Sigwalt Ideal #4 Restoration
Hey guys I restored a press per the title. Really happy with how it came out and I’m excited to start learning and using.
Came together and was really straight forward after I decided to get it blasted. Just hateful amounts of scrubbing.. I have to say Rust-oleum’s new universal spray, with the open nozzle, - wow - did an excellent job and the finish is NICE after probably half a dozen coats between filler primer and paint. I do wish I used an enamel but I am poor..
Chipped a bit putting it back together after painting, I need to touch it up and get some rubber bumpers. Maybe soak the ink plate again.
Last pictures were shot with an early 1900s Kodak C mount thought it was fitting. I want to do a nicer photoshoot though.
I was wondering, what are the arms for, that press against the paper as I close the press? Shouldn’t gauge pins properly hold the paper down?
video https://vimeo.com/381569602 password: briarpress
The arms are called grippers.
Gauge pins only hold the paper in place to insure the margins are correct and the paper square.
Ink is adhesive and if you have a lot of it on the paper, the paper wants to stay stuck to the form.
Grippers often are not needed on the hand operated press.
Get some ink on your shirt
inky
Your Sigwalt is more accurately referred to as a “Nonpareil” and not an Ideal #4. If the interior chase size is aprox 5”x 7.5”, it is a #24. The Nonpareils are easily identifiable by the round bases (like the Goldings), but unlike the rectangular bases of the later Sigwalt Ideals. A discussion search on this website using the keyword “nonpareil” should provide you with additional info.
Butch, thank you for your comment. This is news to me and cool to hear. There is no Golding impression either. Is there any catalogues showing the Nonpareil to point to a manufacture date? All I know is Sigwalt made presses from 1908? to 1960.
Inky thank you for the help. Can’t wait! Just need quoins, furniture and letters.. haha. I’ll get there eventually.
Sigwalt / Nonpareil catalog link: https://archive.org/details/Sigwalt1908PrintingPressesTypeSupplies
I have everything in stock that you will need…quoins, furniture, gauge pins, type, TYMPAN paper…..etc..
Only items I don’t stock are paper and ink.
Call me at 516-633-5107 to discuss. I can put together a small kit to get you started at a very reasonable price….will customize exactly to your needs. I have purchased a number of letterpress shops over the last 5 years and have everything you will need to get started.
Larry Lionetti
Great job on the restore. I have a small tabletop that I am hoping to restore soon. Can you tell me your process if dont mind? FWIW mine looks a little more worse for the wear than yours. What rustoleum product did you use?
Thanks so much
Great job on the restore. I have a small tabletop that I am hoping to restore soon. Can you tell me your process if dont mind? FWIW mine looks a little more worse for the wear than yours. What rustoleum product did you use?
Thanks so much