Where are the 42 Em machine?

I worked in a few small shops south of Boston, I only knew of one shop near me that had a 42 pica machine. Had heard of a few shops in Boston that had them, I only worked 9 years running linotypes but never saw the 42 pica machine.

Dick:

I set on one 42 em machine once. It was a test to if I could work there, the test was to set a full pages of text 42 ems and only have no more than 5 errors.

Talking about typing and typing, before the end of the lines comes up.

But, once all the shop closed, you never see anyone talk about these machines. I guess you could change out the mold disk?

I’ve seen one of each brand scrapped here in California, and hope Jim Daggs still has his 42-em Intertype in operation in Iowa.
I’ve spent more time and money setting up a free Linotype than I will ever make back on it, and no regrets about it. Making up a form of my own slugs is so much more satisfying than mounting a plate for a designer. But this is not a justifiable business attitiude, and that’s why bean-counters (today more as likely to be executors than accountants) say scrap the hot metal.
I’ll add, you scrappers, save the blank mats, the ems ens and thins. Someday soon, somebody will be able to cut new characters, but the dozens of operations involved in cutting the ears and teeth are just too much extra work.

Would love to find the equipment to make new mats.

Aaron, I wonder if any of that stuff has survived, making mats today would cost plenty.

I have and operate a late model 42 em Intertype. Unfortunately it has a gas pot; would much prefer an electric pot, but one takes what is available. Years ago I worked for the company which purchased this machine new. It is a 1960’s era machine with all the bells and whistles. It is a great machine.
John Finch

I know a fellow here in Houston, that turned his gas machine into an electric for less than $50 in parts.