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screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: Shawn (EIP) on February 09, 2012, 05:05:00 PM

Title: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Shawn (EIP) on February 09, 2012, 05:05:00 PM
Im starting to get wrist cramping issues which really bothers me because I'm also a gigging drummer, anyhow I have noticed that my wrist prefer the fat wooden handled squeegies that I dug out of a collection I had stored away (hated them before pre making the switch to pushing ink) , I forget where I purchased them from. Anyone know where I can find these?
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Evo on February 09, 2012, 05:11:05 PM
The ones Ryonet sells have big 'ol handles.


Weird....I'm a drummer as well and I have large hands but I much prefer the thinner handles. Seems to me the thicker ones offer less control.
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: ZooCity on February 09, 2012, 05:29:47 PM
Maybe from me.  I have big 'ol lengths of wooden jumbo handle squeegee handle.  I also have a bunch of 70 duro and some 70/90/70 blade.  If you're interested I'd be game to sell the handles for sure and probably as much of the blade as you want. 

I went over to the aluminum ergo force handles and I'd like to slowly get all the squeegees on that page. 

I prefer the fatty wood ones as well.  Not a drummer, but used to have a day job as bike courier and was a more avid mtn biker then and would run into hand issues with all the stress in the exact same spot for both jobs.  I'd get these lobster claw hands I would call them that would sort of lock up, like they were asleep and it hurt to get them going again.  I think it's the ulnar nerve getting too much pressure that causes this.

Make me an offer on it by the foot if you're interested. You'd have to assemble the blade/handle but that's easier than it sounds.
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Shawn (EIP) on February 09, 2012, 05:32:34 PM
The ones Ryonet sells have big 'ol handles.


Weird....I'm a drummer as well and I have large hands but I much prefer the thinner handles. Seems to me the thicker ones offer less control.

For pushing ink the fatter handles are more comfortable but suck big time for pulling ink. I have bananna fingers so the fatter ones aslo help keep my finger tips out of climbing ink.

BTW I like my drum sticks 2b's the extra long ones  ;)
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Evo on February 10, 2012, 04:48:18 AM

BTW I like my drum sticks 2b's the extra long ones  ;)

Yeah I'm the opposite with sticks. I play Regal Q 7000's. Well....I did till they discontinued them anyway. Still looking for a decent replacement.
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Homer on February 10, 2012, 08:45:21 AM
zoo -you ride MTB? I used to race a circuit back in the day. . .still have my first race bike, GT Avalanche LE, back when they were made in USA, full XTR group set, Thompson post,  man that things a beast. My best fried owned the local cycle shop, he got me into the carbon fiber stuff. .but now I'm only road riding, too old for the beatings.

Shawn - easier solution is to hire someone to print for you while you go make sales calls. your wrists will only hurt from counting cash.
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: mk162 on February 10, 2012, 08:47:48 AM
my wrists hurt from other things...typing on this stupid...i mean totally awesome forum.

Homer's right, but that is a tough road go when you don't have the capital.  I think he'd be better off with a good used auto.  That would free up time for him to sell and build it that way rather than with a manual.  Your production is just too limited on a manual...and it wears on you.
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Shanarchy on February 10, 2012, 10:23:00 AM
Shawn,

I'm with you on the fat handles. I stopped using the traditional thin ones years ago. But I say skip wood all together and invest in these http://techsupportsps.com/store/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/170x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/l/alum70.jpg (http://techsupportsps.com/store/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/170x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/l/alum70.jpg), I'm sure there are others that are just as good. But aluminum clean so easy! Especially if you drop it in the screen. Also, very easy to change the squeegee blade if need be. I was getting them from http://techsupportsps.com (http://techsupportsps.com)

Zoo, are these the ergo squeegees you are talking about?
http://www.techsupportsps.com/store/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/600x600/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/e/r/ergo709070.jpg (http://www.techsupportsps.com/store/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/600x600/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/e/r/ergo709070.jpg)
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: mk162 on February 10, 2012, 10:27:59 AM
I like the ergo ones from rhino...
http://www.rhinotoughgraphics.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=2_26&osCsid=522e35d35ab94c2e90c543a9e2167ebb (http://www.rhinotoughgraphics.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=2_26&osCsid=522e35d35ab94c2e90c543a9e2167ebb)
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Evo on February 10, 2012, 01:05:08 PM
So apparently everyone on here screen prints, plays drums and rides mountain bikes.


