a few questions about the Tri Loc

[Mark @ Hurricane Printing]

I recently purchased a used tri loc, and I have yet to use it (it just arrived yesterday)...but I did set the part that goes in the exposure unit on top of the glass of my exposure unit..and does it matter that the frame of the tri loc does not sit exactly flush to the glass all the way around? I metal is kind of thin and I guess during shipping there may have been some slight "waves" bent into the frame..I use the word bent loosely becuase its not bent in the traditional sense...its just not setting 100% flush all the way around...like one corner is slightly "wave-y", ya know what I mean? All in all it looks like it will work no problem but just wanted to ask the question before I began experimenting with it. It is my first time being exposed to a tri loc.

Secondly, When I did set it on the glass to see what it was all about I put in a frame just to see how the securing process worked (I used a 23 x 31 panel frame)....so is there a trick to keep the tri loc frame from moving as you are installing the frame into the tri loc? I was attempting to click the frme in and the tri loc frmae kept moving on me hahah...as I said its my first time ever even touching one and I did get the manual but you know how it is..I was excited to finally have one and just wanted to see what it was all about before I began reading the manual...it will be a few weeks before i even use it because i am in the process of reorganizing my whole shop and by re-orgranize I mean I cramed everything into my one car garage over the Christmas holidays (lease was up on the shop I rented) and havent had a chance to set everything up.

anyway, those are my qeustions if anyone cares to hit me with some knowledge I appreciate it.

[patfinn]

You need to tape it to your glass. Buy gorilla tape holds really well. Doesn't have to be taped so the hulk can't get it off but just nice and secure all the way around. I like puttin a couple on the inside and some on the outside. You will love it! Also when you are aligning your film. Make sure you put the carrier sheets ON TOP of the film then tape. Found it is better that way.

[whitewater]

You need to tape it to your glass. Buy gorilla tape holds really well. Doesn't have to be taped so the hulk can't get it off but just nice and secure all the way around. I like puttin a couple on the inside and some on the outside. You will love it! Also when you are aligning your film. Make sure you put the carrier sheets ON TOP of the film then tape. Found it is better that way.

why putting the carrier sheets on top of film better?

[Nick Bane]

just me personally, we dont have our tri loc exposure frame taped down.  i use a mix of 25 x 36 and 23 x 31 frames, so the jig has to come off of the glass now and then.  as far as a trick to get the frames in easier, well it is kind of a trick.  i use one hand to grab the bottom stop block and that corner of the frame, and the other hand to hold the top 2 stop blocks and the frame corner and basically use your hands on both pieces to pop the frame in.  itll take some practice to get the hang but its a quick easy step once you get it.

never heard of carrier sheets on top of films, ill give that a shot next time.

[jasonl]

someone told me to tape my carriers on top so I tried, WAY TO MUCH WORk, and it didnt make a difference at all, IMO.  Also, if your shop gets in the high 90's or 100's in the summer, AVOID gorilla tape, the glue melts a makes a huge mess.  Get the white water soluable tape from Nazdar, it works like a charm.  These are my experiences, I know each shop is different.

[patfinn]

why putting the carrier sheets on top of film better?
[/quote]

Laying the film on top creates a little bit. Of a ramp effect from the film laying on top of the carrier to the glass. When you put the sheet on top of film you have the whole film flat on the glass. I liked it better that way, and helped us out. Like anything. More than one way to skin a cat.

Also make sure you tape both sides of the film and carrier.

[jsheridan]

Laying the film on top creates a little bit. Of a ramp effect from the film laying on top of the carrier to the glass. When you put the sheet on top of film you have the whole film flat on the glass. I liked it better that way, and helped us out. Like anything. More than one way to skin a cat.

Also make sure you tape both sides of the film and carrier.

You want to put the film on top of the carrier sheet as this puts the film flat against the screen.

That carrier sheet between the screen and film just created a manual choke and will cause the light to undercut your image edge.
If you're concerned by that slight overlap, the carrier sheets can be Cut down to fit your layout setup

[jsheridan]

That gorilla tape turns into a gooey mess on an exposure pretty quick, heck any good tape does from the pressure and heat.

a good way to keep the frame on the glass if you only use a single frame size is some JB Weld under the blocks and stops. When it comes time to take it off a metal spatula from the ink department pops it right off.

[inkbrigade]

I agree with johns last 2 posts

[jasonl]

I agree with johns last 2 posts

me too!