Question about dry mount press

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Newlyframed

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Jan 15, 2008
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I purchased a used "Seal Masterpiece 360 M" dry mount press. It did not come with an owners manual. Does anyone know how long I should leave a print in it and what temperature it should be set on? Thank for any help I can get!
Newlyframed
 
Depends on what type of print
Depends on what mounting medium you are using.
Tec mount, heat activated foam core, archival heat activated each should have a tec sheet with it.
Don't try to guess temp and dwell time
 
Stop. Do not pass GO. Go directly to the PPFA bookstore (or any other vendor that carries it) and buy Chris Pashke's book on mounting.

http://services.pmai.org/online/core/orders/product.aspx?catid=7&prodid=318

Seriously, how can you own a piece of equipment and not know everything about it before you try it (especially on customer's art)?

Since it is "used" you need to be wary of a few things:

PLEASE invest in some temperature test strips to confirm that your thermostat is accurate. How can you be sure that you are using the proper temperature if you have not confirmed that the dial is calibrated? That you have all of the heating coils working and that there are not cold spots on the platten?

Please check the condition of the sponge pad. It is the usually the first thing to wear out and you will get uneven pressure (usually the edges will bond first as the center wears out). A symptom of this is bubbles in the middle of the piece.

What are you mounting to? 3/16" fome core is thicker than s or x board. Gator is more resilient than foam, even though it is the same thickness. You need to confirm that the pressure adjustment is set properly and that the 1/4" masonite "laminating" board has not been "stored" under the foam pad.

Come to the WCAF or the PPFA Convention and take a mounting class! There are many variables as a prior post mentioned- what you are mounting, what you are mounting to, what you are mounting with!
 
Thanks for all your help! I do volume framing. I don't do custom framing. I'm just practicing with this dry mount press to see how it works. Normally I'm using 3/16" foam core with an inexpensive print. I'll make sure I have it working right before I try anything of value. Thanks again for all the info!!!
Newlyframed
 
Newlyframed said:
...Normally I'm using 3/16" foam core with an inexpensive print. I'll make sure I have it working right before I try anything of value.
Click to expand...

Use it on that inexpensive print and be happy.

Please don't permanently mount anything of value. First, there is an element of risk in dry mounting, and if anything goes wrong with it now or later, you are responsible. Second, permanent changes such as dry mounting would reduce collectible value.
 
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