Gem N0.1 platen

nortonjohn
on 6 Jul 15 (21:08)

I have a Gem No.1 press. The problem is the impression handle travels back & forth when treadling the machine. You can’t release the impression. All seems to be there but the machine was well rusted when I got it so I’m just thinking the shaft must be rusted inside but all attempts so far to move it have failed. Any thoughts on this?

gem lever 7.7.15 0032.jpg

gem lever 7.7.15 0022.jpg

gem lever 7.7.15 0012.jpg

jhenry
on 7 Jul 15 (09:30)

It appears, in these photos, that the impression lever (throw-off) causes a bar to change the position of the eccentric shaft upon which the platen is hinged. One of two things could be happening:

1. The shaft is indeed rusted where it passes through its bearing surfaces. This could be loosened up in time with application of de-rusting lube products.

2. The collar which rotates the shaft (connected to the throw-off has a broken taper pin, so the throw-off has no effect. If the handle moves, but the shaft does not rotate, this could be the issue, and the original pin could be removed and replaced with a new one.

John Henry

nortonjohn
on 8 Jul 15 (18:16)

Thanks for that JH. I have had the mechanism off & tried to move the shaft by making up a clamp type tool but still no movement even though soaked in kero & oil. I even drilled a couple of holes along the cross shaft to get to the inner cam thing but ,nothing. Pinned the collar back on but it still travels back & forth with the action of the machine. More daily doses of oil! John