C&P pilot Platen seems off. Tighten the bolts?

The four bolts on the platen seem tricky to adjust. Any suggestions? Do I loosen all the way and then back up to the correct placement? The bottom of the platen seems to hit first keeping the top half away from any type. I just got this press and am figuring things out.

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You must first loosen the large lock nut before you can make an adjustment. Are you certain that they need adjustment? You might want to order John Falstrom’s platen leveling tool.

How much packing do you have on the platen?

DGM

Is the Pilot an O.S. or Improved (N.S.)? They are quite different and use unique leveling screws.

Tom
tandtpressrestoration.com

it seems like the bolts have a reverse thread inside the platen and then normal thread. one may have broken off in there i think i have a bit of a problem.

i dont think there is a lock nut. just four bolts that go into the platen. tricky.

looked it up. its an O.S..

I’m pretty sure on the OS, you’ll want to loosen the outer nuts, and adjust the inner bolt that’s sandwiched.

Tighten (clockwise) will pull the platen away from the bed, and loosen (counterclockwise) will push the platen closer to the bed. Only adjust about an 1/8th turn at a time, lock the nut, and test. It only take small adjustments to set it right.

Let us see a picture of it, might make it easier to troubleshoot. Good luck!

EK

http://simplyletterpressed.com

The impression screw minor diameter is a L/H thread, the larger diameter is a R/H thread. If your press doesn’t have jam nuts to lock the position of the screw following adjustment, it ought to. Be that as it may… turning an O.S. Pilot impression screw (due to the L/H thread that penetrates the platen) will move the platen. This must be done in one flat increments or the platen will be bound up. You must find the sweet spot taking into account all 4 screws. It also helps to liberally oil the threads of each impression screw as corrosion will bring drag. If in fact one of the screws is broken the entire platen must be removed in order for the one screw to be replaced. This would be a great time to install the jam nuts. We have impression screws and jam nuts for the Pilot press in stock. If you need help removing the platen I can provide instructions off line.
Tom
tandtpressrestoration.com
[email protected]

sounds like a plan ink spot. i’ll oil the bolts and remove the platen to take a look. maybe post a picture. i may be ordering a few things from you soon. im getting new rollers for it next week and hopefully i can get this problem solved also.

does anyone know any machine type shop that might repair a c&p in Los Angeles?

the bottom two bolts came right out…seem broken. top two are real tight and i dont want to force anything.

is it righty tighty haahahahaha? these dual threaded bolts are weird.

got the platen off just fine. two of the bolts (bottom two) are broken. anyone know a source for getting replacements for these?

Tom from T&T Restoration who has commented above can most likely get you every part you need for your Pilot. I second the suggestion of getting the platen leveling tool for when you reattach the platen. I bought one for restoring two rusty old Pilots and it’s really useful, especially if you’ll be putting new bolts on. Have a friend hold the tool while you tighten, though. I have no idea how to level a platen alone. :P