Chase wont meet Platen

I’m trying to attach images, but for some reason I cant. What do I need if my Chase and Platen wont meet to be able to press?

thanks

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Here is a picture of my kelsey where the chase does not meet the platen. Any suggestions?

image: ChasePlaten.jpg

ChasePlaten.jpg

Chase shouldn’t meet platen. Chase should be well below form height. Form height should be .918” in the US. Can’t say more unless you explain what your press and packing and form and maybe stock are.
Pictures won’t post at BriarPress if you put characters other than simple characters and figures—punctuaton like &#! will be rejected.

When I put the printing blocks in along with my 100% cotton paper, it wont close enough to emboss the paper.

Parallel_imp is right, the chase should not meet the platen. You want your lead or wood type, which is .918 tall to meet the platen. The chase is just a frame to hold it in place.

Thank you!

If you are trying to print with the press as shown in your photo, part of your problem may be that you have not installed any tympan sheet or packing on the platen. I suggest putting one sheet of tympan paper on the platen, held on by the bales on the top and bottom edges of the platen, and one piece of red press board, and two or three sheets of bond paper cut the size of the platen behind the tympan paper. Then put one piece of something type high (a small cut or a piece of large type) in each corner of the chase and see if all four print evenly on a piece of paper held in place on the platen while you close the press all the way. Adjust the screws on the back of the platen until all four are printing nicely. Lock the screws with the nuts and then try printing your blocks.

It looks in your photo like the platen is closing to be even with the bed rails, which is where it should be to print.

Bob

Thank you Bob. One more question. Is the total hight (plus the printing blocks) supposed to equal .918? Stupid question, but is that in inches?

Without using a micrometer, you can judge .918” as just a couple hairs less than 15/16”. Any American foundry type or photoengraving will most likely be that height, but with photopolymer plates there are enough variatons of plate and base that you need a micrometer just to know what you have.

Thank you!

Hello Kenyayvonne, maybe it’s a good idea to do a basic letterpress course and find out about type height, tympan, pressure, etc.?

Seconded. Even if it requires travel out of your area.