Platen Work

If you can’t find a replacement platen, repairs can be done. Our experience and repair techniques confirm that the parts we repair haven’t yet failed at the location of the repair. We analyze the stress direction and function of the part, media blast the part, inspect for all cracks, select the appropriate filler rod, tack the parts together if needed (when parts are broken apart), grind a chamfer, preheat if required, braze the crack(s) and then machine if necessary (as in the case of your platen to ensure the working surface is flat). Media blast again, re-inspect. then return or paint, then return.

If all of the bits and pieces are present the structural integrity of the part as it was designed, can be restored. Do not neglect to think critically about the use that the press has seen up to this point. What else has failed or is damaged?

You can see examples of our repair work on the website.

Tom
www.tandtpressrestoration.com

On another issue, after repair or replacement, you should reinstall the platen right side up. It is not correct as shown, so don’t be misled by previous owners mistake.

John

I would concur with John as to assembling the platen in proper order. However I suspect the previous owner put the platen in reversed position to keep the heavy impression loads of the bottom of the form off of the cracked corners.

Thank you for the advice.
It makes sense that the platen was upside down.
I would love to get it sent to you Tom and get it repaired but I’m in the Uk and the cost of shipping might far exceed the cost of repair on such a heavy item.

If you would like to send me a quote for such a transaction
My email is [email protected]

But for now I’ll try and keep looking for parts and local solutions. So if there are any UK based metalworkers anyone might be aware of that might be suitable please let me know.

Cheers

Milo

In the UK, contact: www.harryrochat.com

I think if I were faced with this problem, I would find a steel grating, make one side of it as flat as possible (grinding or machining), then set the grating in a blacksmith’s forge, carefully assemble the platen face down on the grating, use stainless welding rod to tack the pieces together, then heat the whole assembly with a good hot fire in the forge, and while hot, braze all the breaks. Then let it cool slowly, covered with a soft ash or something fireproof and insulative. When cool surface-grind the printing surface lightly to ensure good flatness, and reinstall the platen correctly — and print carefully, without excessive “deep impression” pressure.

Bob

More details… Our filler rod of choice, depending upon the amount of carbon in the cast material being repaired and the part’s mass, is silicon bronze or nickle.The process we use includes a heli-arc set up.

Tom

tandtpressrestoration.com

I’ve had a look around and think I might try getting a new platen made from steel via water-jet cutting.
Exact, tougher than the iron used at the time of manufacture and cheaper than repair. Shame it wont be the original piece but it’ll get the old girl to full working order.

I think with the accuracy of this cutting tech it would be possible to make a platen press from thick flat cut sheets of steel, at a better quality than it’s victorian cousins.
It would be an adults version of those wooden dinosaur assembly kits. There’s a project for the future.

Any way, I’ll let you know how I get on.

Cheers for the advice.