Reddit reviews Speedball Hinge Clamps, 1-Pair
We found 10 Reddit comments about Speedball Hinge Clamps, 1-Pair. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
AIDS IN REGISTRATION – Offers artists control for precise registrationMADE TO LAST – Made of rust-resistant, cast aluminumFEATURES WIDE-WING THUMBSCREWS – Allows for firm fastening to fram and positive locking for perfect registrationUSE WITH MOST SCREENS – Suitable for use with Speedball wood or aluminum printing screensSECURELY ATTACHES TO YOUR TABLE-TOP – Fastens to your table-top or base with screws. Screws not included
I didn't start from a single tutorial or anything. I bought some speedball screen clamps, some screens, emulsion, ink and a squeegee and started from there. I watched random videos on YouTube. Poster by poster, my setup got streamlined, and after a few months, I had a hand-built studio setup. I put together this process video a few months ago that shows my setup.
This is what worked for me (note I'm doing printing on paper not on t-shirts):
First you'll need a good screen (or five or ten), plus inks (i use speedball generally), squeegees of various sizes etc. These can be purchased online, or find a local silkscreen supplier (for example here is my local supplier in Denver that I use for screens, squeegees and screen tape: http://rockstarscreensupply.com )
Then you'll need to make your press, I made my own for $50 with a power drill and
Screw your hinge clamps into your board and you now have an easily cleanable printing surface that can be placed on a table or desk when in use or moved to the side.
or you can bring wash your screens in the shower with soap and water and patience, however if you are using lots of screen coat this gets annoying. If you don't have a hose you can always take your screens to a self-wash carwash
All said, I built my own home studio for about $500 with all equipment, and have been making lots of nice large scale prints from it. Hope this helps a little.
As others have already mentioned, I'd get a pre-made screen (aluminum frame will be better than wood, which may warp over the life of the screen). Since you mention fine text being part of your design, I'd go as high a mesh count as the ink you get is rated for. Probably something in the 230-305 range. The screen size should leave at least 3" extra space on each side of your design, so if it's a 6" x 6" design, you want a screen that's at least 12" x 12" on the inside of the frame.
As for the print setup, a flat sturdy table with some hinge clamps should suffice. Since you're printing on aluminum, you probably don't even need to worry about using any light spray adhesive or a vacuum table to keep it from pulling up with the screen after each print. The weight of the aluminum sheet should be enough to keep it down and in place. Even so, I'd get some spray adhesive to keep on hand, just in case.
Keep in mind that even though you only want to print a one-off, your first print probably won't be the best one, so you should get at least a few extra sheets to practice on before going to the final print.
EDITED TO ADD: Get a scoop coater to coat your screens with.
Alrighty, some of the ultra basic stuff is below but I would advise that anything worth doing is worth doing right and the vacuum table would be a huge upgrade to a tack table. Anyhoo...
Everyone's first hinge clamps. For the ultra basic, just get some 1" thick pine stock that will fit your screens plus at least 3" long for the clamps. Here is a mockup of what you're going for, even has 6-up 6x6 image areas mocked up.
You can just square up and drill in the clamps, clamp in the exposed screen, spray down some tack, and print. That's quite literally how I printed my first few gigposters. Note this only works with flat material, if you need dimentionality you will need to split this into 2 builds, one for the clamps and one for the jigs. But for flat stock, it works...
You will probably also want to use quarters taped to the bottom (substrate side) of the screen to help with off-contact. Also you'll want to put down some tape where your substrate is to be placed. Basically you set down the print piece where it's getting printed and run a few layers of tape along two sides of it, not attached to it, just the table. And finally you'll want to keep a 1x1 or 1x2 piece of wood or whatever to put under the clamps when the screen is up to hold it. Or you can buy/buid a sidekick.
Hope that helps and good luck!
I have the more expensive model of pretty much the same thing.(still looking for clients.) Depending on what you are printing.. If you really want to start small, just get a 110 screen, and some hinge clamps.. Do some one colors.. https://www.amazon.com/Speedball-Hinge-Clamp-Screen-Printing/dp/B001E0FI3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478171684&sr=8-1&keywords=hinge+clamps
There is a way to register. You need your screen fixed with cheap hinged frame clamps:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Speedball-Screen-Printing-Hinge-Clamp/dp/B001E0FI3E
Then print onto a transparency taped at the side. Slide your metal under the transparency until it is in the desired position, then fold away your transparency and print.
edit: seeing your other work, I guess you know this and I am missing a complexity
I just picked up a pair as well. Amazon has them at a good price, well at least $15 less than my local art supply store. speedball hinge clamps
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Amazon Product | Speedball Hinge Clamp Pair for Screen Printing
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[Amazon Link] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E0FI3E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_-TEAzbHASRWG9) Assuming you are in the USA and/or Prime Member- otherwise you could probably find something to do the same job at a hardware store or sites that better serve your area. Hell, you could probably get a local welder to tack a couple of them together for you from of the shelf parts, its just a clampable hinge...
On a side note: you should be building screens! Its pretty easy to do on the cheap and lets you start working with multicolor prints!
As a complete beginner I wouldn't spend money on that set up just yet. You can get the clamps on amazon here that will save you a ton of money and space. Just screw them into an old table or countertop you don't mind getting paint on.