Screen Printing Equipment

First - Thanks to all the donors thus far!
Here is the Big News: The Screen Press is complete, The DIY Flash Cure Alternative and Consumeables have been ordered, the exposure unit has been started, and we are working to pick up additional screens and squeegees locally. Should be up and running in the next 3 weeks.

We have already had some interest in orders to help get us going, I will post more info once things are finalized...

We are at 29%, of our goal of $1300, thanks everyone so far. We are trying to reduce the goal by buying used and exploring DIY options.
We hope to keep the total cost of the screen press under $200, even with the problems.
Ordered the Chemicals today and ordering the inks tomorrow, for a combined total of $130.
Using a DIY alternative to a flash dryer, but this hasn't been ordered yet, should cost less the $70.
Found wood screens locally $5 each, but they aren't pre-coated, still will only cost $30.
Exposure unit will still be around $50.
The good news is we can get by for $480, bad news is we still need another $100 in donations.
This is for the bare minimum and we'd like to do better so I am offering a special Fr33 Labs shirt to anyone that donate $100 or more, if you have already donated more than $100 you will receive the shirt. I will post the design later.

Garland and I went to the gym then headed out to her 'rents place toget started on the press. By the time we got there the table/base hadalready been built (by her dad) and sanded (by her brother). Much ofthe other lumber had already been cut as well. I helped measure cut anddrill some of the smaller/more difficult parts, and threw a few coatsof shellac on the table. We had a few problems, and made someimprovements to the design, but that unfortunately drove our cost us. Iwill find out by how much from Garland's parents soon. her dad willcontinue to tinker with the press when he has time, and we should beable to finish it up next time she and I head down there.

Design Improvements - Gar's dad couldn't find a large enough piece ofround edge melamine for the platen, so we used a square edge and routeda quarter round edge. The plans call for attaching small blocks of woodwith large holes to act as guides to line up the platen on the platenarm, I was warned and quickly discover that drilling large holes insmall blocks often leads to splitting, and pre-dilling the non-drilledside to attach to the platen meant even more splitting. We saw this asan opportunity for improvement and instead made our guides out of anglesteel, cutting strips and bending 90 corner pieces. It was actuallyquicker and more stable than using wood.

Design flaws - we purchased the hardware as a kit from the designer onEtsy, unfortunately the lazy Susan (LS) they sent is smaller than theone used in the plans. The seller apologized in advance, and said tomount it on a 3/4" plywood instead of 1/2" particle board base in orderto clear the platen arm. No Dice... The thicker base doesn't compensatefor the smaller Lazy Susan, so it won't spin, AND the bolts included toattach it too the table are too short for the thicker base. We addedwashers, which gave us the additional height to clearance, but as wedidn't have bolts long enough to mount through the table we called itquits for the night.

Heading over to my father in law's place tomorrow with Garland to startbuilding the screen press for Fr33 Labs tomorrow, it will probably takea few weekends, but this will be a good start. Garland's dad hasdonated the lumber, along with his invaluable skills, and use of histools to get this built.

I have found a tolerable DIY alternative to a Flash Dryer, at least asa temporary fix, that should save us $225. I am keeping my eyes peeledfor used screens and consumables from closed shops to further reducecost. We could defiantly still use your donations and won't turn themaway if you chose to give over .

Finally I would like to thank everyone who has donated thus far!

I am listing the bottom of the line new equipment prices to giveeveryone an idea of what it will take to get the Fr33 Agent Labs screenprinting operation off the ground. You can also specify what you want the money to go towards specifically by leaving a note when you donate. We need to raise at least $1300to really get this going as a semi-professional set up.

• Screen Press, 4 Color, 1 Station - $400
  
• Screen Exposure Stand - $50
  
• Flash Dryer - $400
• Consumables (Chemicals & Inks)- $300
• 6 pack of Pre-Coasted Wood Screens - $150

We are saving on the Press by building one, instead of buying one. The hardware was $100, and I hope to keep lumber cost under $100 as well. I already have a few screens we can use, and shirts we won't buy until the first orders.
This is the most basic set up we can get away with and ensure quality,but obviously it leaves much room for improvement with the most importantupgrade being a conveyor dryer, but those start out at over $2000.

Ifanyone is interested in a special arrangement for a large donation, oreven long term, low or no interest loan, please let me know.

Finally heard back, equipment was sold on Friday evening. Thank you to everyone who donated. I have contacted you all individually to give you the opportunity to be refunded your donation, or to leave your donation for other Fr33 Labs Screen Printing purchases.

We are still accepting donations, but those donations will be used for general screen printing purchases and not to purchase the originally linked package.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Never heard back last night whether or not the equipment was still available. I've tried e-mailing and calling, to no avail. If I do not hear back this evening I will have to assume the equipment is no longer available.

I will contact all contributors Sunday and offer to either return your donation, or use the donation for other screen printing equipment, including a great DIY alternative.

Just talked to the guy on the phone. He said someone came and saw it Tuesday, and it is pending pickup. If it is not purchased tonight (Friday July 10th) at 5PM EST we will be able to purchase it.

Just got an e-mail this morning, the equipment is still available, I am hitting the guy up later today about checking it out/picking it up.
Here is the listing:
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bfs/1252277471.html

This will pretty much get us startded. Any donations beyond $300 will help pay for transportation, and other consumeables and equipment.