My NuArc 2125 is too small for my Gautlet Revolver

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I'm in the market for a C.H.E.A.P unit I can get by with for a while--for 23X31 frames.

I'm not afraid of exposing spot color stencils in the sun, like I did years ago at my sign shop...but it is not a viable solution when our inevitable spring rush hits.

I could use some advice. I'm spoiled with a single point HID and collimator.  BAD spoiled I reckon. I don't do a lot of Simulated Process, but I've read multiple fluorescent bulbs are a bad idea.

A few hundred wouldn't break the bank, but an extra zero MUST be avoided at this time.

Any and all advice (or an idled unit in someone's storage shed) would be appreciated.

Stan

[Frog]

There are starting to be a lot of good deals out there on MH as LED's get more popular, but probably not down to a few hundred yet in general.

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

There are starting to be a lot of good deals out there on MH as LED's get more popular, but probably not down to a few hundred yet in general.

That was my thinking too, Andy. But I've snooped around just a little, and so far....nothing in my price range.

Would YOU be afraid of a fluoro unit? I'm not sure...

[Frog]

A fluorescent unit with a good vacuum is capable of making some pretty darn good screens. I'd venture to say, that unless you were shooting for the absolute best in faithful reproduction of simulated process images, you'd do fine, as well as having the basis for an LED conversion down the line.

[mimosatexas]

The tube unit will result in significant undercutting when doing 45-55LPI.  I had one for years, and results with my 1k MH are night and day.

How handy are you?  I built my 1k MH with vacuum top for under $400 using a 1k MH grow bulb setup and built the frame, blanket/lid, bought the glass locally, etc.  If you already have a unit with a vacuum top, you can use the vacuum from that unit and it will cut the cost quite a bit  The glass is around $50.  The neoprene another $50.  Wood and hardware are another $50 or so.  The 1k MH grow light setups can be had for around $100 on ebay and proper spectrum bulbs are $30 for those units.

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I'm a farmboy. Pretty handy I guess, but a lot less clever. I rarely have an original idea, but I steal others and mod or improve on them as needed. True confessions I are a shameless idea thief.

Show me A PICTURE and I can build most simple stuff okay, and I enjoy it...IF...I'm not slammed with revenue generating work. A winter's project might just fill the bill.

[balloonguy]

I use a vastex bl exposure. I get great results. I think that with proper exposure you will be surprised how much detail you can hold. This is a single ink through a 305 burned on bl.
Matt

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

Wow Matt, I'm pretty impressed with that.

What LPI settings and positive printer do you use?

[balloonguy]

That is 55lpi @ 22.5 angle. I have started using 45 lpi. It helps reduce dot gain on mylar.
The film is from the oyo techstyler.