ROP UME LER This is the 2nd part of the plans to get you finished building the DIYDTG. There is no guarantee that you will have the same results as printed in these planst But this setup worked for me and is the setup in the video released with some improvements. This set of plans are a guide to help you finish the DIVDTG. They are no way set in stone and you are welcome to try other printers, materials ete. to see if you can get them to work as well. I recommend you read these first before buying materials so you will know what is envolved. Now lets Continue! Some of the Items needed to finish the project in this release: 1) Epson C88 Printer (or what ever printer you want but the plans here are ¢88) 2) | Roll of Double Sided Tape 3) Couple of wood screws 1" long 4) Some common tools (Screwdrivers, Tin Snips ete...) 5) L used a cordless drill but any drill will make things easier 6) | used a tool called a rotozip to cut the plastics but you maycan use a jigsaw 7) Some old T's to test print on 8) Patience, Patience, and more Patience!Notes On making the DIYDTG Now before taking the printer apart. Load the printer software and make sure the printer works like normal, Install the ink you will be using. ‘You can test with the epson inks that come with the printer, but [ recommend using a garment or sublimation ink for the best results. Now since we aren't using the ink pump to clean the head, you will need a syringe to pull the ink through the rubber hose if you get an dog, ‘You can use a bulk system, but that's up to you. I currently use refillable cartridges for ease and less mess. ‘You may also need to set up some cleaning cartridges to help clean the head or if you plan on not using the printer for a while, I do recommend them, so the head stays dean. ‘You will void ALL warranty with the printer! You can mess up...J went through 3 printers before getting it to work. So if you cannot afford to lose a printer, don't try this project. ‘You can modify these plans to what ever you need. I have found that even with the C88 that some of the drive shafts may be slightly different in length, So use these insturctions as a starting point, NOW let's start tearing things apart!Taking the Printer Apart A small flat head screwdriver and/or Needle Nose Pliers will be needed. Start with the “bottom tabs, Then the Back tabs, Do both sides of the printerTaking the Printe Apart Once all of the top plastic is off it will look like this: Now for the Bottom, There are screws holding the cage down here are some of the placement pictures Look for them 1 is hidden by the caping station: Unplug the Power SupplyTaking the Printer Apart This is the bottom with the cage attached to it: Now back to the cage... While you were taking aprt the bottom the pump and gears may have come off, its ok.. just don't loose any parts, We may use them Now to release the drive shafts from their position: Take the drive belt off and the screw in between the gears, Then the clip on the smaller roller: Take out Right front screw Save it, we will put it back:T; vi he Pri re A r Take off the C clip on the front roller gear and take the gear off, then carefully pull the shaft out of place along with the plastic bottom sponge: 5 | a ~~ Put the Sctew back in place which holds the cage together:Taking the Printer A Main Drive Shaft Is what is use to move the drawer. Take off the static spring. You may have to bend it's ok we don't need it anymore: | Take off the small gear on the right side along with the clip: >» 2 | Now Take the 3 top rollers off You can glue them back into place if you want for head strike protection but you really don't need them:Taking the printer apart Now take the clip off the left side and snap the shaft out of the cage: Now you can install the shaft into the drawer per the first plans. Cutting the cage with tin snips: Cut the Right Side pretty close to the edge: Cut the Left side Here:Taking the Printer A Apart Here is the cage Cut out: Take out the Head Lock Plastic piece It will not be used since we aren't using the cleaning pump: Notice the metal screw tab under the Motor Gear, You can bend break it Bs offit to make room for the belt won't be needed:Taking the printer apart Now cutting the Bottom: Remove the Ink cotton from the bottom: Now cut the bottem with the rotozip tool Into 3 Pieces - to make room for the platen. One will hold the caping station and look like this when cut Remount the caping station to the cage:Mounting the Printer The other side mounts to the Motor Side of the printer. You will need to notch out just below the motor to allow for the belt position: Now set the printer on the drawer setup, Placing the drive belt into place, Move the printer forward just enough to tighten the belt, but not too tight, Check that there is easy movement from the motor to the gear by spinning it with your hand. Now center up the printer and get it straight. Here's some pictures of my set up:Mounting the Printer After making sure the printer is centered with the drawer for printing. Screw Down the printer through the plastic using wood screws. Here is where I mounted mine: Right Side Left Side You may need to add an extra screw to the right side if your printer shakes while printing to stabilize it. Mount the Power Supply using Double back tape and plug it back to the printer board:Here is another picture of the motor'side with the power supply: Mounting the Printer Now for the Paper Sensor (The hard part): Now put a piece of double backed tape about 1" long on the paper sensor Like this: : Once you get the printer working good you will need to glue this into place with hot glue for consistancy.Geting tne rite ead to prt Do TEST RUNS First, BEFORE turning on the printer! Now put the Platen for the t-shirt on the drawer, Lining it up, now do a test run by turning the gear with your HAND to make sure the platen runs completely through the printer with no binding. Get an Idea about where the platen should be so you will know where it will run, centered through the printer. It should just touch the paper sensor and should hold it, through the complete length of the platen. Now REMOVE the platen and manualy lift up left side of the drawer and push it back into starting position. NOW place a t-shirt on the platen and place it on the drawer making sure it is centered. Like this. NOW repeat the manual test run with a shirt, making sure that the shirt doesn't touch the head and moves freely. Adjust any thing that is needed to make the system run smothly. After the test runs then move then remove the platen.a t Bn I Printing! Take the platen off the printer. While holding the left side of the drawer up just off of the drive shaft push the drawer back into the start position...continue to hold the drawer off of the shaft... NOW Turn on the printer. The motor will start running. Once it has completed its start cycle then you can set the drawer back down on the shaft. Now place a shirt on the platen and place it on the drawer. I use the 2nd platen so it will just sit on the drawer. .If you made the Ist one then you will need to add holders for the platen, using 2x2 worked for me. Now make sure it is centered to the mounting of the printer not the drawer. Now as far as lining up the start position (this is where the Patience comes into play) until you figure out what is right for your set up, it may take many times. Here is a picture of where my set up starts and works to give you an idea: ' =]PRINTING! Now start with a simple picture that you know prints ok and know what it should. look like on paper. Try different settings to get it to look the best on the shirt. I have printed using windows picture viewer and it works ck, I have also used Flexi-Sign and Photoshop (works good). What ever works best for you have at it! Play with it until you get it working consistantly. Thanks to all that have helped me and understand what it took to figure this out. I am currently working on other printers, pre-treatment of the shirts and more improvents so we can have an affordable DTG. I hope you have enjoyed building the DIYDTG and if you have any questions about this set up or any suggestions on changes to these plans, please visit our forum and let us know. T