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Try these AI tips for work-arounds:
Substitutes for Newman roller frame alignment clips (used to hold mesh in place before inserting the locking strip) can be improvised using short sections of spare locking strip, small C-clamps/spring clamps, or by hand-tensioning and securing with heavy tape.
The primary purpose of the alignment clips is to secure the mesh in the T-slot during the initial, crucial, "barely tight" stage of stretching.
Best Substitutes & Methods:
Spare Locking Strip Pieces: Cut small (1-2 inch) pieces of old, worn-out locking strip to use as "clips" to hold the mesh in the corners and center before installing the full-length strip.
Small Plastic/Spring Clamps: Use small, non-marring spring clamps to hold the mesh in the channel, ensuring they do not scratch the aluminum rollers.
The "Hand-Tensioning" Method: Instead of relying on clips, some printers pull the mesh taught across the frame by hand and immediately insert the locking strip into one long side, then the opposite, then the sides, pulling and tucking as they go to avoid needing pre-alignment.
"Reverse Curve" Method: Instead of clips, some methods use a pencil to mark the mesh on the edge of the T-slot for alignment while feeding it in.
Important Notes:
Avoid Damaging the Roller: Do not use metal pliers or heavy, sharp tools that can dent the T-slot and cause poor tension or ruin future mesh.
Alignment is Key: Regardless of the substitute, the goal is to keep the mesh squares perpendicular to the frame bars, preventing diagonal tension.
