8 x 12 C+P users manual (OS)

Hi there. I’ve been searching high and low for a users guide for my new 8 x 12 C+P old style press.

I have experience with my Pilot presses but I’ve never printed with the treadle and am very anxious to get started. It’s been cleaned and oiled and begging for me to pull a print. But I’m too intimidated to start without knowing exactly what I’m doing.

Also, it has a double ink-disc and I’m not sure if any special care must be taken because of that.

Any thoughts on where I can find a manual?

Julie

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Go to David Rose’s introduction to letterpress page: http://www.fiveroses.org/intro.htm and get one or more of the books listed there. Cleeton, Polk and/or Mills. Cleeton’s book was recently reprinted but all should be available used. Also The Boxcar Press web site http://www.boxcarpress.com (under You -> Press manuals) will supply a detailed drawing and parts list for the NS press. If you have an OS press there aren’t very many differences and the Parts List is still very useful.

I don’t think that C&P made one, but the George J. Mills book Platen Press Operation is a great reference. Originals can be bought from abebooks.com and a pretty nice new soft cover version can be obtained from NA Graphics.
Check the Boxcar Press site for the oiling diagrams. I’m not yet familiar with their new layout, but I am sure they are still there somewhere.

Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY