Vastex 1000 Semi Auto Coater

[screenxpress]

You obviously have not seen my red neck screen coater. 

Maybe Andy will provide a link, lolol.

[Frog]

You obviously have not seen my red neck screen coater. 

Maybe Andy will provide a link, lolol.

Here's the link to your video

The first obvious difference I see between the Vastex and your Redneck version is their speed control. I don't think that they are referring to how much speed the operator has taken!

[GKitson]

As I mentioned this unit will be slower for folks that are Very Good at coating one handed, but if you want you can teach a person who has never seen a screen to coat iefficemtly in minutes

Nailed that one, it is all about the 'new guy' making consistent screens.

~Kitson

[3Deep]

Hmmm, I just really don't see the need for this machine, looks like a monkey C monkey Do, you still have to use your hands which can have a different pressure each time you coat, far as speed Ok, but I've hand coated so long now I wouldn't waste money on that....now if I was coating by hand some of those really big azz screens yeah auto coater would be on my wish list.

[mk162]

Darryl, you are right, for you it makes no sense, but for a shop that has a noob coating, it makes perfect sense.

I love watching how bad somebody coats for the first few times...it's freaking funny.  If this eliminates a learning curve or shortens it, great.

[Vastex]

ok, so ours arrived today. I spent about 30 mins getting the parts together to install the unit, and it took a total of 10 mins to drill in and install.

I was coating screens in under 5 mins once it was installed.

I will say, first impressions:
i'm not crazy about the screen holding mechanisms. Multiple times while coating i felt my rollers slip out of the groove intended to hold it. Also anytime i had to push my screen down to pull it out of the holders, the whole mechanism shifted down as well, almost like the holders were sinking. Another issue, the holders kept sliding out of place, which made it seem really flimsy, and that a lock should be added so your upper holder doesn't have a chance to move around.

Coating: took me a minute or two, but i was able to coat pretty smoothly, with little issues. I did feel that every once and a while i was a getting a jerky motion though.

Two screens in and i had emulsion everywhere, but once I understood how i needed to coat screens with it, it was smooth sailing. Not bad for $2k, but also maybe not the best either.

Please don't hesitate to give us a call if you are having any trouble with your screen coater. We have done testing with rollers frames and we can try to figure out what is going on. We stand by all of our products and can help make sure you are satisfied. Our office number is 610-434-6004

[ericheartsu]

ok, so ours arrived today. I spent about 30 mins getting the parts together to install the unit, and it took a total of 10 mins to drill in and install.

I was coating screens in under 5 mins once it was installed.

I will say, first impressions:
i'm not crazy about the screen holding mechanisms. Multiple times while coating i felt my rollers slip out of the groove intended to hold it. Also anytime i had to push my screen down to pull it out of the holders, the whole mechanism shifted down as well, almost like the holders were sinking. Another issue, the holders kept sliding out of place, which made it seem really flimsy, and that a lock should be added so your upper holder doesn't have a chance to move around.

Coating: took me a minute or two, but i was able to coat pretty smoothly, with little issues. I did feel that every once and a while i was a getting a jerky motion though.

Two screens in and i had emulsion everywhere, but once I understood how i needed to coat screens with it, it was smooth sailing. Not bad for $2k, but also maybe not the best either.

Please don't hesitate to give us a call if you are having any trouble with your screen coater. We have done testing with rollers frames and we can try to figure out what is going on. We stand by all of our products and can help make sure you are satisfied. Our office number is 610-434-6004

Thanks! i planned on calling next week, as i'm getting a little bit of jumping when the holder is moving up and down!

[GKitson]

Quick video of the Vastex Auto Coater in action at the recent PROScreen workshop at Mind's Eye.

https://www.youtube.com/user/KitsonMindsEye

If you want to play with it it will be available to inspect/test coat screens at Greaves on Garments part deux Workshop at Mind's Eye October 9-10.

Details on the Greaves on Garments event at www.mindseyeg.com.

Later

~Kitson

[Homer]

any update on this machine? Are you guys happy with the purchase or is it just another thing to store under the dryer?

[ericheartsu]

it was ok, but we got rid of it about a month ago, and took it out of production about 4 months ago.

[Gilligan]

We have one... we like it.

It jumps sometimes... we only wish it went faster.

Also make sure you don't hit both foot switches at the same time.... keep some 1amp fuses on hand.

[Homer]

thanks guys, seems gimmicky. Think I'll pass.

[kingscreen]

We looked at these but ultimately felt it was an unnecessary luxury. 
Our screen holder is a worktable with two 2x4s attached. 
Simple, fast, and easy two handed coated.

Now, a UniKote...that's on the Wish List for sure!