A GUIDE TO ASSEMBLING A RILEY HOPKINS 150 PRESS

by Sage Larson
a riley hopkins 150 screen printing press with screens in the clamps

You’re ready to shift your shop into first gear with your new Riley Hopkins 150 screen printing press. To get your press up and running, it needs to be assembled. Follow along with the assembly video and/or follow the instructions so you can start printing in no time.

TOOLS NEEDED FOR ASSEMBLY

The package will arrive with all the press parts, bolts, and screws needed for assembly. You will need the following tools to complete assembling the press:

  • Two 9/16” wrenches
  • Two ½” wrenches
  • One Phillips screwdriver
  • Tape measure or ruler

Got your tools? Let’s get this press up and running. 
press parts on a cart

STEP 1: ATTACH MOUNTING FEET

With the ½” wrench, attach the mounting feet to the main base assembly.

base of press on a cart

STEP 2: MOUNT THE BASE

Mount the base of the press to a tabletop surface. Press carts, tables, and wooden countertops all work well. For maximum platen adjustability, place the front foot no more than three inches away from the edge. You will need the Phillps head screwdriver for this step.

person drilling in the base of the press onto a cart

STEP 3: GATE HARDWARE

To install the gate hardware, you will need two 9/16” wrenches. Set the center bolt 2.5 inches from the top bolt to the top of the base. Lock the jam nut to keep it in place. Do not fully tighten the nylon side registration bolts at this time.

roller gates on a 150 press

STEP 4: HINGE HARDWARE

With the same two 9/16” wrenches, install the hinge hardware in the center of the three hinge pocket hole locations. Tighten the hardware to the point where there’s some resistance, but they can still move up and down within the hinge pocket.

hand bolting on an arm on a 150 press

STEP 5: ATTACH COLOR ARMS

Attach the color arm spring plate to the color armbar by using the two ½” wrenches. Make sure the spring plate is square with the color arm bar before the final tightening. If you’re assembling a 150 4x1 press, repeat steps 5-15 for the rest of the color arms.

press arm

STEP 6: LOWER THE PIVOT BOLT

Install the lower pivot bolt into the off-contact brackets and the color arm lower hole. Do not fully tighten the hardware. 

arm in press gates

STEP 7: UPPER OFF-CONTACT

Install the upper off-contact bolt and retaining clip. You may have to rotate the lower bolt previously installed to fully seat the clip to the off-contact bracket. One 9/16” wrench is needed at this step.

hand holding press arm drilling in a piece

STEP 8: OFF-CONTACT BRACKETS

Install the off-contact bracket bolts into the screen clamp. Use one 9/16” wrench to fully tighten the hardware.

STEP 9: ATTACH SCREEN CLAMP

Attach the screen clamp onto the slotted off-contact brackets with one 9/16” wrench. 

hands putting on the screen clamp on a press

STEP 10: SCREEN CLAMP KNOBS

Install the screen clamp knobs into the screen clamp. The knob stud shouldn’t protrude beyond the lower clamping conical washer. Lock the nuts together in opposing directions using two 9/16” wrenches to fix the clamping nuts to the stud. 

hand installing clamp knobs

STEP 11: PRINTHEAD LIFTING SPRINGS

Install the printhead lifting springs. The hooks must be facing upward. Once the hooks are both installed, pull the printhead assembly down into the registration gate. Proceed with caution, there may be an extreme force.

springs on a press arm

STEP 12: UPPER BUMPER BOLT ASSEMBLY

Install the upper bumper bolt assembly and rubber stop. Do not overtighten: lightly snug the nut into the hinging pocket. Use the two 9/16” wrenches at this step. Proceed with caution due to pinch points.

hand installing safety bumper on press

STEP 13: LOWER THE SAFETY STOP BOLT

Install the lower safety stop bolt hardware with two 9/16” wrenches. Install the printhead in the up position. Do not overtighten: lightly snug the nut into the hinging pocket.

STEP 14: PLATEN ASSEMBLY

Install the platen assembly to the station arm. Loosen the knobs before installation. The platen assembly is adjustable front to back to allow the printer to set the desired image placement on the garment. 

person putting a platen on a press

STEP 15: SCREEN SETUP

Lock the screen in place with the screen clamp knobs. Loosen the off-contact nuts with a 9/16” wrench. Set the desired off-contact position and retighten the nuts. Set the tilt angle of the screen by loosening the tilt locking nuts. Fully lock down the tilt hardware to avoid movement during printing. 

Your screen printing press is ready for production. Hit the gas and get printing.

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