Broken bolt on platen – Help!

So I’ve been trying to adjust my platen on my C&P Pilot for a few days now. It prints small lead type fine, but when I tried to print my 2 inch wood type, it was a disaster, completely uneven. So I’ve been having a heck of a time trying to get it level, and decided to simply uncsrew all of the bolts and start fresh, planning on turning them all evenly to get them all in the same place. But when I unscrewed them, I removed to platen to get a look at the underside and clean it a bit and realized that the lower left bolt had broken off in the hole, flush against the platen, as in, I cannot remove this piece of metal, therefore cannot adjust my platen correctly.

 

I have no idea what to do. I tried chiseling it out, but it’s close to impossible. I’ve included pictures so you can get an idea as to what I am dealing with.

 

Help, ladies!

 

Samantha

get yourself a screw extractor: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202272968/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Oh wow, I had no idea such a product existed! Thank you! Cross your fingers it works…

UPDATE: Got the broken bit out. But now I am on the hunt for a replacement impression screw (or “bolt” as I was calling it before. It’s a learning process). I know it’s a stretch, but does anyone have any idea where I could get a new one? I contacted one person from Excelsior Press, and he didn’t know who made them anymore. Is it possible to have something like that made? I’m really in trouble, here…

Did you try American Printing Equipment and Supply or NA Graphics? You might also try Don Black Linecasting.

Good luck!

 

Do you think a machinist could fabricate one for you?

Oh! I keep forgetting to follow-up on this! Yes, I contacted Dan Morris at The Arm in Brooklyn, where I bought my press to get some advice as to what to do about leveling once I sourced the bolt. He gave me the name of a man who makes these handy platen-leveling tools and said “ask him about the screw, you never know”. And what do you know, he goes up to a shop that has parts-presses and is getting me one next week.

 

His name is John Falstrom. Here’s his ad on Briar Press, http://briarpress.org/23591.

Anyone with a platen press should really check it out because that platen leveling device he makes is pretty ingenious. It’s made from a roller gauge, but works to level the platen for even inking. Dan said it’s all he uses and it makes such an enormous difference, and more importantly, it simplifies the process. I think most of us have discovered what a pain leveling can be. (Obviously, I have). So I’ll definitely be purchasing one when my impression screw comes in.

 

Thanks for everyone’s help on this one!

 

Samantha

Hi Samantha,

Lucky you!

I’m in the process of refurbishing a c&p pilot and I am too missing these bolts. All four of them! I was wondering if you could tell me the price that you paid for it? I would like to see if I can afford them before I contact John.

Thanks,

Yajaira

Hi Yajara!

 

I am still waiting on the bolt. John doesn’t have the parts Pilot at his studio, but he travels to a place that has it once a week. He was very busy last week and didn’t get a chance to go up, but I should be hearing from him this week. I believe he said it would only be $20, but I will certainly let you know when he gives me the quote. If he doesn’t have any more, I did find a machinist in my area who was willing to make one because he thought it looked like a fun challenge, haha. So I might use him to make a couple of back-ups on the off chance another breaks. (Better safe than sorry, right?) I’d be happy to ask him to make four for you!

 

Let me know!

You can email me at samantha.urbanick@gmail.com if you’d like.

 

Samantha

[Author]

Posts