Windmill lay bar bent?
In trying to set up a job to run with guides, I’ve found that the back end of my sheet is slipping between the guide and platen. It does this so consistently that I can actually register to it (I’ve run the sheet back through the press a few times with no discernible shift in the impression location).
Is it possible my lay bar is slightly bent? Do I dare take a hammer to it? Are there other workarounds? It’s only a 1 color job, but it has to register to a foil stamp someone else is doing.
Am I opening myself up to new problems if I remove the bar and try to bend it into shape?
Is your stock curled? Are you using the nickle gauges, i have this problem a lot with the nickle gauges, i try to use the brass gauges all the time. Dick G.
If it doesn’t look bent I would not remove it.You will probably only be making things worse unless your absolutely sure it is bent.
I am using nickel guides, and I don’t have brass to try instead.
I’m going to glue a couple thin bits of paper onto the guide and see if that won’t help close that gap. Removing the bar is definitely my last resort.
Are you using part T0258F as shown on page26 of the parts list?
Is that the part that holds the tympan bars in place? It’s a little hard to see in my book.
The pieces of paper glued to the guide seem to have done the trick. Spot on registration.
Is there an easy way to adjust alignment by a point here or there? I’m about a point off square and it seems un-German-like to have to pull the chase out and try to adjust your plate by that little.
The lay bar can be moved in or out, there is a set screw and 10 mil bolt on either side where bar connects to press which need to be loosened before pushing the bar toward platen or pulling it toward bed. The bar may need some help with a screwdriver after these are loosened. Nickel guides need to clear the platen so it should be out. We either cut a small “V” in the tympan and bend it out (point down) this allows sheet to fall onto the guide instead of between it and the platen. If die cutting or otherwise not using a tympan, just tape a “V” shape onto the platen, also bent slightly out. Stuart
Some times when i’m being lazy i will put a 1 point or 2 point lead on the chase where it sits in the bed, this will tip it a little. Dick G.
According to the manual, that lay bar can be adjusted on either side by up to 4 points by loosening up the hex bolt, then the set screw. I’m not sure if this is what you’re referring to Village Press, but it seems like it might be what I’m looking for to make fine adjustments without rejiggering the form.
Dick, I too have placed copper or lead rules between a corner of the boxcar base and the chase to give it a little tilt.
The adjustment you refer to,jonsel, is for up and down these nuts and screws are on top of the bar as you look down on it. The bolt and set screw for lateral motion are on the sides and down. In the manual of parts, page 26 is a pretty good illustration. I think T0224 etc is what I’m talking about. Good luck. Stuart
Jonsel, i put the leads on the piece the chase sits on instead of unlocking the chase. Dick G.
I tried that today, Dick, with a copper space. Didn’t quite get it. I did figure out how to adjust the lay bar up and down a few points which helped tremendously. I’m so happy to have discovered that! Give me another 10 years and I may finally understand how this press works.
10 years, you must be a fast learner. Dick G.
I was being optimistic.
Just to throw in this since people continue to consult Briar for these issues…
I’ve been using masking tape on either end of the chase, the grooves at the bottom where it rests when locked into the press. It gives a bit of tilt and lifts the plate slightly on either end. I’ve been using that when I can’t adjust my bottom guides any further and it’s been super useful. I also found I can add 1-2 thicknesses of masking tape on the end of the chase (2 tends to be too much and the chase battles falling into place again). This can offer lateral adjustment if needed. Scotch tape is harder to peel off, but is a tinier adjustment if you need to shift the plate just a hair up.