Category: Troubleshooting the press
Later topic: Taking apart a Golding Pearl
Earlier topic: Rollers for Challenge 20 KP

Grippers on Kelsey 6x10 Misbehaving

I recently acquired a Kelsey 6x10 in good condition and am going through the process of figuring out how to use the thing.

I’m running into an issue with the grippers. I took a few pictures to illustrate (see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/foodyssey/sets/72157624321248131/), but basically what’s happening is the grippers aren’t gripping the plate… when the press come down, the grippers are getting pushed behind the rollers.

I can unscrew the single screw on each of the grippers and reposition to an extend, but don’t think that’s solving anything. The spring seems to be in OK condition, but it’s hard to tell.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Log in to reply   5 replies so far

  • dickg
  • on 5 Dec 10 (19:27)

Usually unscrew each spring and position the grippers closer to the tympan will solve your problem. Good Luck Dick G.

In the first photo of the open press the grippers look correctly positioned. In the photo close-up of the rollers coming down, it looks like your roller trucks are off the rails, which won’t affect the problem with the grippers but will affect the inking.

Make sure the grippers are adjusted so they lift off the platen a couple of inches at the top when the press is fully open, and make sure the set screws on the grippers are tight when they’re correctly positioned. In that position they should not move very much (maybe 1/2 inch at the tip) when you wiggle them gently. If they flop around then I’d say the spring is not correctly installed. They should miss the rollers by an inch or so as the press is opened and closed.

Bob

It appears that the grippers may be slightly bowed (bent), if they were straightened, you may be able to adjust them so that the upper ends are closer to the platen than to the press bed, thus missing the rollers as they descend.

I’ve tried adjusting them as low as I can (and still get a screwdriver in to fasten them up again) and tightening and they still seem to “stick” as the clamshell is released and the rollers come down. I wonder if that’s a spring issue?

I’m going to try straightening them when I get home tonight and see what that does.

Thanks for all the advice so far.

Have you lubricated the holes through which the spring passes? Perhaps the spring is hanging up and not smoothly moving as it should.