I used to work at a few local bike shops on the weekends. I'm a die-hard single speed convert. I had a Santa Cruz Chameleon that I built to be indestructible. BMX cranks, stem, cromo bars, DH wheels, 5" fork, etc. It weighed 32 pounds. Miss that thing, need another one.


(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3095/2554825141_466b748956_z.jpg)
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Homer on February 10, 2012, 01:20:42 PM
no doubt! what do you have on the front end of that thing? manitou ? looks like an old Judy DH. Chris King headset too? love those things. Single speeds are a ton of fun, I rode with a  guy on a Kona 29'r single speed. that's a weird ride for a short guy like me, but the taller guys loved the larger wheel. I blew through a few rides, my last bike was a Salsa Caballero, disc, XTR, man I loved that bike. Climbed like a mountain goat. I My next purchase was going to be a Scott Spark, but I got into this road riding thing. whole nother world. Man, I need to get back into MTB. I had an old GT LTS-3 -my favorite ride ever.

I had those pedals on my trials bike. miss that too. 2.2" tires. damn, those look bigger than that.
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: ScreenFoo on February 10, 2012, 01:34:42 PM
Hahahah...  nice.  I guess I don't fit in--I'm a bass player.  Just about every day it's sunny (which, luckily, is most days here) I ride my fully rigid Surly Instigator--three inch front tire, 2.5 rear.  XT geared, DH double crank, four piston discs, Doubletracks laced to Hope Pro II's, 38 pounds and nearly indestructible.  And I still drop roadies all the time.       :)
I need to find something good to replace the Azonic platforms though--I replace them almost as often as chains and cogs...

Back to the topic at hand--I started using polyken to tape 3/8" thick 1/2" pipe insulation to the handle side of the classic wood style handles, if you do the push stroke, I HIGHLY recommend trying this.  Cost under three bucks for enough to do 12' of squeegees... I have huge hands though, you may want to go to the 1/4" for short fingers.
Picked up the hint from a late nineties OSHA doc on carpal tunnel syndrome.

Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Homer on February 10, 2012, 01:43:28 PM
guitar here. . . ::) . I know -typical. . .38 pounds is a pig, not a bike  :D . holy smokes, my road is like 14 pounds. . .that's literally "Nuke Proof". . .ha!
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: ZooCity on February 10, 2012, 08:18:52 PM
@Homer - not a racer, just for gits and shiggles.  The courier job is the only professional cycling I've done. 

Good 'ol poor man's Surly 1x1 w. Profile cranks (ti spindle- the bling nobody sees), thompson, some kinda rock shox, ruby I think, etc.  Tons of fun.

@Evo- that is damn sexy. 

@Shanarchy- yep those ones. you can link 'em and make a transformer squeegee apparently and they stand on their handles blade up.  but the real reason I use them is you can flip the blade and get four brand new, sharp edges to use over the life of the blade.  the handle shape keeps you printing in the right direction. 

@Homer again- 14 effing pounds?  that's barely fart proof. 

@Foo- Brilliant, I'm going to try this for long runs. 
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Evo on February 10, 2012, 09:24:28 PM
Stats on that bike, at least when I sold it:

King headset, 03 Bomber Z1 fork/front 20mm hub, Atomlab rims, Atomlab stem, Azonic cromo cranks, Paul SS hub (36 spoke), KMC 3/16" bmx chain, custom machined 36t chainwheel, Nevegal 2.3 tires, Thompson post, Avid mechanical disc front with a 8" rotor, Avid single digit v-brake in back. (I'm all about the front brake)

I have an ultra cheap 29" SS bike now. (Nashbar special)

I'm gonna get another Santa Cruz this summer.


Back on topic - does anyone make those squeegee handle rubber grips any more? Like a piece of rubber that glues on, folded over the top of the handle. (anyone remember those?)
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Shanarchy on February 11, 2012, 12:47:39 PM
@Shanarchy- yep those ones. you can link 'em and make a transformer squeegee apparently and they stand on their handles blade up.  but the real reason I use them is you can flip the blade and get four brand new, sharp edges to use over the life of the blade.  the handle shape keeps you printing in the right direction. 

