Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: mstevensphoto on February 05, 2015, 12:43:20 pm

Title: manual crank laminator
Post by: mstevensphoto on February 05, 2015, 12:43:20 pm
hey folks,
   I don't do much mounting so I got myself a manual crank laminator. so far it's been a chore. I know consistent speed is paramount. the thing I keep finding is that I get roller dents randomly in my gator. if I use less pressure the image doesn't mount (currently using optica one and miracle muck). before I buy a very expensive roll of cold laminate film I'm wondering if any of you think it can actually be done with my current setup? using double sided laminate I should be able to roll on the adhesive and then roll on the image, but am I likely to be able to get it even and also have enough pressure to keep it stuck?
thanks
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Garnick on February 05, 2015, 01:21:44 pm
hey folks,
   I don't do much mounting so I got myself a manual crank laminator. so far it's been a chore. I know consistent speed is paramount. the thing I keep finding is that I get roller dents randomly in my gator. if I use less pressure the image doesn't mount (currently using optica one and miracle muck). before I buy a very expensive roll of cold laminate film I'm wondering if any of you think it can actually be done with my current setup? using double sided laminate I should be able to roll on the adhesive and then roll on the image, but am I likely to be able to get it even and also have enough pressure to keep it stuck?
thanks


For many years I used a crank laminator, but not a cheap one.  I bought it from Interlam and it was very well built and solid.  About ten years ago I called the company to order more laminate and the sales fellow mentioned that they had a new motor driven model from Interlam that someone had ordered and didn't pick up.  When I went to pick up the laminate I looked at the machine and was very impressed, so I purchased it.  I've never had any problems with it and use it a lot.  However, I did keep the crank machine in case there was ever a problem with the motor.  Then the crank model would fill in while the motor was being fixed.  Fortunately I've never had to put the crank model back in service, but I know it would still do the job.  If you have a good crank model it will serve you very well, although the motor driven model is somewhat more convenient.  Pressure is not really a critical issue.  Pressure sensitive adhesives and laminates do not require a great deal of pressure and they should work very well.  The adhesive is rolled on and then the release paper is removed as you begin to mount the print.  One thing to keep in mind is that canvas does not work well with pressure sensitive adhesives.  It will stick for a while and then you'll notice bubbles where the adhesive has released.  Thermal adhesives work well for canvas, or the "miracle much"(as I understand).  I get my adhesive and laminate from Drytac.

Hope this helps, Gary.    
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: bill t. on February 05, 2015, 04:47:37 pm
This old German guy is fun to watch.  He's the Michael Jordan of laminating.  He's makes it look about 10 times easier than it is, because he's got seriously good technique.

There are several of these videos, watch them all and you will truly learn something about laminating.

This is the #2 video, start here.  #1 was a marketing afterthought.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfiltdh77A0

PS, you're either using too much pressure, or you rollers excessively non-concentric.  One of those videos shows you how to set the pressure.

A good test not shown in the videos is to run a 12 x 40 piece of gator through either side of the machine close to the sides of the rollers, and slightly adjust the pressure at that side until the gator goes straight through with no sideways movement at both sides of the roller, with just the right pinch.  The right pinch is rather sparing, nowhere near enough to crush Gator or even fomecore.

Another good tip is buy a 4" Scotch Jumbo Lint Roller at the supermarket, the kind with the peef-off sheets.  The Scotch version has an offset handle that works well even when the roll is small.   Press that up against the top roller and rotate the roller to remove crud that might dent the print.  Also very useful for cleaning Gator and the back of the print before laminating, and provided the roller is not too fresh and super-sticky, also for cleaning the surface of coated prints.  I also have a 12" wide peel-off dust remover with a long handle than I bought at Target which is great for cleaning big sheets of Gator prior to Muck-mounting.

If you adopt the procedure of applying the laminate film to the gator first, and then mounting the bare print on that package, you will never have to adjust your fine-tuned machine provided you are mounting only.  Get the pinch right, then leave it alone.  Put pieces of tape on the adjustment handles so you can detect any creep, and if your machine has lock nuts use those too.

I have been testing with one of those junkers and I'm actually getting excellent results, but there's no way anybody is ever going to be successful mounting 44 x watever prints without a motor and without high quality rollers.

