Screen Stretching Device

[tbarnes]

Hello all,

My name is Tyler Barnes and I work for Culture Studio in Chicago. I have been screen printing for quite a while, but I am fairly new to the shirt board. I have already spent hours digesting a lot of the information on here, and I would like to say thank you to all that have contributed to these forums. The industry truly needs this and I am thankful to have found it.

Anyways, I am wondering who on here stretches static frames in house? We currently stretch some roller frames with a manual Shur-Loc system and they come out fantastic. We send our static frames out for stretching since we do not have a device for them. What do you guys consider the best bang for your buck? We would be stretching maybe 10 a day. I was looking at devices like the Rhino-Stretch and the Tension-Quik, but was curious what others have been using and how satisfied they are? Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
-Ty

[RICK STEFANICK]

My question is why stretch in house. With all the excellent options out there your time is better spent doing other things. Just my humble .02

[Frog]

My question is why stretch in house. With all the excellent options out there your time is better spent doing other things. Just my humble .02

For me, a couple of years back, shipping costs started to queer the otherwise seemingly good deals and convenience of having someone else restretch my frames. In a big city, with a number of shops, a great business opportunity could be had for someone who picks up, restretches, and delivers frames for the locals.

[tbarnes]

My question is why stretch in house. With all the excellent options out there your time is better spent doing other things. Just my humble .02

Good question...to clarify we wouldn't stretch everything in house. We run hundreds of screens a day on all different mesh counts, and want to experiment stretching some higher mesh in house. There is a slight inconvenience to doing so, but we like to try and control as many variables ourselves as possible. Right now we ship them across the country for quality purposes and that costs a pretty penny. It wouldn't financially make sense to stretch the lower mesh in house, but we have had a lot of success with our high mesh rollers that were stretched in house and would like to see if we can repeat that on statics as well.

[Maxie]

I stretch in house using a pneumatic stretcher I built.     Stretching doesn't take much time, I put a screen on, do other tasks, glue and after half and hour take it off.   Something we do in between exposing, printing, etc.
Removing old mesh takes more time but if you use the right glue, Saati and Kiwo make good glue, you can just peel off the mesh and glue the mesh onto the thin layer of glue on the frame, actually give better adhesion.
I keep rolls of mesh and stretch what I need, if you have quite times you can prepare for the season.
I like being able to control the tension.      If you decide to use a pneumatic stretcher make sure you have enough pressure to give you the tension you want.
With S mesh I am now stretching to a much lower tension, 150 and 230 I stretch to 22N.

[tonypep]

It all depends on logistics. I spent two years as a prepress manager. I learned and taught. We could get 230s and 305s up to 40 nt's. Guess what? Sometimes that is too much.

[blue moon]

where do you buy the mesh?
My thought would be to ask your supplier. I know SAATI sells the equipment. If you are buying the mesh from them, it would make sense to go with their equipment as they would be able to help you set up and get going.

pierre

[mk162]

I view screen stretching as one of those things that is better to outsource and explain to your stretcher what you are looking for.

Find a great stretcher and make sure they can handle what you are looking for.

[Sbrem]

We stretch in house, though we have bought many stretched. We have a M&R Blue Max or whatever that we picked up at auction a good 20 years ago for $250.00. I, my partner, and screen guy (who has 30 years plus making screens) are fairly quick, though it's been a couple of years for me. But, buying pre-stretched and having them re-stretched will give you more time to do something that brings in income...

Steve

We also use Shur-loc panels, both roller and their easy frames.

[TCT]

For what it is worth, we had a old RhinoTech huge stretcher(pretty sure I actually gave it to a member on the boards here for damn near free).

ANYWAY, with your location I can't see any reason to bring it in house. We had it here and it was never financially worth the time it took. Plus it was just a pain in the A$$. You have places there in Chicago that will stretch don't you? If not I know there is a place up here(MN) that will stretch you Murakami S-Mesh screens reasonably.  They were talking about setting up a free or discounted freight program to surrounding areas.... I'd be happy to make that connection if you are interested.

Our in house results were just never as good/consistent as we get from a place that does it all day. Plus like I said, the money I spent paying someone in house to stretch was more expensive than sending it to a place where they stretch 8-10 at a time. 

[CBCB]

If not I know there is a place up here(MN) that will stretch you Murakami S-Mesh screens reasonably.  They were talking about setting up a free or discounted freight program to surrounding areas.... I'd be happy to make that connection if you are interested.

I’m interested! Been shipping them in from the west coast. Have you tried them out with Murakami mesh? I’d take Saati as well...



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[TCT]

If not I know there is a place up here(MN) that will stretch you Murakami S-Mesh screens reasonably.  They were talking about setting up a free or discounted freight program to surrounding areas.... I'd be happy to make that connection if you are interested.

I’m interested! Been shipping them in from the west coast. Have you tried them out with Murakami mesh? I’d take Saati as well...



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Message me your contact info and I'll connect you with the sales rep. The have Saati also if you want.

[CBCB]

If not I know there is a place up here(MN) that will stretch you Murakami S-Mesh screens reasonably.  They were talking about setting up a free or discounted freight program to surrounding areas.... I'd be happy to make that connection if you are interested.

I’m interested! Been shipping them in from the west coast. Have you tried them out with Murakami mesh? I’d take Saati as well...



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Message me your contact info and I'll connect you with the sales rep. The have Saati also if you want.

THANK YOU. Will email ASAP. I’m in Minneapolis this weekend for a quick shopping trip actually. Knew that y’all take the weekends off though or I woulda tried for a shop visit haha.

Talk soon!


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