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screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: ericheartsu on February 14, 2013, 09:20:58 AM

Title: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: ericheartsu on February 14, 2013, 09:20:58 AM
We are starting to do more and more small per item packaged shirts, and i was wondering if anyone has any experience with a folding tool, like the flip n fold.

Are they worth it? or are they worthless? is there something better?
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: mk162 on February 14, 2013, 09:23:30 AM
there used to be a company that made something called the EZ tee fold.  It was cardboard and worked great.  We still have 2 of them, they are pretty beat up though.

The nice thing about them is they are large enough for bigger shirts.  The flip and fold is too small to be useful.

I have often thought about making new EZ tee folds from coroplast and using tape for the joints, it should work, maybe I will get working on that soon....I can post pics on how to built them.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: Binkspot on February 14, 2013, 09:32:58 AM
We have a few of the FlipFolds for folding and bagging. Used it as a template to make some out of cardboard and Gorila tape.
I also made this to fold into the shirt to get it into the bags easier. Fold it into the shirt, then shove the whole thing into the bag and slide the jig out.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: Frog on February 14, 2013, 09:37:52 AM
I think that Sheldon is helping sales of the Flip Fold

How to fold clothes : the geek way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOdVHKFYY0c#ws)
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: T Shirt1 on February 14, 2013, 09:46:34 AM
I got bored one afternoon and made one out of coroplast sign material and packing tape.  The instructions were from you tube.  We haven't used it.............
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: Denis Kolar on February 14, 2013, 09:48:49 AM
I use Flip-Fold and love it
I have adult and kids size.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: mk162 on February 14, 2013, 10:00:43 AM
after using the EZ Tee fold and the flip-fold, there is no comparison, the EZ tee fold is so much easier.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: jsheridan on February 14, 2013, 10:11:03 AM
We've got an Anscomatic 800 series folder with conveyor..

Those ez folds and homemade versions work pretty darn good for the average shop getting into packaging. Eventually you'll want a machine when you pass the 500 in a day mark.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: cvreeland on February 14, 2013, 10:18:27 AM
We fold nearly everything. We got a bunch of those last year because we were hoping for greater consistency, but I can't get most of my folks to use them, as they claim they're too slow. I've got a couple people who can fold >50 dozen per hour, by hand. They're amazing.

I do wish I had an Anscomatic. It's at the very top of the wish list right now.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: JayzTeez on February 14, 2013, 10:21:53 AM
i have an adult and a youth flip fold and love them.  when i do it i usually invite my mom over to visit. lol
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: Sbrem on February 14, 2013, 10:53:09 AM
anyone seen this video before

Japanese way of folding T-shirts! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5AWQ5aBjgE#)

Steve
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: Nick Bane on February 14, 2013, 10:57:53 AM
have several folders made from coroplast and screen tape.  they get used pretty regularly here.  have one guy who wont use them because he can fold faster without, but otherwise they get used pretty often.  and made from scrap means they were basically free.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: Rockers on February 15, 2013, 08:27:14 AM
anyone seen this video before

Japanese way of folding T-shirts! ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5AWQ5aBjgE#[/url])

Steve

I have, but believe me it's not a very common way of folding shirts here in Japan;)
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: mk162 on February 15, 2013, 08:34:36 AM
Hey rockers, how old does this song get....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gEmJ-VWPDM4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gEmJ-VWPDM4)
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: Sbrem on February 15, 2013, 10:10:30 AM
anyone seen this video before

Japanese way of folding T-shirts! ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5AWQ5aBjgE#[/url])

Steve

I have, but believe me it's not a very common way of folding shirts here in Japan;)


I'll believe you of course. I first ran into this a few years ago, and a couple of us learned to do it for kicks, and never thought about it again. We don't offer the folding service here, but if we found we needed it, I would probably be searching for a maching to do it.

Steve
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: royster13 on February 15, 2013, 10:35:05 AM
We don't offer the folding service here, but if we found we needed it, I would probably be searching for a maching to do it.
Steve

Why not?.....It is a great way to add value to the client and profit for you...
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: beanie357 on February 15, 2013, 11:53:28 AM
We built the flip n folds out of pegboard with holes. It seems the weight and holes for air relief makes a better package. Plus we had the pegboard and no project for it, so it turning out good was a celebratory experience. Duct tape (gorilla brand of course for hinges)
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: Rockers on February 15, 2013, 07:42:16 PM
Generally my wife does all the folding and bagging.She has a very high standard and does not trust me doing it proper. Anyway The claim of 600+ tees folded/hr by just 2 guys seems to me a bit over exaggerated. That would mean one shirt every 5 seconds. Unless the standard is fairly low of course and no one cares how they have been folded. But that would not fly here as customers are rather on the demanding side, and why not they pay good money for having a shirt folded and put into nylon bags. But yeah since we have a flip fold things became a lot easier and even I`m allowed back onto the folding table. The flip fold seems to be a popular household item over here, you can buy it in all different sizes at your local homecenter.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: JBLUE on February 15, 2013, 08:35:29 PM
Those things are a gimmick. If you use them you will never be able to fold faster than that.  Like CVreeland says a good folder blows those away. After 1k or so you should be able to go way faster than that folding device. If not you should not be folding........ ;)
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: ZooCity on July 22, 2015, 04:21:58 PM
Where does everyone draw the line between manually folding via your staff's preferred method and automating it?