Edit: have also seen some bad Gator lately.  For a couple months cases were coming through to 2 or 3 of the 15 sheets having 12" cuts in the center, as if the rubber padding had come off some handling machine at the factory.  Also have seen a few voids visible through the cut sides of the Gator, so I've been carefully pushing my hand down against the sheets to find any of those before mounting.  So far have only found 1 in 30 sheets, but I saw at least two voids on the edges in that amount.  The supplier has a huge cart of returned Gator sheets for cheap.  However, the last carton was perfect so maybe it was a temporary hiccup in production.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on February 05, 2015, 08:26:55 pm
that guy is super! love it. Entertaining AND informative!

Very helpful stuff Bill. I think I'll go grab a couple of those 12" and drop them off at my mounter, as he managed to screw up 4 of my prints. Sure he didn't charge, me, but who pays for my prints?
I wish I had room for a 44" (I can print 44" yet do most under 40" and I don't want to buy twice), I rather do them myself if I have to deal with messed up prints.

My mounter was saying how the Gator board has stuff on it, and he didn't see it and was surprised it was dirty like that. and I thought everyone brushes down the boards before handling it to mount? The sides/edges are razor sharp too. Something like a scuff pad or fine sandpaper could work. Then I guess use that sticky roller.  

Another thing I noticed on the black on black core boards I have been using.... The first batch I got the core is a charcoal color, and the second batch, some were again charcoal and a few of them darker closer to a black.
Do they vary, or did he use other material?

How much would a junker quality 44" manual laminator cost vs a decent quality? (besides the $pace it will take up)
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: bill t. on February 05, 2015, 09:51:35 pm
All mounting boards come with pre-applied junk on them.  It's the industry standard.  Just wait until you get into Sintra, oh yeah!  That's why there are lint rollers (http://www.cleanersupply.com/products/product.cfm/pid/12852?gclid=CLab-pKhzMMCFQqIfgodhpMAbg), and the much more expensive blue rollers in the videos.  I think lint rollers may be preferable, they sure are more convenient.

I've got Gator mounted prints stacked up against too many walls several sheets deep, and they all look the same...from the back.  And arguably from the front.  Yes, those Gator edges are vicious!  Don't ever hand a non-sanded Gator print to another unsuspecting human being!  As you get better at making cuts with your utility knife held perfectly vertical your edges will become less deadly, but never quite harmless.

To the OP, I have been deliberately choosing relatively thin and supple media for my laminating experiments.  Relatively light weight, 15 mil Silver Rag is the best so far for that and for other reasons having to do with coating and appearance.

A definite don't-laminate recommendation is Hahn Baryta FB, which is one the most rigid and curl-prone papers I have ever seen!  The last foot of Silver Rag is less curly than the first foot of Baryta FB, coming of the rolls.  I've got a mounted 24 x 36 FB-on-Gator test going, will be keeping an eagle's eye on those edges for lifting.  Will be looking at some others soon.  I keep thinking about 10 mil RC papers, but I worry that minimal thickness would be eggshell-city.  FB is a little crushed in the highlights, BTW.

If you do need to use a very curly media put the long axis of the print along the long axis of the roll, the natural curl almost helps you through the rollers in that condition, otherwise it's a battle.  In any case it's probably best to decurl prints before laminating if only for easy handling.  Something I've heard from the pros is that running the print through in all four orientations is a good idea right after laminating, as is waiting a few hours and then doing that again.  I think David Fokos alludes to that on his site, talking about facemounting.




Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Ernst Dinkla on February 06, 2015, 04:35:07 am
I have one of the Chinese made manual laminators. 130cm wide, 15 cm roll diameter, red rolls. Secondhand with perfect rolls as it was never used and did not age either. Used an old Epson 9000 spindle with 3" adapters to create a better adhesive roll feeder. Two types of adhesive rolls , both from Zenith, a thinner one for smooth backside papers and a thicker one for papers like the Museum Etching. Apply the adhesive directly to a standard 4x8 feet 2mm DiBond alternative (mom + pop job) and cut the pieces after that. Then mount the prints with a cold vacuum press, more gentle to the print surface, more precise in placing and I do not see less adhesion. Done RC paper,  Hahnemühle Photorag Baryta, Museum Etching, German Etching so far. Cut the mounted pieces after that to size on the board cutter to the Qimage corner marks. Have the blue Zenith dust pick up roller now that also replaces some yellow silicon rolls for cleaning film, purchased from Kimoto ages ago and still used for rougher tasks. Simco anti-static equipment dual brush and blower + air pistol is used after the PE protection foil is removed of the alu composite. Will assemble the laminator to a table in the Zenith fashion shown in the videos, that table already has the DIY canvas stretcher incorporated so no space wasted. I use a low density 10 mm thick expanded PVC sheet at the back instead of an alu profile frame. The way I glue it gives a perfect flat mounting total and tested with 5x the intrinsic weight applied (outdoors for more extreme changing temperature + humidity)  there are no signs the PVC delaminates. There have been issues with alu frames in the past when I had the mounting done by a third party.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
December 2014 update, 700+ inkjet media white spectral plots
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: alain on February 08, 2015, 10:26:10 am
This old German guy is fun to watch.  He's the Michael Jordan of laminating.  He's makes it look about 10 times easier than it is, because he's got seriously good technique.

There are several of these videos, watch them all and you will truly learn something about laminating.

This is the #2 video, start here.  #1 was a marketing afterthought.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfiltdh77A0

PS, you're either using too much pressure, or you rollers excessively non-concentric.  One of those videos shows you how to set the pressure.

A good test not shown in the videos is to run a 12 x 40 piece of gator through either side of the machine close to the sides of the rollers, and slightly adjust the pressure at that side until the gator goes straight through with no sideways movement at both sides of the roller, with just the right pinch.  The right pinch is rather sparing, nowhere near enough to crush Gator or even fomecore.

Another good tip is buy a 4" Scotch Jumbo Lint Roller at the supermarket, the kind with the peef-off sheets.  The Scotch version has an offset handle that works well even when the roll is small.   Press that up against the top roller and rotate the roller to remove crud that might dent the print.  Also very useful for cleaning Gator and the back of the print before laminating, and provided the roller is not too fresh and super-sticky, also for cleaning the surface of coated prints.  I also have a 12" wide peel-off dust remover with a long handle than I bought at Target which is great for cleaning big sheets of Gator prior to Muck-mounting.

If you adopt the procedure of applying the laminate film to the gator first, and then mounting the bare print on that package, you will never have to adjust your fine-tuned machine provided you are mounting only.  Get the pinch right, then leave it alone.  Put pieces of tape on the adjustment handles so you can detect any creep, and if your machine has lock nuts use those too.

I have been testing with one of those junkers and I'm actually getting excellent results, but there's no way anybody is ever going to be successful mounting 44 x watever prints without a motor and without high quality rollers.

Edit: have also seen some bad Gator lately.  For a couple months cases were coming through to 2 or 3 of the 15 sheets having 12" cuts in the center, as if the rubber padding had come off some handling machine at the factory.  Also have seen a few voids visible through the cut sides of the Gator, so I've been carefully pushing my hand down against the sheets to find any of those before mounting.  So far have only found 1 in 30 sheets, but I saw at least two voids on the edges in that amount.  The supplier has a huge cart of returned Gator sheets for cheap.  However, the last carton was perfect so maybe it was a temporary hiccup in production.

Thanks very nice video's.

Don't leve the lint rollers some glu residu?
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: alain on February 08, 2015, 10:32:34 am
...
 Two types of adhesive rolls , both from Zenith, a thinner one for smooth backside papers and a thicker one for papers like the Museum Etching.

...
Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
December 2014 update, 700+ inkjet media white spectral plots
Hi Ernst

Would those adhesive rolls work for small "hand" done jobs, aka without a laminator but with a roller on wood (mdf or laminated wood panels)?  (I have done that sort of thing with different adhesive sheets, but finding good adhesives is not that simple.)  I was thinking about the KKDV version.

Alain

 
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: alain on February 08, 2015, 10:37:52 am
Hi

Has anybody experience with Zenith Art  Victor bar cutting rulers?

