Adana QH ink disc
I recently acquired an Adana Quarto horizontal platen press. All the parts seem to be there except the ink rollers and I ordered new ones made. I have been taking the press apart to remove considerable rust and corrosion, so far so good. I found the manual for it online and it seemed to me that the round disc in the center of the inking plate should rotate.when the platen is raised and lowered. There is a spring-loaded rod that runs from the base of the platen to the spindle under the ink disc. The rod is attached to a small lever that should engage the notches on the disc but it will not stay in position. I’m a novice and this is my first press. Any advice from someone who is familiar with this press would be appreciated. I think I need to disassemble parts at the base of the platen to remove corrosion but I hesitate to do that without a more expert opinion. Thanks, Marcie
The rod that should easily slide back and forth under the press to rotate the ink disc should be able to slide smoothly. It should also have a spring around it that allows it it slide back when not engaged by the upright platen. There is also a gravity-activated finger on the end under the ink disc. If you have tutnred the press upside-down and are trying to figure out how this works, it WON”T work unless the press is upright. The finger simply engages one of the notches under the ink disc to rotate it slightly and then it pivots out of the way as the rod slides back. Make sure that that this little finger is loose at the end of the rod
so that is can pivot.
Hope this helps,
Rick
Hi Marcie,
Welcome to Briar Press and AdanA HQ club.
Use penetrating oil for any rusted screws. The ink disk actuator rod can become bent when the platen is lifted up if it was rusted in place, check and straighten if required. Removal is not complicated, one lock screw on the block under the ink disk and a split pin holding the spring in place. The end should make a ‘L’ shape, not like a ‘7’ a right angle to length of rod and rod should be straight all the way. Lifting ink disk will let you view from the top how the ratchet lever will work. Ink disk should be level with crescent part of ink plate. The whole ink disk frame can be removed while cleaning (when the rod is out) and the crescent plate is screwed on though screws should be covered with dried ink.
There should be a plastic block attached to the gripper lever at the back that will swing the gripper fingers away from platen when it is lifted up. The spring loaded plunger is used to press the grippers against the platen, also may need cleaning, remove gripper shaft and split pin.
My impression lever pivot hole was worn, make sure it is clean and has lubricant, rotate and lock shaft in new position to compensate. Platen eccentric hinge pivots have a brass bush on mine but were seized up, I removed blocks from base so I could free them one at a time with penetrating oil.
Packing on units from the factory was one manila card or tympan sheet and 11/12 sheets of London Evening News for a total thickness of 1.21mm loose or 0.91mm compressed by the micrometer.
The pocket sized book Printing for Pleasure by John Ryder devotes parts to the merits of this little press.
My rollers are so hard that I usually use a soft brayer with the rollers off as is common. I am planning modification one day to add weight to roller carriage and re-cover rollers with soft rubber to make it more practical if I start using it more. Currently I use for making my business cards and some embossing.
Good luck