C&P Pilot + Platen Issue
Hi! I’m a complete beginner, so I really appreciate your patience.
I recently acquired a Chandler & Price Pilot tabletop press and have been in the process of cleaning and restoring it. There was some rust, so I removed a few parts and worked on bringing them back to good condition. Now I’m reassembling everything, but I’m running into some trouble with the platen.
I’m having difficulty understanding how the bolts function and how to properly level the platen. Any guidance on how to approach this would mean a lot.
The press is otherwise in great condition, except for a broken right table bracket. It doesn’t affect usability, but I’d love to repair or replace it if possible. If anyone has advice on fixing it or knows where I might find a replacement, I’d really appreciate it.
Also, if anyone can help me identify the model or estimate the year of the press, that would be incredibly helpful.
Thank you so much!
Thalia
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Wow, this press looks like it is in great condition. You are very lucky to have such a gem. There is a discussion on Briarpress about identifying the press’s age. Try this link.
https://www.briarpress.org/25177
I don’t see that you have rollers in place. If you need rollers, contact Todd’s Press time at. [email protected], and he will set you up with a great set of rollers and trucks.
Regarding leveling the press, I refurbished a Pilot a year ago and have video of the leveling process. Here is a pix. If you have 3 type high bars as seen in the pix, or 4 large letter M, which you could lock up in four corners of the chase. Pull a proof and see how evenly they print. Then loosen the bolts on the back of the platen and turn them in or out, in very small increments. Adjust one at a time. Then pull a proof. This process will take some time, as you really need to make small adjustments until you get an even print on the bars or the four corners. Once you’ve gotten an even print tighten the nuts on the bolts and you’re ready to rock.
Since you say you are a newbie, it makes sense to speak.
If you’d like to speak, reach out,
Steve Varvaro 917-509-4844
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One element Steve didn’t mention with regard to leveling the platen: it should be done with the basic typman paper platen covering and packing installed, because adjusting for even impression only works for the printing setup you expect to use. Adding or subtracting packing changes the amount of impression but it also causes the platen to contact the type at a slight angle instead of evenly over the whole surface, because the “clamshell” style of mechanism works that way — the paper must be exactly parallel with the inked type for an even impression, but the platen swings in an arc and there is only one exactly-parallel position.
And regarding the feed table bracket, a good welder should be able to braze it back together if there is nothing missing, maybe including a narrow curved piece of steel to reinforce the repair.
AdLib,
Thanks for adding that. I am sure it helps.
Can the platen be parallel and either too far forward or too far back?
Steve
steve, yes you can adjust the platen parallel wherever you want it. i printed very thick coasters, about 130 thousand thick, i had to back up the platen a lot and than adjust it parallel.
bob, you are right with the fine tuning of the platen always with packing and draw sheet. one thing: the pilot is not a clamshell press, but a boston platen. the bed is fix and the platen moves hinged and yes it moves in a arc.
when i look at the pictures i think the poster had the platen removed from the platen and now the bolts dont go in the platen again. the adjusting bolts have 2 different threads. one right hand and one left hand thread.
https://www.starkpressco.com/product-page/old-style-chandler-price-pilot...
in the picture the left hand threat that goes in the platen is not seated yet, and this can be tricky to do. start with 1/8 turn on all 4 bolts. if a bolt binds go back and loosen the others as well, sorry i cant explain it better in english its not my mother tongue. i post 2 pictures how it should look like. be patient and dont cross threat, dont use force. when its done right you can turn the bolt almost with your hand. you could also ask one of the stark brothers, they are nice guys. good luck!
ernst, santa rosa
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Nice find to start with, it is a old style design.
I would recommend some type high magnet spacers from eBay to learn set up it, put a strip of paper under each one pulling out to feel pressure. takes many times adjusting and watching what happens to be a pro.
do not strip bolts. make sure they all move before starting. if one bolt is getting to tight try moving the other 3 instead.
Thank you all for the great advice. I also found this video which mentions a lot of the things you all suggested. I’ll give it a try. Wish me luck. =)
https://youtu.be/dkYshRFrEKc?si=_yWuSe_66z0Ke6d5