Alain
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Media59 on February 08, 2015, 10:46:22 am
Definitely too much pressure if you're denting gator board. My seal 600 has stopped on gator board at times and didn't dent the board. It will on foam core or Jet Mount because it's soft, but only if you stop.
We run about 40 psi on the gauge and about 105 degree temperature, just enough to allow the adhesive to soften and flow smoothly.

Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Ernst Dinkla on February 08, 2015, 10:53:26 am
Hi Ernst

Would those adhesive rolls work for small "hand" done jobs, aka without a laminator but with a roller on wood (mdf or laminated wood panels)?  (I have done that sort of thing with different adhesive sheets, but finding good adhesives is not that simple.)  I was thinking about the KKDV version.

Alain


The thicker KKDV version gives a high tack on any substrate and paper. Even some siliconised papers are hard to pull off. The thicker version is more expensive though and for a smooth gloss paper not recommended, high gloss asks for smooth mounting substrates and a thin even adhesive layer.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
December 2014 update, 700+ inkjet media white spectral plots
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: alain on February 08, 2015, 11:40:01 am
The thicker KKDV version gives a high tack on any substrate and paper. Even some siliconised papers are hard to pull off. The thicker version is more expensive though and for a smooth gloss paper not recommended, high gloss asks for smooth mounting substrates and a thin even adhesive layer.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
December 2014 update, 700+ inkjet media white spectral plots
Ernst

I usually use Harman Gloss Baryta and with some glue sheets I was able to pull it of very easy.  After that I've become more prudent.

Alain
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: bill t. on February 08, 2015, 12:38:27 pm
For those in North America, Coda Mount's "Cold-Mount 1" and "Single Release White Adhesive" are equivalent to the Zenith thin and thick adhesives.  Coda will cut down rolls to exactly fit your requirements.

http://codamount.com/pressure-sensitive-adhesives.shtml

***********************

For those applying adhesives by hand, adhesives with two release liners are the best solution.  They have a release liner on either wide of the adhesive, which makes handling MUCH easier than with a single sided adhesive roll intended for laminating machines.

The trick is, whatever you are applying should have a 180 degree curve to it as it goes onto the substrate or adhesive surface.  Simulate the curve of a laminator roll.  The curve temporarily flattens out any wrinkles that would cause bubbles.  As you move along, press with your hand inserted just inside the curve.

If you get bubbles, work them out to the edge as quickly as possible.  In the worst case, you can make a pinhole into the bubble, but that may make circular ripples when you press it down.  Takes practice.

The tests I make a year ago with Coda's "Double Release Adhesive" are still hold holding a stiff paper print to 6 mm expanded PVC with no issues.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: alain on February 08, 2015, 03:19:42 pm
...

For those applying adhesives by hand, adhesives with two release liners are the best solution.  They have a release liner on either wide of the adhesive, which makes handling MUCH easier than with a single sided adhesive roll intended for laminating machines.

The trick is, whatever you are applying should have a 180 degree curve to it as it goes onto the substrate or adhesive surface.  Simulate the curve of a laminator roll.  The curve temporarily flattens out any wrinkles that would cause bubbles.  As you move along, press with your hand inserted just inside the curve.

If you get bubbles, work them out to the edge as quickly as possible.  In the worst case, you can make a pinhole into the bubble, but that may make circular ripples when you press it down.  Takes practice.

The tests I make a year ago with Coda's "Double Release Adhesive" are still hold holding a stiff paper print to 6 mm expanded PVC with no issues.

I've worked with two release liners and one.  With one release liner you'll need a stand to put the roll on and it's more stressful, but I don't find it that more difficult.
I apply the adhesive with my hand going from left to right and back.  The picture is with a inkt-roller or a softer roller.
I can do it on my own, but it's a lot less stressful with two persons.

When punching a pinhole, I have learned to use an hair dryer.  The hot air escapes and pulls the print to the surface when cooling.


But after seeing the video's (from someone that's very crafted), I think about buying a cheap manual crank laminator (either 25" or 29").  It will only be very light use, but it seems a lot faster.


