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screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: Prosperi-Tees on January 08, 2012, 06:31:27 PM

Title: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Prosperi-Tees on January 08, 2012, 06:31:27 PM
Who has the best deal on aluminum platens? Is it cheaper to buy bare platens and put your own rubber on them or is it better to just buy rubber topped platens ready to go.
Title: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Get Shirts on January 08, 2012, 08:19:18 PM
Not sure if they are the least expensive, but my suggestion is Action Engineering out of Georgia.  Unless you want to cover a bunch of pallets, or have a habit of leaving the pallet under the flash while you take a shower, I would buy them with the rubber.
Title: Re: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Fluid on January 08, 2012, 08:24:08 PM
http://www.actionengineering.com (http://www.actionengineering.com) is pretty good cost wise.   

I would advise on getting them with the rubber already on. That way if there are any issues you should be able to return them. Getting the blank platens and putting the rubber on yourself may be a trial and error and ultimately result in being more expensive.

What press are these for?
Title: Re: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Prosperi-Tees on January 08, 2012, 08:50:07 PM
Its for my Hopkins BWM 6/4, I was doing a run friday by myself and forgot a couple times that the flash was over the pallets. I checked them out after I was done and they are not badly warped but they are not completely flat. They are usable as is but figured I should put them on my upgrade list. $600 for a set from Action seems high but it is what it is I guess.
Title: Re: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Prosperi-Tees on January 08, 2012, 08:52:41 PM
Either that or buy the automatic rotator for the flash.
Title: Re: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Frog on January 08, 2012, 09:19:59 PM
Well, even aluminum and rubber pallets burn when left under a flash, but at least not warp as easily.

You may want to visit this old thread to feel like you're among friends who understand.
http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php?topic=567.0 (http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php?topic=567.0)
Title: Re: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Fluid on January 08, 2012, 09:20:39 PM
I just sold my sleeve pallets the other day and did comparisons on pricing.  based on M&R pallets, Action is about $35-$55 cheaper than M&R.  I would assume that would be around the same for all pallets yet you never know.  Guessing how each pallet attaches to the press would modify the cost some. 

I know the feeling of leaving the flash over a pallet. I have an adult M&R here I am trying to get rid of that needs new rubber.  Did the same years ago and just replaced the pallet rather than resurfacing it. 

It would take some serious heat to warp an aluminum pallet, lol.  The rubber will boil up like a zit though.
Title: Re: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Prosperi-Tees on January 08, 2012, 09:22:05 PM
Maybe I should invest in both the platens and the auto flash.
Title: Re: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Action1 on January 09, 2012, 06:16:14 AM
Gentlemen -

We now offer a less expensive, engineered wood product material. It's stocked in 8 different sizes and shaped with an angled load side. The sides are beveled and sanded smooth and the price is considerably less than the solid aluminum and soft top rubber.

The bracket design uses the M&R® Style mount and our Manual Bracket Adapters. This mounting system provides strength the entire length of the pallet and allows your manual pallets to be sued on almost all automatic machines. It's considerably better than what came with your press.

Please see this page on our website for a complete size and price list
http://www.actionengineering.com/cat-24-1-393/Hopkins_Style.htm (http://www.actionengineering.com/cat-24-1-393/Hopkins_Style.htm)

However - if you want pallets that will provide you with the very best print surface and tolerances - than our Solid Aluminum & Soft Top Rubber Pallets are the best choice. The material used is superior. The lifespan will be significantly longer. The print quality and overall ease of use will be immediately noticeable.

Title: Re: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Action1 on January 09, 2012, 06:19:23 AM
Are we not able to attach more than one picture per post?
Here is a picture of the EZ-Load Pallets with manual Bracket Adapters.
Title: Re: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Frog on January 09, 2012, 09:31:08 AM
Quote from: Action1 on January 09, 2012, 06:19:23 AM
Are we not able to attach more than one picture per post?
Here is a picture of the EZ-Load Pallets with manual Bracket Adapters.

Sure you can do more attachments.

As you see, up to four, but you must click (more attachments) below the Choose File button
Title: Re: Aluminum Platens
Post by: 3Deep on January 09, 2012, 09:59:09 AM
Nice pallets kinda looks like my workhorse pallets with a less bevel.

Darryl
Title: Re: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Action1 on January 09, 2012, 10:48:20 AM
Quote from: Frog on January 09, 2012, 09:31:08 AM
Quote from: Action1 on January 09, 2012, 06:19:23 AM
Are we not able to attach more than one picture per post?
Here is a picture of the EZ-Load Pallets with manual Bracket Adapters.

Sure you can do more attachments.

As you see, up to four, but you must click (more attachments) below the Choose File button



Thank you Frog.
Title: Aluminum Platens
Post by: Get Shirts on January 09, 2012, 03:56:28 PM
Those brackets are incredibly handy!