We are averaging over 300 folds a day and rising. 

Do the auto folders have options to fold in particular ways, i.e., sizes, bottom open, bottom flipped in, etc.?  Which ones can operate with a single operator?

Definitely going to hit up manufacturers for info but not sure where to start.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: dirkdiggler on July 22, 2015, 04:24:59 PM
you can buy a good plastic one at Bed Bath & Beyond.  for like 20 bucks.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: Frog on July 22, 2015, 04:41:39 PM
Damned if my sick mind didn't jump to a wise crack answer dealing with specific pharmaceutical cures for this ailment!
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: kingscreen on July 22, 2015, 04:52:19 PM
I recently found a FlipFold at a yard sale for $1.   It works great!
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: ericheartsu on July 22, 2015, 05:33:32 PM
Where does everyone draw the line between manually folding via your staff's preferred method and automating it?

We are averaging over 300 folds a day and rising. 

Do the auto folders have options to fold in particular ways, i.e., sizes, bottom open, bottom flipped in, etc.?  Which ones can operate with a single operator?

Definitely going to hit up manufacturers for info but not sure where to start.

we aren't quite there yet, but we are almost there. about 50 folds a day on average. bigger orders keep coming with folding though...YIKES.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: mimosatexas on July 22, 2015, 05:49:27 PM
I think the claim of 600 an hour with the flip fold is bullshit...

That said, I can easily hit 300 an hour, and probably closer to 350 on a large order with standard shirts.  They are pretty quick.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: larryk on July 24, 2015, 05:59:09 PM
I think the claim of 600 an hour with the flip fold is bullshit...

That said, I can easily hit 300 an hour, and probably closer to 350 on a large order with standard shirts.  They are pretty quick.

[/
I might have read this wrong but I thought he said 2 guys doing 600 per hour which would equal 300 each..... and you say you can do up to 350. Now that is amazing..... congrats!
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: mimosatexas on July 24, 2015, 06:40:40 PM
true, he could have meant both together can do 50 dozen :D  I read it the other way.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: JBLUE on July 24, 2015, 07:36:43 PM
I think the claim of 600 an hour with the flip fold is bullshit...

That said, I can easily hit 300 an hour, and probably closer to 350 on a large order with standard shirts.  They are pretty quick.

[/
I might have read this wrong but I thought he said 2 guys doing 600 per hour which would equal 300 each..... and you say you can do up to 350. Now that is amazing..... congrats!
One of our girls gets close to 300 an hour but that includes putting it in a  poly bag too. We timed her the other day and she did 292 in an hour using the crappy Uline bags that have the adhesive strip. With a flip fold bag top she would have been over 300 by a lot. All she uses is a clipboard with the clip removed.

Flipping all the flaps on those folders is too much waisted energy for someone that is proficient at folding. They are good for people that are learning though. Like training wheels on a bike.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: ZooCity on August 10, 2015, 04:59:38 PM
Focusing on how we actually fold in here today and I have to say that 600/hr for a single person may not be b.s.  Our main dude in that dept. clocked in at 516/hr doing Ts today.  Rookie folders are around 175/hr and normal people with some experience who aren't speed folding freaks are around 250-300/hr it seems.  Our fold is very specific for a client that stacks their inventory on racks for picking and packing but does not want to use poly bags. 

Looking at the options, that little Speedy T looks potentially smart for us.  Anyone run one or one of the rebranded ones? How does it compare to the Amscomatic and the Nedco?  I think a single operator machine would be best for us to fit in our workflow.  The Nedco does have a single operator option.  It's hard to get two people free but if the machines that need 2 ops fold 1000-1500 hr than I guess we could figure it out since we'd only need to do it for maybe a half hour to 2 hours on any given day.

Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: Rockers on August 10, 2015, 08:31:28 PM
Our girl does 300/hr incl. polybagging and taping up the bag. I`m pretty sure we could do more but I`m very confident to say that we do folding and bagging at a different level of quality then most other shops.
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: ericheartsu on September 28, 2015, 10:27:58 AM
Does anyone on the board have an auto folder? I'm looking at used Nedco one, and was wondering if anyone here had one!
Title: Re: Does anyone here use a folding tool?
Post by: 244 on September 28, 2015, 11:10:10 AM
I know where there are quite a few. Send me a pm with all your contact information and I will forward it on to some people wanting to sell theirs.