Restoration help for a Tunis Model 2 Press
Hi there!
I am looking to restore a Tunis Model 2. I’ve had a few people look at it through photos and in person and I seem to keep hitting a few bumps in getting it up and running.
The big issue: Every time I push the handle down, the rollers go up and over the plate and on their way back down the counter weight that moves the inking disk forward falls off its track and renders the press stuck. Based on what I’ve been told, the previous owner shaved the back of my press short and the back used to look like a bowed knife. It also looks like they dropped the press at some point and had to weld part of the press that holds the counterweight into place and may have done it wrong. I’ve tried some backyard engineering with no luck.
Does anyone have an original Model 2 or manual of what the original hook system looks like? or any ideas to get it up and running?
On a side note: I am also looking for advice on refinishing it. I would like to restore this press and get rid of the awful silver it is at the moment. Can anyone recommend methods of stripping the press or paints that I should look at for sealing it?
I’d appreciate any help!
Thank you,
Isaac W.
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I wonder if the support bracket for the ink disc is installed backwards — in other words, rotated 180 degrees from what it should be, which would place the ink disc pawl (which looks to me to be wrong) above instead of below the bracket and maybe make it work better. But I’m not sure what you mean by “the hook system in the back”, and it may be that reversing the bracket would cause the disc advance mechanism, if that is what you meant, to not work. Ideally someone with a similar Model press can compare their ink disc bracket position to yours.
Bob
Isaac
The ink disc pawl is installed correctly. It can not be inverted the 180 degrees. The ink disc carriage that holds the ink plate and mounts the pawl assembly looks like it has been repaired. It looks like one side is slightly lower causing the pawl to sway away from the ink disc. That might be the cause of it binding. It will need some attention.
The pawl also looks like it has been repaired (altered, rounded) preventing the pawl from advancing the ink disc properly.
If you like, send me your disc pawl. I will trade you with an original that hasn’t been repaired. I think I have some extras.
If not I will pull one off my press. I think the last time I counted I had 96 Model Presses in the Barn. For the love of the Model, I will sacrifice a part to get this one back into production.
I believe you have my email. Reach out and I will send you an address.
Peter
The paint would have been black with a slight gloss, modern paints are too glossy, with a small amount of gold decoration. This one is over decorated
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Your pics seem to look ok from the front, the pawl is in the vertical position and presumably changes angle as the rollers go up.
What is going on around the back though, that screw shouldn’t be there nor should the hole?
As the handle is pulled down that arm with the screw in should slide down the other arm connect to the pawl to move the pawl.
The No2 and the No3 are the same design so if you can’t find another No2 to look at enquire if somebody where you live has a 3.
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Good eye Mr. Platen,
That screw escaped my attention.