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screen printing => Screen Making => Topic started by: shirtshack on January 05, 2016, 02:35:02 PM
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I'm finding it difficult to find a service in the UK that can restretch my static frames with Smesh, can any body point me in the right direction?
I may have to import a few bolts myself and use my large newman frame as a stretching jig to glue the mesh to the statics, even easier would be to use shurloc panels in my large newman, but that may be a bit wasteful, I'm not sure how much extra you pay panel vs bolt mesh?
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S-Mesh is the proprietary thin thread mash from Murakami. They may be able to tell you if they know of someone in your area.
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I emailed them last month, no reply.
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Did you get in touch with Dave Roper already? He might know.
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pm Al Buffington, he should be able to help you.
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For now importing the bolts and stretching in house would be the fastest. The Newman method works, but is a bit slow. There are some good manual tables available that can do 2 at once and have lifting tables. I do not advise stretching SMesh on a bar stretcher where the mesh will drag over a frame while it is being stretched. Lifting tables or the Newman method you mention are preferred. We sell in any length of mesh in 45, 53, 63 inch bolts.
Alan
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thanks Alan, can i order the bolts from you?
looks like i am out of luck using the newman method as my roller master is the L2 and can only go up to a 25x33frame, so will not completely cover and sit over a static 23x31 frame..
I will just send my frames an the mesh together to be stretched by my usual supplier.
what brand and models should i looking for on those manual tables?
thanks in advance
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Yes you can order from us, we do have 2 dealers in the UK, but both handle only emulsions.
We can work with them to stock for you locally.
Look for a stretcher that has a lifting table. The manual Chinese ones with a pneumatic lifting table do a good job and are super accurate compared to pneumatic controlled bar stretchers (we sell the Chjinese stretchers, some are real good, some are a pain to use). Avoid a shop who uses bar stretchers. The fabric will be dragged across the corners of frames and any nicks or burrs can play havoc on S Mesh, T Mesh is fine, but thin thread mesh is fragile, it needs to be handled with care in stretching, in the shop and in reclaiming. For S Mesh it is better to bring it to tension then have the table and frame raise up into contact with the mesh for gluing.
S Mesh Handling Newsletter: http://murakamiscreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Stretching-S-and-LX-Meshes.pdf (http://murakamiscreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Stretching-S-and-LX-Meshes.pdf)
Use a 2 part soft polyurethane glue. Super glue can act like a knife on the inside edge of the frame if it allowed to flow out into the mesh.
We also sell screens pre-stretched, may pay to just order those and ship a pallet or 1/2 pallet, (100 screens full pallet, 50 screens half). This will speed up the process.
However shipping of bolt mesh will be cheaper with a lower VAT. I will contact my dealer to see if he can help out here so you have a source there.
Alan