Linotypesetting.com

These guys were by the shop to take a look at the Model 31. There was some wobble of the vise on lockup.

I thought it might be either the pot leg bushings, or right hand locking stud, and maybe the locking screw. Dshms had a look and diagnosed the stud and screw end. The machine has a Star Improved locking screw with a replaceable end, and I had a new end in my parts stash. So that was an easy fix.

The stud was a bit more of a process. After we dug through my tools and found the right combination to get into the cramped space above the delivery slide casting where the stud is fixed in place, Chris got the worn stud out. I had a spare of that as well. Except somehow when doing a dry fit, the pin that prevents the stud from rotating in its seat sheared off. WTH? How why would a pin be brittle like that? So be it. Dave had a beautiful spare Star stud in the truck, but dang it, it was an Intertype style. So, the only option was to put the old stud back in and cross our fingers.

Back together, Dave adjusted the locking screw with new end, and I cycled the machine. No more wobble. Success. We debated a back knife adjustment but slugs are coming out with a hair less than .001”deviation from end to end. Not ideal, but close enough for rock n roll? For now anyway.

This coming weekend is Open Studios, so the demos are a go.

hey Keelan, have I been blocked from posting? I tried sharing the post below this to the Group but see “commenting is turned off,” except it’s not for others.

Here’s a brain teaser. As I was setting a few lines recently for a menu, on distribution, the dist box started making an uncharacteristic click, and mats failed to be pushed out onto the distributor bar. huh. So I pulled the box, and dumped the mats to examine them.

Since I was setting shortish lines, I was starting and ending each with a few quads. Among the quads I slid out were these two. Both face the same direction with reference side toward bottom.

What was the problem?

We’ve a mouse problem, and in an effort to control them, and root out what and where they’ve gotten into, I’ve been opening boxes of ephemera on bottom shelves in the library. In one, (unsoiled) I found the Linograph sales catalog I knew was around here somewhere…

Linograph was a short-lived competitor to Linotype, but I’m unaware if Intertype had yet been spun off by executives from Mergenthaler as patents expired. It’s undated, so it’s an open question someone else might have an answer to. Not unexpected, the (rusty) staples have seen better days, but overall, it’s complete and in good shape for its age.