Albion press missing platen and bed

I suppose if you got lucky you might find one somewhere with a broken frame that still has its platen and bed, but they would probably be a different size than this press’s originals. The main problem is the platen with its very specific socket for the toggle. In theory you could make both a platen and bed for this press from a couple of 14x22 or thereabouts platen jobber platens that have been scrapped, but you would have to arrange the slides for the bed rails as well as the support and toggle mechanism for the platen. Seems like there might be another more complete one around. The $400+ seems a lot for scrap iron, which is about all it is.

Another possibility, if you weren’t anxious to restore it to pristine condition but just to print with it, would be to fabricate a platen and bed of wood, the platen half size and faced with a sheet of iron or brass and the bed lined, as were the old common presses, with a thick slab of iron or stone. Since the toggle mechanism and the bed rails are there, it should be possible to thus rig up a working press.

Bob

I highly doubt that you would be able to adapt any press parts other than those designed for the press. It would be miraculous to find another press that could be parted out with the parts that you need. That said, you might be able to fill the inside straight and find the parts needed, but it is a real gamble. Without the parts the press is worthless but ought to be saved nonetheless. Should you do it? That can only be answered by you.

2 possible/potential lines of enquiry for information:- 1st.
In the Northern Hemisphere, Patrick Goossens, located in Antwewp, Belgium has the Biggest collection of *Common Press,s* (we understand) in Europe, inc. Albions.
Very busy Gentleman, but also very helpful, for info.

2nd possibility, Jeremy W********, frequent contributor and contacted through, Briar Press, normal channels.

His Profile/Handle on B. P. is (ALBION PRESS) or possibly contacted through, A. M. R. Antique Machinery Removals, U.K. possibly out of date, Apologies.

Jez, @ Albion Press, is a goldmine for info re, Albions, and more, whereabouts of parts (or lack of) and options for resurrection, Or not.? *He Da Man* if anybody. Good Luck.

hmm-some 5-6 years ago where I worked we sold an Albion I believe was a Hopkinson Cope for parts to Jez, as the staple was broken, perhaps he still has it………….H F Rochat in Uk sell a new albion press they have redesigned, but whether they would sell a part just in case it might not fit could be a gamble but you would need lots of correspondance to check it.

Shall I throw my cap in the ring then!
Jonathan, yup I did take broken Albion (in fact I’ve had a few), the trouble is that all the Albions are hand made and even trying to swap pieces from the same sized presses usually ends up in a lot of making good and refinishing.
I could never leave an Albion and have recommissioned some complete basket cases that others would have left well alone.
As for PG in Belgium, I can state he has many Iron Presses Mick but not many Common (wooden presses) a misnomer I guess.
I had a look at the pics in New Zealand and this is a press I would leave alone. Not only is the platen and bed missing I suspect the chill wedge, all the pins and other parts have gone astray too.
Whilst all these things are machinable by any competent engineering shop it all takes time and £ or $$$.
It would be possible to get a pattern maker to make up what you need from originals and then get them cast again £ / $$.
Once the parts are cast they would need machining then you would need to make the brackets to hold the straps on, a tympan and frisket. Then a counterweight for the tympan, all four corners for the bed, the tympan hinge and stops.
Then you would need to machine the 4 bolts and nuts and packing for the tympan.
To do all of this (without your time) would be getting towards £3000 and up. Now a reasonable complete secondhand Albion can be had for that sort of cash.
It would take a madman to take it on, but then there’s a lot of us on this site that would !!!
Another thought would be to have it as an ornament, scrapping the frame would be sacrilege.
Cheers and good luck to whomever does so.
Jeremy, Jez or Albion_press however you want to name me!

Jeremy, thank you, yes My misrepresentation, If it aint Monotype Crap, I am out of my depth, I try in good faith.!

But I believe the Good Buddy in N.Z. has a fair unbiased picture of which way to jump, or not. ??? Thanks.