plotter media basket

instead of spending the $625 everyone wants for a media basket for my graphtec i decided to make my own. i used some old conduit that i had laying around here. i cut the conduit into 4 ft lengths, then i used a 48" x 65" piece of black screen (your basic window or storm door type of screen) and attached each end to the conduit. nothing special. i re-enforced the screen with some black burco tape then cut slots through the tape and screen to run black tie-straps through to attach the screen to the conduit.

for the front of the plotter i used media roller mounts that came off my old roland plotter. they screwed right in to my graphtec stand. for the rear of the plotter i initially used the media rollers that came on the graphtec, but it wasn't wide enough so i used some more conduit to make my own mounts for it. ( a longer piece of the conduit on each side for mounting the front AND rear could be used....but in my case i had the roland stands already.)

not too shabby for a lowly window tinter works great. no more having a towel or plastic on the floor to keep film and vinyl clean.



the conduit i wrapped in the black burco tape just to give it a nicer look.

Nice!

Great idea. TOTW

grrrr..
i hate them darn things! they get in the way much more than they are use-full...but then i never leave my plotter unattended as its cutting..unless its vynal...it seems as its alot higher up than mine and no where as wide(from front to rear) depth either way..

good craftsmanship though!

my floor is painted and its cleaner though...lol

Blade that is a very good idea with the screen. And as far as for you Jeff if you start doing large graphics you will need something to catch the film as it will travel through back and forth through the plotter. But before you attempt large ones you need to step up your multiple piece overlaying skills as in this pic of yours I would say this would be unacceptable craftsmanship in my book I mean look at it as it is not even close to being lined up with all the uneven clear gaps and film over other film or possibly you may be in need of an eye exam as you may be in need of the use of sum spectacles as in eye glasses . I do not normally on others work but with as many pics of this thing you have floating around on here of this thing, I just had to say something about it so keep practicing.

lmao...coming from yo mikei would exspect nothing else but negativity...you will always be a hack...you fat bass...lol....still you should look at the real logo and how it has almost like a shading of white threw the logo.....this hasnt even been attatch to glass, so it unfininshed...

bye the way i roll the film up as it comes off my plotter....large graphics needs no catch diaper...lmoa

Just the other day I cut 20ft long ¼” strips 100 of them so you are telling me that you would stand there and keep rolling it up as it comes back through ???

been done before "YES I WOULD" with tint..... not vynal though

Nice Idea on the media catcher although I can get some good ones around here for less than $100... I don't use the catchers though, I put a rug in front of the plotter... Not poking when I say this, but my floor is a lot cleaner than yours in the pic. I never really got the hang of using a catcher ... never had a problem with it running onto the rug i've got on concrete.

i know the floor looks bad in the pic but it's actually pretty clean. it was painted years ago and through the years the paint has lifted. that's not dirt on the floor it's spots where the paint has come up.

as far as the basket.....i've never had one so i don't know how i'll like it. it might turn out to be a pain in the azz. i just don't know until i use it more. i don't monitor my plotter when it's cutting. i'm doing other things....like pulling panels or prepping signboard, or layering other vinyl, or pulling up other artwork in the plot-window for cutting. i'm not about to stand there and roll up film or vinyl that's coming off the plotter.

and for you, jeff, to call mike a hack is out of line. he's proven himself many times here to be an experienced window film installer. you jealous or something? maybe you need to call sarah up and have her stroke your ego a little bit. i'm tempted to go back and edit your post to something more appropriate.

Thanks Blade sorry for messing up your thread .after I read Jeff’s reply to your screen idea it some how made me think of that gator head thing he has been showing it everywhere on hear so I just had to say something. And keep us posted on how the screen works for you.

I like it...

Yeah I never monitor mine either... large "text" signs cut just fine, long pin stripes I generally just slow the machine down... I do tend to keep an eye on those though. text its wide open

you guys are cool with me...but seem a little closer than should....i spoke from the 9 years ive used my plotter and yea i dont like them...yours looks way to close/tall...hopefully it works for you? and yea paint your floor again, since your so good at tinting and making signs. you should be able to paint your floor every other year with all the money you make? and your would never have to here that it looks like shiat!

you are implying that i actually give a shiat what you or anyone thinks though.

not at all or how slick would want it said "NOT AT ALL"

I like that stand dude. I never hang by my plotter. Even when I am by it I don't watch it. Its 15 years old so If It has an ''accident'' thats OK. Not ready to put it in the Old Plotter's Retirement Home just yet. (when the time comes i'll send it to Florida, I hear all the old cutters like it there).

That's a great idea Blade! We need one of those here at the shop and i'm gonna give that a try! That's a great money saver too! How long have you had that on there? Does it seem to hold up pretty well?

i've only had it there since friday morning. i posted pics right after i finished it. it's sturdy as hell. seems like it should hold up just fine.

Ace Idea

Great idea I think ill try it.