printers and hopefully something better will be available shortly after that. Honestly though, the one I have holds a screen perfectly, cleaned 4 racks today in it.
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that brush probably works fine for car parts, but we clean things with lots of flat surface areas...it takes too long.
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Finally got my used SW23 pieced back together. Came in shipping with a broken pump. Seller said heat didn't work. Called up Don and got a temperature sensor, pump, and some ozzymats. Then got the SW1 locally from NAPA because shipping from GA would have really stung. It's heating up now and I'll give it a go this afternoon if it's up to temp!
This has been the most frivolous purchase for a one-person shop, but heck I want to make things easier/quicker. So far with chemicals I'm up to $932 lol hope this wasn't a mistake!
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Finally got my used SW23 pieced back together. Came in shipping with a broken pump. Seller said heat didn't work. Called up Don and got a temperature sensor, pump, and some ozzymats. Then got the SW1 locally from NAPA because shipping from GA would have really stung. It's heating up now and I'll give it a go this afternoon if it's up to temp!
This has been the most frivolous purchase for a one-person shop, but heck I want to make things easier/quicker. So far with chemicals I'm up to $932 lol hope this wasn't a mistake!
Its not. You will like it.
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Ok I like it. Do you guys wear gloves when you use it? The pump on this thing is no joke, splashes fluid everywhere if you don't rinse at the right angle.
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Ok I like it. Do you guys wear gloves when you use it? The pump on this thing is no joke, splashes fluid everywhere if you don't rinse at the right angle.
we don't use gloves or respirator. No Need. Turn the valve half closed on the nozzle to restrict the flow.
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rich beat me to it...also you get used to the smell, it's not bad, just different
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Didn't even notice the knob. Wow, that was a DERP moment. Thanks. Not entirely sure this thing is saving me time because I'm cleaning my squeegees and floods after every print job when before I just threw them on a shelf lol
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Didn't even notice the knob. Wow, that was a DERP moment. Thanks. Not entirely sure this thing is saving me time because I'm cleaning my squeegees and floods after every print job when before I just threw them on a shelf lol
In my opinion this is a great product for the industry. I know it made a big difference in our training facility/
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Didn't even notice the knob. Wow, that was a DERP moment. Thanks. Not entirely sure this thing is saving me time because I'm cleaning my squeegees and floods after every print job when before I just threw them on a shelf lol
In my opinion this is a great product for the industry. I know it made a big difference in our training facility/
I'm joking I love the thing. My new location is set up a lot better & cleaner than my old shop. I even mopped the floor!
Next task: Remove all the ink spatulas from ink buckets! I got in the habit of leaving them in there and it's time to clean that up too. Also going to wipe down ALL the containers with a rag and hot juice.
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Didn't even notice the knob. Wow, that was a DERP moment. Thanks. Not entirely sure this thing is saving me time because I'm cleaning my squeegees and floods after every print job when before I just threw them on a shelf lol
In my opinion this is a great product for the industry. I know it made a big difference in our training facility/
I'm joking I love the thing. My new location is set up a lot better & cleaner than my old shop. I even mopped the floor!
Next task: Remove all the ink spatulas from ink buckets! I got in the habit of leaving them in there and it's time to clean that up too. Also going to wipe down ALL the containers with a rag and hot juice.
Now were talking. We found if you use it while warm straight out of the nozzle to rag its also great to clean the press!!!
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Hi Guys,
I'm in Australia and I've purchased an Chemfree system I went for the jump version to clean our screens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8wOCrcVeIk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8wOCrcVeIk)
I just thought I would post a video of it working and find out if anyone else has had these issues.
We are using Rutland low bleed white NPTSF-2 Plastisol and this system couldn't clean a screen to save itself. In fact it's so pathetic it can't even clean itself.
Here in Australia we can still use solvents so am I being harsh on this system or is mine not functioning correctly?
According to the supplier it is working as intended and is fit for purpose.
It is breaking down the plastisol it's just very very slow to do so the ink becomes gluggy and you can see this in the mesh catchers.
The heater is functioning correctly and we are using SW1.
I'm currently being offered 55% of the value I paid to have it returned I'd really like to see the system working though instead of my money back. Chem Free have been no help in solving the issue though so I wanted to find out for myself if this is the best this system can do. I personally find it hard to believe people in the states are purchasing this machine if this really is the best it has to offer.