 
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: bill t. on February 08, 2015, 04:35:01 pm
But after seeing the video's (from someone that's very crafted), I think about buying a cheap manual crank laminator (either 25" or 29").  It will only be very light use, but it seems a lot faster.
When one comes to terms with the foibles of a particular manual laminator, the main limiting things are one's arm reach and deftness, which limit one's ability to remove release liners while also cranking or pushing.  When working solo, a meter length is about all I can safely handle.   An assistant is almost as useful as a motor, and one of the best reasons I can think of to get married.

In regards to those bubbles, I think your heat suggestion is a good tip and should work well in most cases.  FWIW I know a framer who heats up adhesive backed sheets and prints with a hair dryer just before application.

However, I got into trouble with bubble piercing when I had bubbles under an already coated print.  The Premier Art Print Shield coatings made the surface of the rag paper so rigid that it acted like an RC paper in its unwillingness to provide any give-and-take stretching.  Permanent circular "ringworms" were the result.  A 33 x 90 inch print and big piece of Gator, down the drain.  Was concerned that coating after mounting would produce shrinking that would stress the adhesive layer and encourage slow delamination.

Edit: should mention that my bubble problem occurred with glue mounting to Gator where the wet, glue-coated Gator had taken a curl, rather than with adhesive laminating.  Have had very good results mounting all kinds of coated prints with a roller laminator.  Definitely much easier to adhesive mount rigid media like RC papers, rather than to dry mount.  In the past I have rolled prints on to glued-up, slightly curled 3/16 inch (5 mm) Gator using a laminator with no problems, but I wonder if thicker Gator sheets would work as well.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: alain on February 08, 2015, 06:05:52 pm
When one comes to terms with the foibles of a particular manual laminator, the main limiting things are one's arm reach and deftness, which limit one's ability to remove release liners while also cranking or pushing.  When working solo, a meter length is about all I can safely handle.   An assistant is almost as useful as a motor, and one of the best reasons I can think of to get married.

In regards to those bubbles, I think your heat suggestion is a good tip and should work well in most cases.  FWIW I know a framer who heats up adhesive backed sheets and prints with a hair dryer just before application.

However, I got into trouble with bubble piercing when I had bubbles under an already coated print.  The Premier Art Print Shield coatings made the surface of the rag paper so rigid that it acted like an RC paper in its unwillingness to provide any give-and-take stretching.  Permanent circular "ringworms" were the result.  A 33 x 90 inch print and big piece of Gator, down the drain.  Was concerned that coating after mounting would produce shrinking that would stress the adhesive layer and encourage slow delamination.
I fully understand the maximum length reasons and handling larger sheets becomes a problem to.

An assistant is nice, but with the manual method the assistant needs to know how to do it and how I am proceeding, that's sometimes tricky. 
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on February 09, 2015, 05:26:10 pm
This makes me want to get one of those 51" manual cranks and see how they work out. At $499,  I can't expect it to last a lifetime, but I think it maybe worth trying it. as long as the roll moves evenly on both sides and the screw down knobs are even.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: bill t. on February 09, 2015, 05:58:37 pm
Thought long and hard about one of those 51" ebay specials, too.  Came within about 2 seconds of pulling the trigger on a much fancier machine today, except I'm not quite ready to receive it as I need to rearrange my shop configuration to accommodate a 75" wide whale.

Anyway, Phil, ahem, why don't YOU buy that 51" machine and tell me all about it?  :)

My only concern is that the 2.6 inch rollers on my 29" machine may be at the limit of sitffness for that size.  What's the width of the rollers on your 51" candidate?  When I was looking at those some models had 2.6" rollers, and some had much bigger.  I would definitely think the "much bigger" rollers were preferable for that much span.  In theory, small diameter rollers would be subject to bending during use, perhaps.

