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I took a printmaking class and, after the experience, I just knew that I had to have a printing press of my own. After much research, I decided that a platen press would work for me at home, and I started my shopping. The press I wanted was beautiful but it was expensive and the cost of shipping would double the price, so I made one.
From a photograph in a catalog that I can no longer locate, I drafted plans to build. If I can find my original sketches, I will post them.
I did not know about instructables at the time and failed to photograph the process so much of this instructable is based on photos of the finished project, explanations and diagrams. And while I rarely use my press, the reward of drafting plans and executing them give me great satisfaction and pride.
From a photograph in a catalog that I can no longer locate, I drafted plans to build. If I can find my original sketches, I will post them.
I did not know about instructables at the time and failed to photograph the process so much of this instructable is based on photos of the finished project, explanations and diagrams. And while I rarely use my press, the reward of drafting plans and executing them give me great satisfaction and pride.
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Signing UpStep 1Tools and Materials
Tools
2” Maple
1” Maple
The following may be found at Marine Hardware stores
- Table Saw http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00922114000P?keyword=table+saw&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=L1
- Radial Arm Saw http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00922010000P?keyword=radial+arm+saw&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=L1
- Band Saw http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00921431000P?vName=Power+Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Power+Tools&keyword=band+saw&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=L2
- Heavy Duty Drill or Drill Press (needs to be able to drill through 4 inches of maple) http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00922902000P?keyword=drill&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=L2
- Dremel or rotary tool
- Drill bits and rotary tool bits
- Sandpaper
- Sander http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00925927000P
- Socket Wrench http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00946304000P?keyword=socket+wrench&prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=L8
- Chisel http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00936853000P?keyword=chisel%27&prdNo=9&blockNo=9&blockType=L9
- Square
- Straight edge
- Measuring tape
- Level
- Many Clamps
- Optional 2 concrete masonry units (8 x 8 x 16 would be good)
- Paint brushes or rollers
- scrap cardboard or thin pieces of wood
- larger pieces of cardboard or a blanket for padding to prevent scratching the wood
Materials and Supplies
- 6 Ton Hydraulic Jack (Bottle Jack) http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00950282000P?vName=Power+Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Equipment&sName=Mechanics+Equipment&keyword=hydraulic+jack&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=L2
Wood
- Note: With hardwoods, generally, there is one finished side and one raw side.
2” Maple
- 6 inch wide – 9 ft
- 5 inch wide – 9 ft
- 4 inch wide – 8 ft
1” Maple
- 6 inch wide – 9.5 ft
1” Birch Plywood
- enough to cut four 18” x 22” rectangles
Hardware (I used all Stainless Steel hardware)
- Two 42 inch (3.5 ft), 3/4” diameter Stainless Steel Rods (to be threaded at a machine shop)
- Bottle Jack Guide (to be fabricated at a machine shop)
- 8 Washers and 8 Nuts to fit threaded Rods
- 9 - 1/2 inch diameter, 4 inch long Lag Bolts & Nuts
- 12 wood screws
- Two-part Wood Adhesive
- Lacquer or wood sealer
The following may be found at Marine Hardware stores
- 2 Snap Hooks
- 2 Swivels
- 4 Pad Eyes
Make sure you work on a level surface.
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1. How much did it cost, approximately?
2. Do you think you could use it for finely etched copper plates (the traditional intaglio printing process)? It doesn't look like it would work, but the pressure sounds like it might be enough..... thoughts?
In theory, it should do fine with intaglio, but I am not sure that the pressure across the platen is even enough. Perhaps if, after the first press, you rotated your printing sandwich, and then again and again, it would turn out. Can't be sure.
When I retire (ha!), I would like to learn how to weld.
When pressing, I lift the jack as far as I can, using my full weight and strength and I am not a tiny person (I'm not that big either). I'm sure I'm not using the full 6 tons of weight. I'm not sure what difference a 2 ton jack would make. The wood is holding up very well.
I used the press for drying tree fern fronds and some of the stipe pieces were about 2-1/2 inches thick to begin with and ended up being about 1 inch thick and very very hard. My husband, a big guy, helped me with the jack then and I had to stop him from lifting the jack too much because the stipes were being crushed and damaged.
Other than the different types of ink printing and pressing plants, it can be adapted to press foods (coconut for haupia, guava for jam, molds (I was thinking of making ceramic tiles, but might make a different type of machine for that).
What else did you have in mind? I would be very interested.
Thank you for your comment! It is much appreciated.
Old Franklin presses had a threaded screw for pressure and it raised platen by turning screw backwards. Again this press is extra AWESOME. Old Printer
Old Printer? got to get going again! Thank you for your comments.
thanks so much for the kind comments!