C&P roller saddles

Hi there, Im relatively new to letterpressing with a C&P OS. Have an 8x5 adana and decided to move up :) I have not yet inked the press up as I want to ask for some advice/opinion before doing so. I know that these wonderful machines are very old hence my question. If the roller saddles are worn, a little more on one side than the other will this cause major problems when it comes to inking up type or poly plates? Please see attached photo’s.

Many thanks
Antonella

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The wear is not ideal, but not bad in the photos. and it shouldn’t make much difference in the inking the press does. The condition of the trucks and the rails is more important.

The roller saddles’ job is to hold the rollers tight against the rails, so if the relationship between the rollers/rails/trucks are adjusted properly, it should be fine.

Rubber rollers should be the same size as the trucks and the rails should be exactly type high. Composition rollers can be a tiny bit larger in diameter than the trucks.

If the rails are short of type high (or irregular) they can be adjusted with shims of tape or similar substances, depending on the amount of shimming needed. Some folks prefer to tape the trucks instead of the rails, but that seems trickier.

Or you can use type high roller bearers, as I do. That requires a few further adaptations so the roller bearers don’t print on the tympan, but I find cutting away the sides of the tympan works for me.

I’d agree with Arie. With the wear you have, there will be some shifting of the roller cores, but that will occur at the top and bottom of the roller passage, and not when in contact with your form.

If there are any burrs (it appears there may be some at the edges of the saddles), it might be wise to file or grind them off, and make certain you oil the roller cores daily when in use so as to minimize the wear under your watch.

John Henry

I wonder if you could make them more even with some tape in the saddles or even a little pad/strip of latigo leather. I’ve heard of people using a strip of latigo (horse tack, very hard, resilient) leather to raise the rails to proper height too. I’ve never done it, just a thought for if it gives you trouble.

A M as the worst one (single roller) looks quite bad and will be the first to give up the ghost, 2 possibilities>>>>>quick fix short term!!!cut a strip of brass possibly 2pt or 3 pt rule with simple tin snips cut strips exactly width of remains of hooks about 1 1/2 - 2 inches long wrap around roller stock into horseshoe and insert as slippers between roller end and stirrup of hook, just repeat when needed. Long term permanent (semi) assuming the arms could be removed which isnt normally major surgery, the operation has been posted many times already, take arms complete to any body with welding equipment, specifically brazing (bronze welding), have the worn out sections built up and re-drill, with final drill just bigger than the diameter of the shaft preferably with a pillar drill but if all else fails, with hand held power drill and set square, and a buddy giving you the upright.

Thank you all for the comments, there has been a little bit of ghosting from the single saddle, not giving major problems but have managed to buy a single saddle virtually new only problem is the bar/shaft holding the saddle is shorter than what is currently on my 10x15 C&P, is the bar easy remove from the saddle? As with the rails they were worn in spots and this was giving me major inking problems. I managed to find an aluminum strip which was easy sick onto the rails with strong double sided tape, thankfully that solved the rail problem :)

thank you all once again