The Framers Forum

I too have a HGP-360 Hot press and use it nearly ever day.

With just a small problem a few weeks ago it is all systems go.

Would not be without it.

John & Ormond I too don't like MDF used, you only have to walk into a shop that sells MDF based framing and you are taken back by the smell (formaldehyde). I know though that Dry Mount Tissue or Film is a barrier to moisture and this is the reason for the non destruction of johns Images in his b...

I too cannot see any reason for doing any of these tests. The main critic of your work is your customer for without customers you have no critics, these tests are expensive, takes you from your work and then what? If you pass what happens next? If you fail what happens then? Probably the answer to b...

I am also a Photographer. When I do these usually use a 16x24" Image with around 80mm of matt around the image. Correct I use a very smooth matt and sometimes the brides use a Gel Ink pen which dries pretty quick and look good on a Dark green Matt if it is gold ink or even silver ink. I put the...

Hi johnny Here is a suggestion for you. Purchase an accounting software package that can handle Items. Then ask your moulding suppliers to provide you with theire moulding prices in csv format. You can use these tables in any good accounting package. Not only can this handle pricing but your account...

Hi Brian You say you have an Accounting Package? If so which one? Why cant you use your accounting package to do the job you want? Most framing companies will supply csv files of both mouldings and mattboards as well as everthing else that they sell. if you manually put some items into your accounti...

I use MYOB as it \is accounting software and for power shut offs get yourself a UPS (Uniterruptable power supply) they are great. The reason for using an accounting package is that you can import csv files from moulding comapnies as well as add your own items such as fitting costs or labour costs fo...

Hi Steve Many thanks for all your help, yes John Bell did call me and told me of the following which may be of help to others who may experience the same with theire Hot Presses. Take the gas struts off each end so that the lid sits on the bed of the diaphram then you can see if the lid is sitting s...

Can anyone help with this problem please? I have a Hot Press HGP 360 which is about 6 years old when I first got this it had a piston pump which I replaced with a cylindical pump which made a huge difference in vacuum. The problem I am having is that the vacuum level now is too low around 4lb in lie...

I have tried this process a couple of times and it works for canavas texturising images. The steps are: 1. use gloss Heat seal film and heat seal your image RC Image I assume 2. After heat seal is finished lay image upside down on your bench an peel the backing paper off the image to leave the emuls...

How many of us framers use databases for keeping track of Mouldings and mattboards? I have tried several systems over the last two years and all don't produce the results that I need. EG. Produce a report on Mouldings that you are running short on. Produce a report on Mattboards of the same type Pro...

Hi John I use a HGP360 also and I tend to agree that the dwell time is too short. Most images if not all are from digital printers and I have found that heat sealing and dry mounting in one operation fails. Why: Well heat seal film can stand a temperate of 90degc but dry mounting onto Foam core or b...

How many of us Gunnar CMC users use genuine blades? I do and 12 or so months ago there was a short supply of these little sharp blades. Why I ask this is because a company rep came and saw me about 18months ago and had just returned from a trip to the USA where he found some larger framing companies...

Too add just a little bit more. This applies for any cmc not just a Gunnar. If you have a reliable 240volt or less supply then this does not apply to you. But if you have an unreliable 240v or less supply then read on. Something that has not been covered is the fact that even if you think you have a...

Hi Ormond Have you tried Megawood's 951BR, 951MAH, 951BLK? I have not tried these mouldings yet because my clients know that you are not restricted to 3 or 4 mouldings for a sports shirt. By using a moulding extension you can use any moulding you can think of thus utilising the stock you have instea...

My default method now for framing Sports Shirts is: 3mm Foam core inside shirt cut a little bigger to allow some stretching. Attach the shirt to the foam core with Qullters Cotton needle and some grannies knots. Inside the sleeves I put some more 3mm FC cut precisely with the aid of tracing paper in...

How many of us CMC operators back up some very important CMC data? The data I am referring to is the machine data, the little file that tells your cmc where to start cutting and where to finish both for back cuts and front cuts. I own a gunnar 601 using a windows xp operating machine not Vista as th...

I have a problem with the moulding tables used by Estlite, after a lot oif experimenting with the format of these i am still unable to get a correct answer from Estlite regarding the price calculated. The moulding tables are supplied in csv format and most moulding companies have these Estlite reads...

Hi. I am rather new to Estlite but I do like the features. I read somewhere whereby you can Import from Excel files (CSV) into Estlite. This would make the job a lot easier since all the moulding companies in Australia already have these files and will email them to you if you ask. I have most of th...