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screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: mimosatexas on November 09, 2013, 02:13:02 PM

Title: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: mimosatexas on November 09, 2013, 02:13:02 PM
Does anyone use one of these: PMI Tape Gun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOX6J0zg-QE#ws)

Does it work well?  Any issues?

I just picked up one of these at a garage sale for $5: http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/packaging/tape/dispenser/tach-it-sl3-manual-definite-length-tape-dispenser?infoParam.campaignId=T9A&gclid=CMSLsbew2LoCFcnm7AodThsA_g (http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/packaging/tape/dispenser/tach-it-sl3-manual-definite-length-tape-dispenser?infoParam.campaignId=T9A&gclid=CMSLsbew2LoCFcnm7AodThsA_g)

So far it is awesome to be able to crank out tape to the exact length I need (I set it at 4 inches, so 7 cranks for long side and 5 for short side of a 23x31 screen).  So far it is saving a little time over sticking the tape to the outside edge of the frame then using a box cutter and cutting, then sticking it on the inside, and without the risk of poking the screen (though this has only happened once ever).  Main issue is it only holds 3" tape and I prefer the 4" split tape, though it isn't a big deal to switch to the 3".

The gun looks awesome though if it actually works like in the video...
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: Gilligan on November 09, 2013, 02:22:10 PM
That's pretty badass!
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: ericheartsu on November 09, 2013, 03:19:23 PM
I picked one up, and tried it, and didn't feel like it really hit corners well. It left baggy pockets between the ink tape and the screen
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: bimmridder on November 09, 2013, 06:52:29 PM
I have one and just can't get the hang of it
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: GKitson on November 10, 2013, 07:19:52 AM
I have one and just can't get the hang of it

I agree with Dave & I think the problem is unlearning how we have been doing it for years.  Muscle memory is getting in the way.

Kind of like changing an experienced manual screen printer from pulling to pushing, takes a while!

~Kitson
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: mimosatexas on November 10, 2013, 09:00:23 AM
Not to derail my own thread, but I have had terrible luck with pushing vs pulling when it comes to keeping fine detail.  I have tried all different flooding techniques, stroke angles and pressures and pretty much no matter what, I get blurred edges on the leading edge (toward the center of the press) when I push.  With water based inks push is hilariously bad.
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: bimmridder on November 10, 2013, 07:40:51 PM
Greg, these days I'm short on BOTH muscles and memory ;D
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: kingscreen on November 11, 2013, 10:03:52 AM
We have one. It's a great concept but a bit of a pain to get used to. It doesn't have a tape holder after the cut and you have to pull the tape through the scissors every time. We have their table top mounted dispenser and it sees the most use.
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: Mark @ Hurricane Printing on November 11, 2013, 10:25:31 AM
After watching the video, I think it would get annoying to have to reload the tape into position after every pull.
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: bimmridder on November 11, 2013, 11:07:41 AM
I still don't know how to post a picture or link, but what we use is from Grainger, part number 11J931. It holds a 4" split tape and a 2" clear on the same dispenser. Works well for us in my shop
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: tonypep on November 11, 2013, 11:19:07 AM
We have about a dozen 2" tape dispenser mounted on press racks all over the prod floor. They are mounted w/ u-bolts.
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: Gilligan on November 11, 2013, 11:56:05 AM
I still don't know how to post a picture or link, but what we use is from Grainger, part number 11J931. It holds a 4" split tape and a 2" clear on the same dispenser. Works well for us in my shop

Hit the image tag button and put the link to the image in between the tags.  The link should end in .jpg if it's an image (but not always).

You can always just copy and paste a link into your text and it will be a hyper link and we can click on it. :)
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: Frog on November 11, 2013, 05:25:17 PM
I still don't know how to post a picture or link, but what we use is from Grainger, part number 11J931. It holds a 4" split tape and a 2" clear on the same dispenser. Works well for us in my shop

Hit the image tag button and put the link to the image in between the tags.  The link should end in .jpg if it's an image (but not always).

You can always just copy and paste a link into your text and it will be a hyper link and we can click on it. :)

And Dave,  to post an image that resides on your computer...

1.Click and expand "Attachments and other options" below the message window.

2. Then, choose what file to attach.
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: Admiral on November 12, 2013, 12:02:28 PM
We use a regular dispenser and pull out the tape to measure it to the image and rip manual than put it in the screen (easily and neatly).  Works out to take maybe 10 more seconds than that video...

I would think that gun would leave some corners undesirable and lead to ink seeping through corners...unless you have a guy very good with that gun and no one else screwing it up.
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: Binkspot on November 12, 2013, 12:11:33 PM
I have a std 2" tape gun clamped to a cart we use for taping the screens.
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: 3Deep on November 12, 2013, 05:06:42 PM
My thoughts, that tape is to high price, I've bought a few rolls for our rollers would rather use it on them but like I said to high.

Darryl
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: mimosatexas on November 12, 2013, 05:13:04 PM
It is expensive, but I've tried dozens of tapes, and the ease of use and cleanup make it worth it to me.  Everything else leaves residue, doesnt stick well enough, isn't waterproof, shreds when you pull it off, is easy to poke through with the edge of the squeegee, twists up on itself off the roll, etc.  The second best option so far was a tape from uline, but it was almost $6 a roll and had a few adhesion issues.
Title: Re: PMI Split Tape Gun - Thoughts?
Post by: Frog on November 12, 2013, 05:18:33 PM
It probably doesn't address mimosa's issues, but it seems to me that someone here once showed his homemade version of split tape.