Worn Roller Cores and Uneven Inking

Hi,

My wife and I have been struggling to get all three of the rollers on our New Style C&P 12x18 press to an even and consistent inking height.

Upon close examination, it appears that one of our rollers (the one that we typically attach to the bottom saddles) appears to be quite worn at the ends of the core (see picture below). Is this kind of wear normal and how likely is it to cause inking problems?

On a related note, we have noticed that all of our rollers appear to be slightly higher in the middle than on the ends (by as much as 1/16 of an inch). Is this common and - if so - is there any way to adjust for it?

Doug

image: rollercore.jpg

rollercore.jpg

Log in to reply   3 replies so far

Slightly technical, but not too bad, examine closely the very ends of your stocks IF thay are completely flush at the ends, with NO tiny concave recesses, they are probably originals that have been recovered, in the past, >> hence it gets more complicated,
If however they have the concave recesses at each end it is comparatively simple to turn them down to the L.C.D. (lowest common denominator) and *sleeve* them back to the original dimension, (i.e. to fit, with working clearance the hooks!!) If your hooks are brass, We here U.K.would *sleeve* with machinable steel stock!! if the hooks are steel and the yokes are worn also, we would use brass as sleeves, i.e. 2 dis-simalar metals, always best for longevity.? and probably original.
Sounds complicated, but any Engineer of just average competance, with just a simple lathe, would/should find it a doddle.
N.B. (the technical bit) the core/stock would have to be mounted between centres via the concave recess,s, consequently losing the ability to turn/rotate it, but that just means, the stock has to be turned using a driving *Dog* exactly the same as turning the Commutator on an electric motor, first exercise for a learner engineer.??
Perhaps look up/Google .*Lathe Drive Dog* or talk to a trusted engineer. Good Luck.

I would say mount the worn-core roller in the single saddle. If your trucks are good this core wear shouldn’t be much of a factor—if a factor at all.

The roller variance will be an issue though. Are these new rollers? Rubber, I assume?

Brad.

If end of the rollers are the size of the trucks and the centers are larger, there would be room to have the rollers ground down to a uniform size—provided they are rubber (not sure polyureathane rollers can be ground). If the shoulder where the trucks ride is not worn, then the rollers should be OK if the trucks ride concentric with the roller (quickly determined by roller on a surface with a strong back light.