If you met Tom or I at any shows, we are wearing our nice Hanes Nano hoodies that have “KNOW-IT-ALL” emblazoned across the chest.
i·ro·ny1
ˈīrənē/
noun
noun: irony
1. the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effects
2. state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result
Since we also have Magic 8 Balls at the show, I hope the irony is not lost on you.
I do know a lot about screenprinting, and some of it is even correct. I also know enough that I know the cliche is true, I know enough to know how much I don’t know.
Some of my extreme positions need a little softening, (like the corners of a roller frame…)
I’ve always said that you should use your squeegee, then turn it around and then throw it out. I think I’m not so far off, having seen people sharpen a two inch blade down to 1 inch, seen crooked cuts, and seen squeegees being used that are months past their actual usefulness. However, a little balance is in order.
I saw Andy Anderson recently and his work speaks for his depth of knowledge. He just puts a little edge on his squeegees when they dull. He does it carefully and he doesn’t keep sharpening past when you are altering the size and durometer of the squeegee.
I’m getting a sharpener and it will be a good one
…but I’m not going to overdo it.
Here is one of Andy’s prints, many of his awards, and him reaching for a squeegee that needed a little edge put back on it.
The spring rate of the blade changes as you shorten it, which makes durometer less important as a characteristic.
Removing 10% of the blade doubles the spring rate. With each blade unique and different, setup times are longer.