Peerless No.2 (Cropper)
Hi all,
I’ve been a long-time lurker to briar press and have learnt so much from all of your knowledge. I have grown as an amateur printer over the years with a couple of Adana table-top presses and have got some lovely work from them. A requirement for a larger print area has led me to tracking down and purchasing an 11x7 Peerless no.2 here in the UK (made by Cropper in Nottingham)
As you can imagine, I’m rather excited by my acquisition and want to get printing right away. It has (as learnt from previous postings) everything important, I think, in order to work- rollers, runners, treadle, chase etc… It all moves freely and smooth and seems well oiled.
Now, to my problem… I’m having a slight bit of trouble getting the press to complete a full cycle. As the rollers reach the top of the chase, just before moving up onto the ink plate, they come to a halt as if something is jammed.
Having never used this particular machine before I wondered if there was a lever, brake, or specific part that i have missed that would be causing this to happen. I don’t want to force anything (hopefully something simple).
The press is in transit now so I can’t fiddle with it to find the solution, so I wondered if anyone had any knowledge with this particular press that might be able to shed some light on my lovely little machine.
Thanks folks.
Richard
As the rollers pass across the top of the chase and start to go onto the ink disc the roller springs are compressed to their maximum tension and this will cause the press to slow down at that point unless you are treadling continuously and fast enough for the flywheel to carry it through the hesitation. Many presses I have used have this characteristic and unless there is something else wrong (which you should check for) it is a normal action.
Bob
As Bob pointed out, when the rollers go over the shoulder or knuckle at the top of the rails, the springs are at the maximum tension and cause resistance. To check to insure there is no other problem, remove the rollers and cycle the press. Should be smooth motion. While rollers are off, pull saddles up to check spring tension. It should be even on both sides. Do also oil the pistons to which the saddles are connected.
Hi Bob/Inky,
Thanks for your help - I thought it would be the cse too. It turns out a locking pin had been missing and the bar that it was meant to hold in place had slipped, causing the stoppage. All is fixed and the press is now running smoothly. Thanks again for your help!
Richard