I worked at a newspaper that had converted from lead type shortly before I started. Lead pigs for linotypes are not that fancy. Many people had half-pigs for doorstops and bookends. They'd probably have rings on them for the feeder to gently lower then into the pot.
Linotype had close to 100 keys.
Linotype had close to 100 keys.
Never saw a Monoblock.
The first week I started at the newspaper in 1987, I was assigned to help a contractor convert the saddles on the last press unit from lead plates to polymer coated aluminum printing plates. It was a keyed letterpress type printing press. The lead plates were around 1/2" thick. This company machined steel saddles that were the thickness of the lead plates minus the thickness of the aluminum plates. They had spring loaded lockups to hold the new plates. We'd set a saddle template on the press, lock it up like a lead plate, then use a mag drill to drill a bunch of mounting holes to hold the new saddles in place. Then remove the template, tap the holes, and then install the new steel saddles. It was the first time I'd ever seen a printing press, a mag drill, and a tap. It took two weeks to convert that last unit. We had to work while the press was running, so there were paper webs sailing over us for hours at a time. Maybe a foot or two above your head. And it was LOUD in there.
I loved it! Best job I ever had. Lasted 30 years. Still miss it, but life goes on.
Sounds like a great start to a great job though.
After that project was over, we had to convert all of the press units from keyed to keyless. Some of that involved sitting inside of running press units while mounting electrical boxes, wiring harnesses, then making adjustments to the new sensors. You haven't lived until you climb inside a running press unit. It sounds like you're sitting inside the engine compartment of a large truck doing 60. The rollers are inches from your head. One wrong move and it would be like putting your head into a giant wringer washing machine. Death would be instant. No loose clothing. No rags in pockets. All shirts tucked in. And I cut my hair pretty short, too. I ranked that part of the job right up there with jump-starting aircraft that had the plug between the prop and the leading edge of the wing. Total concentration or death.Nerves. Of. Steel.
I have seen those presses in action, and know the tolerances. Not human compatible.
I had a quick look for the type casting machine that I saw at the Acme bookbinding plant outside of Cleveland. I can't find it in any of the common histories of typesetting. No idea which kind it was...
All the best, Peter
Fascinating!!!
