Adding a motor to a C&P or Golding platen press

edmond
on 24 Apr 08 (23:32)

Does anyone have schematics or instructions on building a motorized version of a platen press? Ideally, I’d like to have a variable motor to change speeds using a dial rather than switch. Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

~Edmond

dicharry
on 25 Apr 08 (00:39)

Edmond,

I am going through this same thing right now. I have a 10x15 C&P and it was lacking a functional motor and pulley system. I managed to track down a 22” pulley and also purchased a universal AC 110v motor and a rheostat potentiometer to control the speed. The whole package cost about $100.

I have heard mixed reports on how this will perform over the long term, but most experts have assured me I will be fine as long as I generally keep the motor at or above 50% of its rated RPMs.

Finding the parts was the hardest part for me. I didn’t want to run the belt straight to the flywheel, but most people do just that. All you would need is a belt that is the appropriate size and a motor that is 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower (perhaps larger depending on the size of your press).

What kind of press are you trying to motorize?

Brad.

madmaudepress
on 25 Apr 08 (21:18)

Look out for overloading motors. I rigged a motor like that, and it burned out on a long print run. And I mean burned out. It actually caught on fire!

What you need is a DC motor with a variable speed control. McMaster Carr has everything you need if you want to spend a mint. Otherwise, you can always track this stuff down at flea markets and surplus stores.

I have this setup on my 12x18” C&P. I’ve got a DC gear motor wired to an electronic DC controller. It has stop, reverse, and a speed knob. Since it’s a gear motor, it has fantastic torque, and it can start the press from a dead stop.

Calvert Guthrie
on 26 Apr 08 (11:46)

An over-heating motor may also be the result
of dry bearings or bushings. Keep ‘em lubed.

Keep your motor clean, too. Blow out the dust
& wipe off the grit regularly.

A little belt dressing now and then can give it a
tighter grip and a more efficient use of energy.
A slipping belt wears faster & heats up.

There are several commercial motor mounting
systems that use a motor’s weight to keep the
belt taut. A large door hinge works just as well.

Calvert Guthrie
Ragpicker Press
Centropolis

Frank Sadlon
on 9 May 08 (10:42)

Where did you find the “steam” pulley, the one opposite the flywheel, I also want to add a motor, and run it from the steam wheel side, but the pulley is missing ??

dicharry
on 11 May 08 (22:30)

I found mine on eBay of all places. It’s not the steam pulley, but a 22” pulley that was supplied with motorized presses.You could also get a flywheel from an 8x12 C&P and use that as the right side pulley.

I thought about purchasing an 18” cast iron pulley (available from many stores online) but I ended up stumbling upon the 22” C&P pulley.

Hope that helps,
Brad.