vacuum blanket life.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Well after 4 years my vacuum blanket on my crappy flouro exposure unit looks like a mouse had a field day all around the edges. Im debating whether to replace the blanket or just upgrade my exposure unit but i don't make those kinds of decisions very fast.

How long do those blankets usually last? I got 4 years almost.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Also if someone has a great upgrade from this http://www.silkscreeningsupplies.com/product/X-Vactor
For me at a killer price let me know! 

[Gilligan]

You really f'd up for not grabbing that 3140 when you got your press... but I'm not complaining... Thanks for that, it's been a nice unit!

[Prosperi-Tees]

Which one? Oh you're talking about the one by me right?

[Gilligan]

Yeah... Umm... Peter's unit.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Didn't have the cash then and really don't have the cash now lol.

[Gilligan]

I bet you did... you don't want to know what I paid for it. :p

[Prosperi-Tees]

You're right I'd rather not know, from dealing with him I know he pretty much gave it to you.

[3Deep]

Gerry if you take good care of you screens your blanket will last a very very long time, like keeping ink off, covering your screens with a black cloth, keeping sharp edges off your screens, that will help.

Darryl

[Prosperi-Tees]

The middle of the blanket is in good shape, its the edges around the frame that have gave way. Duct tape has been my friend but its getting pretty bad.

[brandon]

I agree with 3Deep above. Something else that is handy is to have a piece of fabric between the screen and the blanket itself. Not too thin, not too thick. I can say after having the experience of replacing a blanket on a 3140 it is not a quick fix. And now having one of those and a much  larger tri-light unit I would not want to replace either anytime soon.

[abchung]

We patch the small holes with the inner tube of the bicycle tyres. May be your local bike shop would have some used ones that they are going throw away.

We also cut out four pieces of tube rubber for the frame corners.

If finance is an issue, I would just hang in there so there is enough money for an LED unit. Of course a 3140 is nice, but have to look at the financial side.

[JBLUE]

Beer koozies laid on top of the frame corners works perfect. Just lay them over the top and they protect the blanket from burs and sharp corners.

[mk162]

i was thinking if anybody had tried that new athletic tape...it's really stretchy  I have never used it for anything, but my friends use it a lot.
http://www.target.com/p/kt-tape-kinesiology-athletic-tape-blue/-/A-11275315?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C11275315&CPNG=Health+Beauty&kpid=11275315&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=11275315&gclid=CJnw0tT9kLkCFY5r7AodlkkATg

[inkman996]

Gerr's problem is along the edges where it is fastened down. I know we went through that problem with our old vastex unit. Once it started to rip around the edges I took it apart rolled the edges to give it a hem and refastened. I also doubled the amount of hold down screws to give it some more life. It tightened the blanket up some but it did last for years.