DIY Guides/Registration for Heidelberg Windmill
I’ve recently been practicing how to use the Heidelberg Windmill after having it stored for years, haha. So far I’m in the most basic level of printing: a 1-sided, 1-color print.
It’s great, except that I can’t even get my paper to print straight and consistently enough that I can cut them all along the same trim line. So I’ve been cutting each individual sheet by hand using a cutter, lol.
I print using commercial registration because I don’t exactly have those side guides/bottom guides. I live in the Philippines and most pressmen here are not aware of what those are (as they usually only use the Windmill for numbering receipts), so I can’t seem to find a place that sells these guides here.
I’m thinking of investing in some from the US, but before then, is there some ad hoc/DIY solution to having good registration? Homemade stuff, clips, tape, etc? Certainly someone has done it…
I’ve attached here a photo of what I’m assuming is a guide that came with this rusty machine when I bought it (just without the pin).
Would love your help! With photos would be amazing!
Hi Kitty,
There are 2side lay/ head lays for sale on EBAY UK. If you have the bottom lay bar still on your machine then all you will need a pair of brass lays and some wire pins. There is another UK Ebay advert with a price tag of£9.99 (both under heidelberg platen) and the seller sells parts. Worth a try. If you need pictures I will send some.
As for trying some home made device I think thats probably not possible because feeding the sheet into the lays is really a mechanical movement making the sheet slide into position.
Hi Frank,
Thank you so much for your help! I’ll definitely check those out.
I do still have the laybar. Do you think you could send over photos of the exact brass lays and wire pins I’d need?
What about a side guide? I’m still confused as how that looks.
Thanks Frank!
Hi Kitty, here are some pictures from my Windmill.
Hope these help. can supply part numbers if required.
brasslays.jpg
sidelay taken out.jpg
close up of side lay.jpg
side lay in situ.jpg
brass and sidelay.jpg
Thank you for all of these, Frank! I checked my Windmill and it seems to have the side lay! Yipee.
I just have to scour the internet for the lay guides and pins and purchase one very soon. Your help is very much appreciated! :)
Oh, if you still have the time, do you think you could send over the part numbers for my future reference? Thank you!
hi Kitty,
here are scans from the parts book, the basic brass lays are
T0264F and T0265F. Do you know how to change from Off lays to On lays ? if you don”t have a manual there is one on Letterpress Commons Website as an online reference.
re your ink situation allow enough ink on the press for the second and subsequent sheets, the first sheet will always have more ink on it.
parts list.jpg
parts visual.jpg
Hi Frank,
Very grateful for this!!! Thank you!
Yes, I think I’ve come across info on how to change from off lays to on lays. Thank you as well for your advice on my inking situation.
I have one last question: What is the difference brass lay gauges (T 0264 and T 0265) and nickel lay gauges (T 0242 and T 0241)?
Thanks!