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Step 4Building the Platen Arm and Platen:
Step 5: The platen arm is the board that extends from the table and on which a board (the platen) is placed, over which shirts are pulled and printed. First glue piece F in the exact middle of the top of the table (piece A). This can be done by drawing lines from opposite corners on piece A, (creating an X ). Now by matching the corners of board F onto the newly drawn X , youll get it in the middle (see fig. g). Do not screw it in place at this time- use glue only.
Step 6: Before continuing with the press itself, were going to build the platen. The platen featured here is for adult T-shirts, so if youre interested in printing other types of items youll need to build other platens of different sizes. This design is such that you can use the platen sideways for wide designs in addition to using it in its normal position. If that it not of interest to you, feel free to simplify the design.
Using your drill press or workbench vise and drill, create half-inch holes in the middle of the largest side of 4 of your parts W. For the remaining 4, draw a line 2 3/8 in from the end and drill the holes in the new middle (see fig. h). Then attach them onto board G as shown in fig. i. Use a 2 x 4 to help you space the wood so the platen will fit snugly onto the platen arm when its ready. Also make sure that the distance between the holes in one direction is the exact same distance as the holes going the other way (see fig. j). Youll definitely want to predrill your holes before attaching parts W or youll have problems with splitting wood.
Step 7: Now that you have a finished platen, lets use it to determine where to drill holes in your platen arm (part U). Place the platen over the part U (it should fit snuggly). The curved edge of the platen should be 3 from the end of the platen arm. Mark the holes, remove the platen, then drill half-inch holes throught the platen arm, making sure that they go straight through. You may also want to drill a second set of holes 2 1/4 further in (to the left if looking at fig. k) for greater flexibility when printing.
Step 8: Now that the holes are drilled in the platen arm, lets attach it to the table. Use your two carriage bolts with the appropriate washers and hex nuts to attach it and add four screws for added stability. See fig. l for placement. The dotted lines indicate where to measure to insure your platen arm is straight (before securing). Attach part V as shown in fig. m so its centered in the middle of part U. Make sure the screws go into the table AND the platen arm.
Step 6: Before continuing with the press itself, were going to build the platen. The platen featured here is for adult T-shirts, so if youre interested in printing other types of items youll need to build other platens of different sizes. This design is such that you can use the platen sideways for wide designs in addition to using it in its normal position. If that it not of interest to you, feel free to simplify the design.
Using your drill press or workbench vise and drill, create half-inch holes in the middle of the largest side of 4 of your parts W. For the remaining 4, draw a line 2 3/8 in from the end and drill the holes in the new middle (see fig. h). Then attach them onto board G as shown in fig. i. Use a 2 x 4 to help you space the wood so the platen will fit snugly onto the platen arm when its ready. Also make sure that the distance between the holes in one direction is the exact same distance as the holes going the other way (see fig. j). Youll definitely want to predrill your holes before attaching parts W or youll have problems with splitting wood.
Step 7: Now that you have a finished platen, lets use it to determine where to drill holes in your platen arm (part U). Place the platen over the part U (it should fit snuggly). The curved edge of the platen should be 3 from the end of the platen arm. Mark the holes, remove the platen, then drill half-inch holes throught the platen arm, making sure that they go straight through. You may also want to drill a second set of holes 2 1/4 further in (to the left if looking at fig. k) for greater flexibility when printing.
Step 8: Now that the holes are drilled in the platen arm, lets attach it to the table. Use your two carriage bolts with the appropriate washers and hex nuts to attach it and add four screws for added stability. See fig. l for placement. The dotted lines indicate where to measure to insure your platen arm is straight (before securing). Attach part V as shown in fig. m so its centered in the middle of part U. Make sure the screws go into the table AND the platen arm.
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