Category: General discussion
Later topic: Which rubber for casting ink rollers?
Earlier topic: New Here...Hello to all..

Making / Casting Ink Rollers Project.. Any Advice..?

I have a Damon & Peets 6x10 letterpress as well as a Kelsey 5x8 tabletop letterpress. Both need ink rollers. I am thinking of trying to cast my own.

I will be making a mold utalizing copper pipe with smooth walls and precision end caps made on a CNC milling machine to hold the rods in place. I would like to use a 2 part Rubber to make the rollers. I would appreciate any advice regarding this project, such as rubber hardness etc, type of rubber to use etc…

I would like to use both lead type and poly plates when printing.
Thanks
Mike

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  • inky
  • on 24 Jul 12 (13:02)

Look in the archives for Gummy Bear rollers. They should be fun to make.
My guess is that any attempt to cast rubber or anything else in a closed tube will be difficult. The stuff will stick in the tube. A coating of cooking spray should lessen the problem, but may not eliminate it. I suggest a small test before you go for the whole roller.
28-30 Durometer is about right for the hardness (softness in your case).