Don't know how long they would last.  I killed a 25" model by running non-deburred Dibond through it.  Amazing how fast a little tiny cut evolved into a gaping canyon, there's a lot of surface tension on those rollers.  Have also seen a few used laminators that had knife cuts on the rollers, which is why I have been using these Alvin Zippy Knives (http://www.cutting-mats.net/zippy-knives.html).  Lotsa times you need to made essentially zero visibility cuts to free up the laminated piece, mere millimeters from the rollers.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on February 09, 2015, 06:16:02 pm
hehe...I too have space issues:-)

The one I was looking at the dia is 4.2" with silicone not rubber, claiming it is softer and won't harden.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Mike Sellers on February 09, 2015, 09:43:49 pm
Here is one from Italy that has gauges on the ends for even pressure.eBay item number:

201178088078
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: bill t. on February 09, 2015, 10:35:26 pm
The single feed roll spindle is all most of us who just want to mount prints would ever use.  All the fancy laminators one sees with 4 spindles are for encapsulating banners of girls in their underwear down at the mall and other boring stuff.  Would be nice if it had tensioning on that roller, I don't think it does.  As the Zenith videos show it's also possible to simply let the adhesive roll bounce up and down on the outfeeding substrate, although a fresh, 200 foot roll of adhesive might a little too heavy for that.

In terms of actual production the only thing one might find slightly lacking is a heat-assist top roller for those icy winter days and for theoretically improving the quality of the adhesion on any day.  But in truth a hair dryer works pretty well too if one simply insists on heat assist.

Would not be too hard to cobble together a roll feed with about $20 of Home Depot technology.  I'm thinking plastic roll end shipping supports might supply exactly the right amount of tensioning.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on February 09, 2015, 11:34:29 pm
That Italian one takes 2.5cm,

The one out of Tustin CA takes 1.5inches media, with 4.2" roller.
Also comes in wooden case...Woopi! :-)
2 sold in the last 24hours.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: disneytoy on May 24, 2015, 06:44:53 am
I'm about to order (China via Tyustin) a 39" 1m laminator. It has the smaller size roller. I really only need to mount photos (example 35x24") on Sintra. Are these smaller rollers really not suitable? I think I need the double release filn. TRhe single sided seems to have too much waste if you aren't using the rolls whole width. AM I correctr, the doupole release I cancut say a 24x36" from a 42" roll and that scrap could be saved for future smaller prints?

Is that pissible with the single release?
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Garnick on May 24, 2015, 03:32:00 pm
hehe...I too have space issues:-)

The one I was looking at the dia is 4.2" with silicone not rubber, claiming it is softer and won't harden.

Silicone rollers are absolutely essential!  The rubber rollers are a pain, since the adhesive residue will stick to them very easily.  You can get it off, but it is not a fun task at all.  My first cold mount laminator(manual crank) had the rubber rollers, but the newer one(motor driven) has the silicone rollers, and there's a huge difference in the ease of operation, in every way.

Gary    
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Peter McLennan on May 24, 2015, 06:13:37 pm
From another ebay ad:

 A better, safer laminating experience
Widely applied to the modern nuptial dresses, the artistic photography,
the computer spurt drawings, the calligraphy and paintings, the playbills,
the advertising pictures, the effect charts, and the document...
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on May 24, 2015, 06:31:31 pm
There is one on Ebay China import with silicone roller. its the green one I think. Tri8 Pro? maybe the model name. It is for a 51" inch, which is what I'm thinking of getting.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: disneytoy on May 24, 2015, 09:04:34 pm
Trans8 and Trans8 Pro are all from China.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: disneytoy on May 25, 2015, 04:13:37 am
Just ordered a 39" 2.5" roller one. rubber rollers. Hope it works.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Ernst Dinkla on May 25, 2015, 09:47:31 am
The single feed roll spindle is all most of us who just want to mount prints would ever use.

Would not be too hard to cobble together a roll feed with about $20 of Home Depot technology.  I'm thinking plastic roll end shipping supports might supply exactly the right amount of tensioning.

Some used wide format printer spindles can be handy too. Like the Epson 9000 spindles I used for this DIY mounting film feeder. I made a dual spindle support so the laminator can be used in either direction, the laminator gets in between two tables when I roll the laminator table against another table.

Silicon wax or spray on non-silicon rollers is a remedy too on glue transfer.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
December 2014 update, 700+ inkjet media white spectral plots
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Phil Indeblanc on May 25, 2015, 12:37:53 pm
Great idea Ernst.

If you have the space, why not get a wider than 48"? That way you can feed a parent sheet without having to cut down so many times, and mount larger, or gang mount then cut?
I plan on getting the 51" Trans8 Pro. If I go do it myself.

