TSB

screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: Rockers on February 20, 2012, 07:42:02 PM

Title: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Rockers on February 20, 2012, 07:42:02 PM
Being based in Japan most equipment you will need for running a print shop are very expensive. I stopped looking for a good pressure washer here a while ago as even the basic ones are kind of pricey.
If someone could recommend a good 2000psi-3000psi unit that would be fab. That is for recycling the screens after they come out of dip tank. The options I really like are both from North Star Electric
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350515_200350515 (http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350515_200350515)
and
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200347872_200347872 (http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200347872_200347872)
Maybe some of you have used this brand before?


Same for a good hose just for developing the screens. Any suggestions?
Further more I need a recirculating screen wash unit. I had my eyes on one from ScreenKlean Systems. What are you guys using in your shop?

Thanks in advance and greetings from Osaka/JAPAN
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Screened Gear on February 20, 2012, 07:50:20 PM
I have the northstar 1700 one. It is a good presure washer and I have never had a problem with it. Its going on one year. I think if I had to buy another one I would get the 2000PSI one. The 1700 does a good job but it would be nice to have a little more power time to time. I had 4 non commercial ones before this one.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Rockers on February 20, 2012, 07:55:06 PM
I hear you. Right now I`m stuck with my 3rd non commercial one, actually it might be more just stopped counting at one point. Such a waste of money.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Screened Gear on February 20, 2012, 08:06:38 PM
I bought one from sams club. It broke they replaced it. That one broke they replaced it and gave me over $50 because they sold the unit cheaper then. That one broke and they replaced it. Then when this one broke they didn't have a replacement in the store. So they just gave me the cash.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: jasonl on February 20, 2012, 08:09:56 PM
I bought one from sams club. It broke they replaced it. That one broke they replaced it and gave me over $50 because the sell the unit cheaper then. That on broke and they replaced it. Then when this one broke they didn't have a replacement in the store. So they just gave me the cash.

I did the same thing at Home Depot about 15 times.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: ebscreen on February 20, 2012, 08:10:16 PM
Couple points. One, always turn the water off and release pressure when finished using. Two,
if you have water with a lot of particulates add a filter. And three, not sure if this is true, but I've
heard that they are supposed to leak at the inlet to avoid pressure problems in the pump.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Rockers on February 20, 2012, 08:11:51 PM
It`s just such a pain in the back going to your local home center  to exchange a broken pressure washer. After doing that for a while you start being on first name bases with the staff. And honestly I can think of better things to do in that time ;) So a industrial or at least a "prosumer" unit is the way to go.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: ebscreen on February 20, 2012, 08:17:31 PM
I would agree that a pro unit would be the way to go,and it's what we'll do next,  but we've been on the same HD unit for 6 years now.
Haven't had to do the return dance ever. Now that I've said that it'll likely go out tomorrow. Ugh.


Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Prosperi-Tees on February 20, 2012, 08:30:22 PM
I had a Karcher last a couple years but EB is right relieve the pressure. I learned the hard way a few months ago when I didn't turn off the water or the pressure washer and I came in on a Monday and my shop was flooded with the pressure washer on a constant hum. Luckily the motor didn't catch fire or anything.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Rockers on February 20, 2012, 08:44:57 PM
Actually that was one of the first things I was taught as I started working in a print shop in London. "Turn the power off, close the the tab and release pressure". They actualy had it written on the wall in the wash out room. We still managed to burn them out every few month or so. Still they never invested in a good industrial one.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Rockers on February 20, 2012, 09:30:22 PM
Gosh, I just saw most of the pressure washer run on 230V. We get only 200V max here.Looks like a non starter already. Maybe a gas one and stationing  it on the outside of the building?
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: mk162 on February 20, 2012, 09:34:49 PM
wait, hold on, I thought your either had 220/240 or 110.  It should wire into that fine I would think.  Don't you guys have standard outlets there?
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Rockers on February 20, 2012, 09:40:08 PM
It`s either 110V or 200V. But occasionally it goes below 200V, like 196-198V. Had to get a transformer from M&R to run or Acoma flash at 900F. Before we had the transformer it never went up higher then 800F. I assume though the pressure washer will work on 200V but not on full output.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: ScreenFoo on February 20, 2012, 09:49:49 PM
EB: Leaking at the inlet...  Perhaps because of a backflow check valve?  interesting...

If it's designed for 230, 200 will be hard on a motor.  A lot of models will have a 200 or 230 option--we tested voltage for the compressor a few years back.

