Author Topic: I am doing some inventing again...  (Read 7197 times)

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7862
I am doing some inventing again...
« on: November 07, 2011, 12:33:40 PM »
So I am not happy with the effort that goes into cleaning squeegees.  I find it to be too time consuming and ink always gets missed on the ends.  Also, I hate cleaning spatulas.

So I am working on a squeegee cleaner that  will simplify the process and should be fairly straightforward to build.  I am going to round up some supplies tonight and see if I can have something hammered out by the end of the week.

This should be exciting...or not.  If it works, I think I can clean a squeegee and floodbar in under 30 seconds.  Putty knives in 10 seconds.

I've already put the kibosh on converting an old dishwasher...too many possible problems.


Offline Frog

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13980
  • Docendo discimus
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2011, 12:36:46 PM »
Do you presently merely wipe or do you use a parts washer sink?
That rug really tied the room together, did it not?

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7862
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2011, 12:53:16 PM »
I use a parts washer with plastiwash from Xenon.  The brushes that come with most parts washers are OK.  Even with scrubbers, it still takes a bit to clean squeegees.


Offline tonypep

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 5683
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2011, 01:01:08 PM »
I had one at one point. It used compressed air to turn two brushes and had a stainless holding tank that held the cleaning solution. It never caught on......it was kind of a messy operation and didn't really save time. I forgot who made it.

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7862
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2011, 01:06:33 PM »
this one won't have any moving parts, other than solvent.  It will probably fail, but hey, if it works, I'm happy.

Offline 3Deep

  • !!!
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 5330
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2011, 01:24:08 PM »
 MK, if you get it to work you'll make me happy too, I hate cleaning squeegees and floodbars
Life is like Kool-Aid, gotta add sugar/hardwork to make it sweet!!

Offline alan802

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 3535
  • I like to screen print
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2011, 01:28:09 PM »
Is this something you might be looking at patenting?  I'm going through the patent process right now and it's a PITA.  I'm beginning to wonder if it's really worth it.
I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it -T.J.
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it -T.P.

Offline Gilligan

  • !!!
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 6853
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2011, 01:42:04 PM »
MK... HOOK US UP!!

That is the one thing I hate doing the most also... cleaning squeegees.  I think I just need a squeegee for every color and be done with it!

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7862
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2011, 01:42:29 PM »
Nope, just done for the welfare and betterment of the screen printing society.

Offline Gilligan

  • !!!
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 6853
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2011, 01:48:02 PM »
I thought you didn't believe in "welfare".  ;)

J/K, wrong forum. ;)

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7862
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #10 on: November 07, 2011, 01:52:39 PM »
I do, private welfare.  I am choosing to donate m time to doing this, it's better than donating my money, against my will to study the effects of alcohol on chinese hookers(true story)

Offline Gabe

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 484
  • If it`s not alive, I can print it.
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #11 on: November 07, 2011, 02:09:31 PM »
hire a desperado out of a street corner
they will clean the ink out squeegees,screens ,floors for one day a week
problem solved

Offline Homer

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 3208
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2011, 02:17:21 PM »
I've got plans for round 2 of my reg unit, squeegie sharpeners and a self cleaning screen booth. . .all in my new building. While we are at it, WHY are squeegie sharpeners SO damn expensive and why are they 96" long? I need one badly and I can't justify 1500.00, even 800 for a used one. If my plans come together, I will be selling all this stuff.

What is the deal with this squeegie cleaner? Sounds like something I would use....hmm...
...keep doing what you're doing, you'll only get what you've got...

Offline mk162

  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7862
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2011, 02:26:36 PM »
I would hire a guy to clean, but why do that when it can be done faster with what I am thinking.  Less payroll, less liabilities, faster throughput. 

Offline Shawn (EIP)

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1356
Re: I am doing some inventing again...
« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2011, 02:32:11 PM »
I do, private welfare.  I am choosing to donate m time to doing this, it's better than donating my money, against my will to study the effects of alcohol on chinese hookers(true story)

WTF...