Thanks
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Hi Guys,
I'm in Australia and I've purchased an Chemfree system I went for the jump version to clean our screens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8wOCrcVeIk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8wOCrcVeIk)
I just thought I would post a video of it working and find out if anyone else has had these issues.
We are using Rutland low bleed white NPTSF-2 Plastisol and this system couldn't clean a screen to save itself. In fact it's so pathetic it can't even clean itself.
Here in Australia we can still use solvents so am I being harsh on this system or is mine not functioning correctly?
According to the supplier it is working as intended and is fit for purpose.
It is breaking down the plastisol it's just very very slow to do so the ink becomes gluggy and you can see this in the mesh catchers.
The heater is functioning correctly and we are using SW1.
I'm currently being offered 55% of the value I paid to have it returned I'd really like to see the system working though instead of my money back. Chem Free have been no help in solving the issue though so I wanted to find out for myself if this is the best this system can do. I personally find it hard to believe people in the states are purchasing this machine if this really is the best it has to offer.
Thanks
we find this to be the case as well with our squeeges and flood bars. But i've had better luck using our normal sponges, then going through with the wand that it comes with. I think some other shops use a strong solution, the SW4 maybe? which is something we are going to start looking into soon.
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Thanks,
That sort of confirmed what I was starting to suspect when the solution can't clean it's own brush I didn't see what hope it had of cleaning a screen.
Since we don't have to be environmentally friendly we might just swap to a solvent with a high flash point that will cope with the heater. Since i'll be loosing money anyway returning it I may as well just keep this unit as it fits the screens nicely and just ditch the ozzy juice.
Unless the distributor came to the party and gave us some different solutions to try to help resolve the issue but it seems like I would have to pay for them which feels a bit like throwing good money after bad.
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Try using a blue scrub pad soaked in the juice. Or a regular brillo sponge with scrubby side. The ozzyjuice doesn't really rapidly break down thick white inks but it does encapsulate the ink and allow it to drop into the basin.
My local Napa auto parts couldn't get sw1 any more when I needed to top mine off. I put 5 gallons of sw7 instead and it still works as good or slightly better than sw1.
The most surprising thing so far I have noticed about the smartwasher is the evaporation rate of the ozzyjuice! I had to add 5 gallons within the first month! That's $90 for less than a month of operation, I hope it doesn't keep disappearing that fast.
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Try using a blue scrub pad soaked in the juice. Or a regular brillo sponge with scrubby side. The ozzyjuice doesn't really rapidly break down thick white inks but it does encapsulate the ink and allow it to drop into the basin.
My local Napa auto parts couldn't get sw1 any more when I needed to top mine off. I put 5 gallons of sw7 instead and it still works as good or slightly better than sw1.
The most surprising thing so far I have noticed about the smartwasher is the evaporation rate of the ozzyjuice! I had to add 5 gallons within the first month! That's $90 for less than a month of operation, I hope it doesn't keep disappearing that fast.
it will, that's my only complaint. I have added a ton.
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I have tried sw3 and sw1. I will say it doesn't dissolve ink like solvents, but it's a heck of a lot better for you and your equipment.
I am going to get some SW7 and see how I like that.
Yes, you do replenish frequently, but at least you're not paying that money for Safety Kleen.
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I have tried sw3 and sw1. I will say it doesn't dissolve ink like solvents, but it's a heck of a lot better for you and your equipment.
I am going to get some SW7 and see how I like that.
Yes, you do replenish frequently, but at least you're not paying that money for Safety Kleen.
There was a time not so long ago that a certain someone was wondering when you were going to add to the 15 gallons you had in your old wash tank. How long did that 15 gallons last?
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the plastiwash? It's not compatible. oil/water. I am not sure but that much solvent might shock the system.
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It did stay clean with your filter system for over a year though didn't it?
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yes, i think it was around 1.5 years before I opened that thing up to clean the inside.
also, I have some filters for you for that thing...you can pass them along
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Anyone hear more about a screen printing specific model of the Smartwasher? A "booth" style?
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supposedly they were going to be working with me developing the model, they have been here and took pictures of what I had in mind. haven't heard back.
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supposedly they were going to be working with me developing the model, they have been here and took pictures of what I had in mind. haven't heard back.
Well dang it, I'm interested.