To make or to buy shirt boards

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

I acquired a older 4 color 4 station press from a friend. All of the boards are very badly warped. I was thinking about making my own but don't know if it is worth it with installing the laminate top. I was wondering what everyone else does.

Do you just buy new boards as you need them or do you make your own?

If you make your own do you just use a piece of mdf or better?

Do you put a laminate top on the wood or is it unnecessary?

Thanks in advance for your guy help and suggestions.

 

[AF]

I haven't done screen in 20 years but I would just make them for a fun weekend project. MDX and laminate with gator backer should be quite stable.

 

[Dennis422]

There used to be a guy from Seattle that was making them for $15/piece. Up to 20" long and 16" wide for that price.
Unfortunately, he closed up

I did try getting some from eBay, they were not that bad. My suggestion would be to go with Aluminum ones. Pricey but worth it.
I do not know how much would laminate cost, but I would think that for the pricing you can find online, making your own would not be an option.
Materials and time, probably cheaper and easier to order.

Good luck. If you have any questions abou SP, let me know.

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

I haven't done screen in 20 years but I would just make them for a fun weekend project. MDX and laminate with gator backer should be quite stable.

MDX? The gator backer looks good.

$15 Where is he.

 

[D2S]

I used to make my own, until I got aluminum platens the best thing I have ever done, and you never need to replace again.

 

[d fleming]

Actionengineering.com. Premade alum for your machine. Buy once and done

 

[tadisch treehouse]

inexpensive platens

you can make them from counter top cut offs or the cut out from where the sinks are inset, stop by a cabinet shop and they need to get rid of the cutoffs anyway, then layout and copy the old platen , use the old hardware and do a clear coat sealer on the bottom side. The flash cure seems to warp the platens over time. Good Luck .