What squeege duro are you using in them? Do you push or pull? I bought a few and put 70/90/70 in them and find the design of the squeegee handle makes the squeegee rubber way to hard. I do pull.
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: ZooCity on February 11, 2012, 03:53:11 PM
@Shanarchy- yep those ones. you can link 'em and make a transformer squeegee apparently and they stand on their handles blade up.  but the real reason I use them is you can flip the blade and get four brand new, sharp edges to use over the life of the blade.  the handle shape keeps you printing in the right direction. 

What squeege duro are you using in them? Do you push or pull? I bought a few and put 70/90/70 in them and find the design of the squeegee handle makes the squeegee rubber way to hard. I do pull.

70/90/70, Push.  The ergo force have a lip that extends down and gives the blade more backbone if you are pulling.  That's probably what you are experiencing.  This feature is kinda moot when pushing.

But if I were pulling with these I'd get me the softest possible blade out there.  A straight 60 duro is going to behave more like a 70 with that back lip supporting the blade from buckling.  Maybe even a 55 is possible. 

But you should be pushing anyways.  Seriously.  Especially now that you have an auto.  I'll venture that, on a given print run, there is much less variance between manual and auto printing when the manual printing is done with identical screens to the auto using a push stroke. 
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Shanarchy on February 11, 2012, 05:24:27 PM
@Shanarchy- yep those ones. you can link 'em and make a transformer squeegee apparently and they stand on their handles blade up.  but the real reason I use them is you can flip the blade and get four brand new, sharp edges to use over the life of the blade.  the handle shape keeps you printing in the right direction. 

What squeege duro are you using in them? Do you push or pull? I bought a few and put 70/90/70 in them and find the design of the squeegee handle makes the squeegee rubber way to hard. I do pull.

70/90/70, Push.  The ergo force have a lip that extends down and gives the blade more backbone if you are pulling.  That's probably what you are experiencing.  This feature is kinda moot when pushing.

But if I were pulling with these I'd get me the softest possible blade out there.  A straight 60 duro is going to behave more like a 70 with that back lip supporting the blade from buckling.  Maybe even a 55 is possible. 

But you should be pushing anyways.  Seriously.  Especially now that you have an auto.  I'll venture that, on a given print run, there is much less variance between manual and auto printing when the manual printing is done with identical screens to the auto using a push stroke.


I have one 14" and two 16" ergos. I'll trade you for normal aluminum handles if you have them.
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: ZooCity on February 11, 2012, 10:47:09 PM
They're all wooden handle and one little 10" is the only regular aluminum.  If you want some woodys I'd be game.
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Gilligan on February 12, 2012, 01:23:28 AM
Speaking of aluminum handled squeegees... I just got finish printing a job and it reminded me something I've been wanting to mention/ask.

When I flood (I think it's flood... maybe push)... the aluminum handle will shock me at some point in the stroke.  What's up with that?  I mean, I understand it's probably static electricity but is there any way to avoid it?  It's a pretty mean pop.

This is on a 200 mesh with Union Soft plastisol inks and chromoline blue emulsion (coated 2:1).
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: mk162 on February 12, 2012, 01:33:59 AM
mist your workstation and yourself with some homemade static spray.  Check the measurements...but it's simply water and fabric softener.

I was pulling shirts off the auto one time and would get shocked every few shirts.  the longer it went, the worse it was.  I avoided it for a good while, and then I caught a great shock...right on the nipple.
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Shawn (EIP) on February 17, 2012, 01:20:45 PM

BTW I like my drum sticks 2b's the extra long ones  ;)

Yeah I'm the opposite with sticks. I play Regal Q 7000's. Well....I did till they discontinued them anyway. Still looking for a decent replacement.

My new sticks of choice is  5a Vic Firth Extreme , by far my favorites to use so far. I messed around with the Ahead's Tommy Lees ... junk and way too expensive! Not good for the quick punk beats,more for laid back steady rockin while smoking a cig drumming.
Title: Re: fat handled squeegies
Post by: Scobey Peterman on February 17, 2012, 03:06:04 PM
Screen Process of Alabama has them.


http://www.screenprocess.com/ (http://www.screenprocess.com/)