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This page of etching press information has been posted in response to a specific request by a printmaker who owns a similar press.

This information may not be applicable to other types of etching presses, nor is it intended to be a comprehensive explanation of this type of press.

The edge of the steel press bed may be seen between the rollers. The bed on this press is 22mm thick. Some later presses of this design had thicker bed plates. A sheet of 16 gauge stainless steel rests on the bed -- the light-colored edge is visible between the top roller and the bed plate.

Here is the most important thing to know about setting up this press: The shims below the lower roller must raise it high enough to keep the bed clear of both end rollers.

When the bed is exactly centered on the top roller, it should teeter about 10-20mm above the end rollers. Under pressure (and over period of time) there will be some compaction of the shims, reducing the amount of clearance above the end rollers.

In all three of these photos, you will notice that there is a 40-year accumulation of grease and fuzzy stuff. Today, better lubricants are available that can be kept cleaner.

When the press was crated for shipment in Italy, all exposed steel surfaces had been coated with cosmolene (a reddish colored gunk for protection against corrosion). I cleaned that off with turpentine and lubricated the exposed metal surfaces with cup grease. Over the years, lint from woolen felt blankets and paper has stuck to the grease.

It is very important to have a correct number of shims above the top roller. The pressure screw must be supported by as many internal threads as possible. The fewer number of threads contacted, the greater the amount of stress, possibly resulting in broken threads inside the block.

The threads of the steel pressure screws must contact as many threads as possible for strength.

First is the letter I received from the designer of the press. It explains some of the design features.

Below the letter are two scans of the brochure which was used to promote the press.

Enjoy your press! Mine has performed well with constant use.

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