I think they are over priced for what they are. Its not like they are some company that has been making laminating machine for the past 20-50 years, and have improved their product over the years from feedback and such. Someone you can call and say, "hey the rubber cracked!" and they send you a new part to replace. More likely a company that is fit to make the parts and assemble, fabricate, and ready to spit out a bunch of these.

The Trans8 is silicon, so it is the better material, but close to $600 is a bit more than I expected.
I think $300-400 would be fine. Lot of these companies see a gap in product penetration to consumers, and they mark up the items way up. Since a brand name one is so much more expensive. These can't cost more than $100 to put together. Look at the price of the de-curling rollers, they are a joke(almost the price of these machines), but there are those that have disposable money and just know the best marketed item is the best product, so they buy it and swear by it. Verses someone making something simple to work.

I pay $25-30 for material and labor to have my 24x36" prints mounted on 3/16" black Gator or sitreen(?).  I might have to buy the material in bulk to get better pricing on material, which may sit for a while and take up some space. So $600 plus $500 on an unknown amount bulk order(I don't know where to source the least priced Gator with shipping to west coast), and then do I get Gator with adhesive already on one side? or get the slip sheets of adhesive? So after 20-30 posters I think it might start to pay off? Learning curve errors, etc.   The biggest issue for me is working space. Sure these are rather small, but the tables you need in front and/or back working solo maybe a large footprint of space. I have it, but thinking the minimal...maybe a couple fold-able tables to prop up when in use, etc.  Let us know how you like yours when you setup and run!

Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: disneytoy on May 25, 2015, 01:29:41 pm
The Trans8 39" I just ordered says rubber roller not silicone. I'm not high volume so I may just always use a barrier paper to protect the rollers.



I negotiated with the Chinese seller and got mine for $160 shipped. Don't have my adhesive yet, still researching. I read thin is better for glossy, less orange peel.

These are such a simple machine, I cross my fingers they work well enough.

i'd love to try some facemounting. That would be cool.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Ernst Dinkla on May 25, 2015, 02:51:42 pm
Great idea Ernst.

If you have the space, why not get a wider than 48"? That way you can feed a parent sheet without having to cut down so many times, and mount larger, or gang mount then cut?
I plan on getting the 51" Trans8 Pro. If I go do it myself.



Rollers are 51" wide on my laminator. I can do the 48"-49" sheet sizes width in one go after another and cut the necessary pieces later. Bought the laminator unused but secondhand for less than $ 280 excl VAT. Try to keep the rollers in perfect condition but even when they go it has not been a bad purchase.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
December 2014 update, 700+ inkjet media white spectral plots
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: alain on June 15, 2015, 04:48:45 pm
The thicker KKDV version gives a high tack on any substrate and paper. Even some siliconised papers are hard to pull off. The thicker version is more expensive though and for a smooth gloss paper not recommended, high gloss asks for smooth mounting substrates and a thin even adhesive layer.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
December 2014 update, 700+ inkjet media white spectral plots
Hi

I ordered some smaller KKDV rolls from Zenith Art and it was a nice experience.  Now comes the difficult part : practice.
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: alain on May 01, 2017, 08:11:34 am
The thicker KKDV version gives a high tack on any substrate and paper. Even some siliconised papers are hard to pull off. The thicker version is more expensive though and for a smooth gloss paper not recommended, high gloss asks for smooth mounting substrates and a thin even adhesive layer.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
December 2014 update, 700+ inkjet media white spectral plots
Hi Ernst

Is the KKD (standard) easier to use when using foamboard with about A3 prints as the KKDV?
Will mostly be harman Gloss, aka a 300gr baryta paper.

Alain
Title: Re: manual crank laminator
Post by: Ernst Dinkla on May 02, 2017, 03:06:06 am
Hi Ernst

Is the KKD (standard) easier to use when using foamboard with about A3 prints as the KKDV?
Will mostly be harman Gloss, aka a 300gr baryta paper.

Alain

Alain,

No foamboard here, so no experience. DiBond, polystyrene, museumboard, are the substrates I use and I do not see much difference between the two Zenith materials applied to them. Harman Gloss Alpha Cellulose + smaller size prints can cope with the thinner two sided KKD.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
March 2017 update, 750+ inkjet media white spectral plots