Fixing a Kelsey Star platen press - Advices needed!
Greetings Lettepress Community!
I have a Kelsey Star platen press that I cannot figure how to put to work. The two main issues I’m having with it are:
The platen doesn’t open back up after each revolution. I can make it open if I tap the bar in the back that’s surrounded by a spring. That bar looks a bit crooked, and maybe the spring needs to be replaced—or maybe there’s a part missing?
The treadle might not be attached correctly. It hits the curved base when it’s at its highest point, and I need to raise the press by about 3–4 inches for it to move as low as it should. Or maybe the treadle is not original? The images of Kelsey Star I have found have that fork rear end treadle, mine is not like that.
Sorry for the side photos - hope y’all can see enough.
Anyone owns one? If anyone had any informations or advice I would be more than grateful.
Thanks!!!
Elise
Advices needed fixing a Kelsey star platen press
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The treadle is definitely not the original. One solution to that could be to find someone with either a blacksmith’s forge or an oxy-acetylene torch, who can heat the bar about half way between the pivot and the pedal and bend it upward maybe 15-20 degrees from straight, then you’ll need to lengthen the connecting rod a bit, probably a couple of inches, which could be done by cutting it near the pedal connection and welding a piece of steel tubing the right size to make it the correct length, or a short length of the same or similar size rod, to fill the gap. First get the treadle bent, then mount it on the press with the press resting directly on the floor and the treadle end sitting on a block of wood 1/2” to 3/4” thick, and the pedal arm just short, maybe 1/2 inch, of touching the frame, and measure how much short the connecting rod is and have that much added. That should solve the problem of hitting the frame. Or you could measure the distance from the floor the pedal would be without the wood skids (unless you want them to make the press a comfortable height for you) at bottom, and have the arm bent where it contacts the frame so it rases the pedal just off the floor at the bottom of its travel.
I doubt seriously if you would ever find the correct treadle for such a rare press!
Just saw this.
Can you describe the problem with the platen opening up more? Is the large linkage behind/below the platen moving freely and straight? Is it riding on the cam correctly? Post a video perhaps. Not sure what part with the spring you are referring to? The platen adjustment bolts?
Make sure you find all the oil holes, and I also add oil to any place where I can see an axle entering a bushing/hole in another part i.e. wherever I can see metal riding on metal, and on the flywheel gears, where the roller bars ride, etc.
Regarding the treadle or any other part I can send you measurements/drawings/photos of mine. The design may have changed slightly over the years but I don’t think by much. Does it have a name or other text cast in the side or just the star?
Hope you can get your old Star going.
I do have new roller and truck sets for it.
click on my name here.