Deserted Island Mounting Press?

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Chelvis

Grumbler
Joined
Jun 8, 2000
Posts
34
Loc
Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA
Greetings! I'm a newbie and love the discourse. Here's my situation. I've been a framer for eight years (one year apprentice, seven solo) at a small but high-end art gallery. I've never had occasion to use any type of mounting press (we do mostly Old Master etchings, engravings, etc., Modern stone lithos, Animation Art). I'm building a home workshop and am in the process of procuring equipment. I know that I will be getting a lot of jobs from a professional photographer. Space is not a problem. What kind is the most practical to start with. I need something that can handle many types/ sizes. Dry, wet, vaccuum? I would greatly appreciate any assistance.
 
Get a 25 x 25 hardbed press. It will do up to about 50 inches wide by what ever length will fit in your shop. Set it up well with a big table beside it flush with the bottom bed so handling jobs is easy. Get a drymount tissue that works at 160 to 180 degrees not the tissues that call for above 200 degrees as they hurt photos. Learn to mount in sections without making lines in the print. Learn to tack so that both tacks are in the press in the first squeeze to avoid wrinkles. Get into matte laminating as it makes money. Find an expert to teach you if possible. I have had my 25-25 for 20 years and I could make my living with it alone. I also have a bigger vac press but I often go back to the hardbed.

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162,000 Frames
 
Chelvis, I'd recommend the Seal commercial mechanical press, it's versatile, takes up little space, and can handle pieces up to 48X96.

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Seth J. Bogdanove, CPF
 
I would take a look at the Seal 500TX dry mounting press.
It has a larger heated platen (24x36") than the Drytac press that Scarfinger mentioned. It can therefore handle mounting anything up to and including a 4x8' sheet of foamboard.
Your downward pressure is easily set once on the Seal press and does have to be closely watched every time you open and close the press.
The Seal press is also classified as a soft bed press. A sponge pad is located on the bottom of the press which allows some "give" as you close the press so that items are not crushed, squished etc. as they could be with a hardbed press. I've used both presses and I wouldn't trade my Seal press for anything else on the market!
There are a number of drymounting tissues on the market, some work better than others for photos ... check with your local supplier. As well, as Scarfinger mentioned, don't overlook offering a laminating service with whatever press you choose. There's money to be made in them thar hills!
 
Believe it or not - the Drytac 25 x 25 press can handle 58 inches wide by what ever length will fit in your shop. Ours has a 4 foot table on each side even with the bottom bed which makes the big stuff easy. The Drytac also has a sponge pad on the carrier board and opens wide for a sponge on top if suitable. Pressure is easily adjusted by turning the big wheel as hard (or not) as you want.
 
One more point:
There's nothing like co-operation between a group of folks in the same business. We have a group of 4 including our frame shop and 3 photographers. Between us we have 3 Drytacs, 2 Seal vac press, and 2 cold mount/ laminators. Together we can mount just about anything.
 
Would love to know more about the laminating aspects you have mentioned. What type of laminating material do you use? Is it done on both sides and how do you trim. Have tried doing one side, but am wondering if it is possible to get the results you see on say menues, etc. Thanks.

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Cody
 
I am getting a prototype of a roller laminator, both one sided and two sided, to play with. It also does mounting adhesive. I am looking for projects to try to make it pay its way. If it works well it will be available commercially.
 
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