set up

What do you recommend when setting an 8x12 C&P old style on a concrete floor? It currently sits on 2x4s but those were used to a) distribute the load on a wood floor and b) accommodate the motor assembly which I am removing and replacing with the original treadle.

I found an old C&P guide which states that on concrete floors 1” thick cork, battleship linoleum, or felt pads should placed under the feet of the press. Just wondering what some of you have done. Thank you

image: C&P8-12.jpg

C&P8-12.jpg

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While the manufacturer may have machined the feet to sit solidly on a truly plane surface, the concrete floor will be very slightly uneven and thus the press will sit on three feet and rock, and over time the frame will probably distort or crack. The cork or linoleum (which probably does not need to really be 1 inch thick — 1/4 inch should do on a well-made floor) makes up the difference and provides good support for the inflexible cast iron. It will also absorb the vibration and the press should run more quietly.

Bob

if you mark out where you wish to put the press…put printingfurniture on these …then place a spirit level on to…this will probable indicate any variations in floor level, to enable you to see how much packing you need to set up.

Great advice! Thank you

> The cork or linoleum (which probably does not need to really be 1 inch thick — 1/4 inch should do on a well-made floor) makes up the difference…

Sorry, but I want to be clear on this: do I put the linoleum under all four feet (a sheet) or just under the feet that need it (i.e., shim)?

Also, if under all four feet what if the press needs to be leveled a bit? Jonathan descibed a great technique for checking the floor but what material should be used as packing? How do you best shim a beast like this?

I suggest leaving the press on the 2 x 4s. Then check with the level. You can use about anything to shim up where needed. Thin wooden wedges would work well. There should be very little vibration of a well adjusted and leveled press. Still, the level and the wedges should be checked periodically.
2 x 4 or 4 x 4 wooden runners help to put the press at the correct height for the operator. The delivery board is at a height and is of a depth to keep you out of the press if you stand ERECT. The delivery board should hit you at your waist/beltline.

Get some ink on your shirt.

personally-no disrespect to others-if your floor is very very uneven and or rough finished ,piece of whatever you are using under each corner plus shim as required….anything from eg “easycut lino” that is sold in art shops for linocuts but actually is a vinyl…to kitchen flooring cushion vinyl with a spongy back pefhaps your local shop or flooring guy has some offcuts…peopld even use few layers ov grey board but that can be susceptible to damp..then even affix the runners to floor with a couple of rawbolts which will hold everything including shims etc gripped in place.

For comfort when running a treadle-operated press, the closer to the floor the treadle is positioned, the easier it is to balance and run the press. Having a motorized press jacked up by four inches may be fine, but it will be easier to run this press with a treadle if it is attached to the floor at original height. You just need to make certain the treadle doesn’t bottom out on the floor (if it is not the original treadle, the connecting rod may be too long.

There are all sorts of mounting pads for heavy equipment which could work for your project. Here is a cork pad with neoprene faces which could work well.

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/86803459?fromRR=Y

In our plant we used waffled neoprene pads underlayed with sheet metal shims to level large pieces of equipment. It is good to have the grip of the “rubber” to keep the press from creeping on a smooth-surfaced floor, if you don’t want to drill and pin the press to the floor. When treadling a press, there is some forward motion in the foot action which can make the press “walk” across the smooth flooring.

John Henry

Many thanks again for the great advice. I just ordered the leveling pads (thanks John). Also, with the press on its feet (no 2x4s) the delivery board is just below my beltline so I think these pads will be perfect.

glad you are sorted….nice recommendation mr jh!