I've been using one of these for years-runs on 110, although you'd want a dedicated 20 amp circuit.
http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Cam-Spray-1500A-Pressure-Washer/p1061.html (http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Cam-Spray-1500A-Pressure-Washer/p1061.html)

It's nothing amazing, but it's worlds away from the throwaways...
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Screened Gear on February 20, 2012, 10:25:28 PM
It`s either 110V or 200V. But occasionally it goes below 200V, like 196-198V. Had to get a transformer from M&R to run or Acoma flash at 900F. Before we had the transformer it never went up higher then 800F. I assume though the pressure washer will work on 200V but not on full output.

If its an issue just get the 1700 PSI or the 2000 PSI version. They are both 20amp 110 volts.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: screenxpress on February 21, 2012, 12:18:10 AM
I bought one from sams club. It broke they replaced it. That one broke they replaced it and gave me over $50 because the sell the unit cheaper then. That on broke and they replaced it. Then when this one broke they didn't have a replacement in the store. So they just gave me the cash.

I dunno. 

Your time for going back and forth that many time plus any waiting in line might make me look for a different brand/merchandiser.

Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Screened Gear on February 21, 2012, 12:40:53 AM
I bought one from sams club. It broke they replaced it. That one broke they replaced it and gave me over $50 because the sell the unit cheaper then. That on broke and they replaced it. Then when this one broke they didn't have a replacement in the store. So they just gave me the cash.

I dunno. 

Your time for going back and forth that many time plus any waiting in line might make me look for a different brand/merchandiser.

I don't think you follow it. I used 4 pressure washers over 2 years (or so) and at the end they gave me all my money back. I didn't end up paying a penny for any of them. They were all under warrantee and they even refunded me the warrantee money.  Yes they all broke when I needed them and it was a pain to box them up and go back to the store. Thats why I now have a Northstar 1700 PSI one and it is doing great. The best thing about these commercial ones they are a lot quieter.


Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: mk162 on February 21, 2012, 07:00:50 AM
I got tired of trying to find a cheap unit and went with the camspray 1500a.  That unit rocks.

I know I might be crazy, but I think that a lot of the cheapies are overrated.  That being said, PSI is only half of the equation.  The other half is flow.  A 1500 PSI with 2 GPM will clean better than a 2000 PSI unit at 1.2 GPM.  Multiply the flow X pressure and that gives you cleaning units.  Pressure is nothing if you can't wash the debris away.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Rockers on February 21, 2012, 08:09:34 AM
It`s either 110V or 200V. But occasionally it goes below 200V, like 196-198V. Had to get a transformer from M&R to run or Acoma flash at 900F. Before we had the transformer it never went up higher then 800F. I assume though the pressure washer will work on 200V but not on full output.

If its an issue just get the 1700 PSI or the 2000 PSI version. They are both 20amp 110 volts.
Just found the the solution to the voltage problem. A simple 3KW step up transformer will do the trick.
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: Gabe on February 21, 2012, 10:04:13 AM
I got tired of trying to find a cheap unit and went with the camspray 1500a.  That unit rocks.

I know I might be crazy, but I think that a lot of the cheapies are overrated.  That being said, PSI is only half of the equation.  The other half is flow.  A 1500 PSI with 2 GPM will clean better than a 2000 PSI unit at 1.2 GPM.  Multiply the flow X pressure and that gives you cleaning units.  Pressure is nothing if you can't wash the debris away.

I bought one washer rate it at 2000 psi when i blew my first screens with it i got emulsion and ink all over the reclaiming area
including myself, i had to buy me a shield for my face and along apron as well
should`ve drop the psi instead to 1500
like@MK Thanks
Title: Re: Additional equipment such as pressure washer + recirculating screen wash
Post by: screenxpress on February 21, 2012, 08:15:19 PM
I bought one from sams club. It broke they replaced it. That one broke they replaced it and gave me over $50 because the sell the unit cheaper then. That on broke and they replaced it. Then when this one broke they didn't have a replacement in the store. So they just gave me the cash.

I dunno. 

Your time for going back and forth that many time plus any waiting in line might make me look for a different brand/merchandiser.

I don't think you follow it. I used 4 pressure washers over 2 years (or so) and at the end they gave me all my money back. I didn't end up paying a penny for any of them. They were all under warrantee and they even refunded me the warrantee money.  Yes they all broke when I needed them and it was a pain to box them up and go back to the store. Thats why I now have a Northstar 1700 PSI one and it is doing great. The best thing about these commercial ones they are a lot quieter.

I must have missed the 2 year part. 

Sounded like a lot shorter time.