Golding No.12 Uneven Impression
Hi, all. I recently purchased a Golding Official No.12 and I’m having some issues with the impression depth.
All of the impression seems to be in the top-right corner (when facing the press). I’ve attempted to adjust the screws under the bed, but have not had any luck correcting the problem by doing so. I’ve tried the non-impressioned corners as tightly screwed as possible, and the ipmression-corner as unscrewed as possible… but nothing made a difference.
I am not using ink yet, just blind embossing. I want to get the impression even before I work with ink, obviously. I removed the rollers because of this. Could this be the problem?
And, for the record, I am using a Boxcar Deep Relief base with PP.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
First,your impression issues have nothing to do with the rollers. They are not involved with impression. If you are doing all that turning of the adjustment screws and it’s not making any difference, something is wrong. On this press you have four corner and one center bolt. The center bolt with a spring on it holds the whole platen on and the four corner bolts push against their respective corners. I would loosen the locking nuts on all four corners and back out all of them. The platen should be able to rock in every direction just being held by the center bolt. If it doesn’t, I would take out the center bolt with the spring and try lifting the whole platen off. Be careful to remove the spring from the gripper bar to the press. If the platen is loose you should be able to slowly turn in the four corner bolts to get an even impression. You may want to consider this for the actual adjusting part.
http://www.perennialdesigns.net/?page_id=1358
Hmm… loosened all four bolts as you suggested but there is no movement to the platen at all; it is stuck tight. I’ve also noticed that the top-right bolt is not coming in contact where the other three do. It seems to be slightly off.
It looks like I’ll need to remove the platen. Trouble is, I’m not sure exactly what I am looking for once it is removed. Suggestions?
I refurbished the same press and it is my work horse. I am not an expert by any means and learn something new every day, but I did follow the leveling instructions to a T from Briar Press, before I purchased John’s leveling suggestion. I may add that tool is great!
What size base are you using and where do you place it?
I have 2 base sizes and tend to use my smaller one a lot more. I also use 6” wood type. ATF, and mag. plates. You may want to just ink your Golding up, attach some photos to your comment for folks suggestions (make ready, etc).
Good luck and I hope you grow to love your press as much as I love mine.
Hey CabinPress. I am using the 6x9 base, locked up in the center of the chase.
I will ink my press up on Tuesday, still awaiting mineral spirits to arrive in the post. I could not find any within the area.
Hi,
That makes me wonder if the center bolt is correct. It sounds as if the center bolt is holding the platen from moving. It shouldn’t. I think you should take it out. The center bolt should have a washer and a heavy spring on it.
Even when that bolt is tightened the spring allows the platen to move and be adjusted with the corner bolts. You are not really looking for much. Once the center bolt is out, nothing is holding the platen from at least rocking. If it doesn’t, give it a gentle wack with a piece of wood. Once its moving, put everything back and adjust.
Success! I gave the platen a tap with a piece of wood like John suggested and got it centered again. After that, it was all smooth sailing.