The State of the Typefoundry and Press

What I have; What Works and Does Not

This is a very quick survey of the major machines at the CircuitousRoot Typefoundry and Press, together with their current status and other notes. It's a sort of a high-level to-do list to help me to assess what I should be working on. Last updated: 2010-10-13.

SUMMARY: I've cast slugs on the Ludlow M s/n 16,615 and the Linotype Model 5E s/n 56,571, so this is a Private Typefoundry, and printed on the C&P Galley Proof Press , so this is a Private Press, but this is pretty minimal production, really. For the most part, I'm still in the acquisition, sorting, cleaning, restoring, and basic learning stages. I don't yet consider the Typefoundry and Press truly functional.

TO DO (short list of big items):

• Finish website transition
• Finish adjusting Model 5E s/n 56,571
• Finish servicing of Ludlow M s/n 16,615
• Bring Hammond Glider UP
• Bring Elrod E 3463 UP
• Bring C&P 10x15 UP
• Reassemble Fifth Linotype (Model 5 s/n 37,969R)
• (2010) Start ground-up assembly of Sixth Linotype project (Model 5F s/n 57,025)
• Print more

Note: a machine is DOWN unless it has been checked out and is in known current working order.

1. Linotypes/Intertypes and Related Equipment

• Linotype/Intertype Model X, s/n 15,527 - DOWN - need to start checking subsystems
• Linotype Model 5, s/n 37,969R - DOWN - must reassemble
• Linotype Model 5E, s/n 56,571 - UP (but needs adjustment)
• Linotype Model 5F, s/n 57,025 - DOWN (reassemble)
• Linotype Model 29, s/n 67,313 - DOWN - probably works; need to assess and power
• Linotype Model 31, s/n 68,814 - DOWN - long-term restoration project
• Intertype C4, s/n 35,067 - DOWN - missing magazine frame parts, shifter
• See Matrices at the Typefoundry for a catalog of Linotype-compatible matrices at CircuitousRoot.

• Star Matrix Repair Tool - UP, but need punches
• (3) Ewald Plunger Cleaners - UP
• Reid Plunger Cleaner - UP
• Margach Lino-Slug Router - DOWN (actually, simply status unknown)

2. Ludlow Typographs and Related Equipment

• Ludlow Model L, s/n 6,160 - DOWN (probably ok, but must re-orifice for propane and test)
• Ludlow Model L, s/n 10,571 - DOWN - Casts (2009-11-12), needs work on delivery mechanism
• Ludlow Model M, s/n 16,615 - UP - need to tune to fix flashing, bottom trim; sticking delivery
• Ludlow Supersurfacer s/n 133 - DOWN - probably ok, actually; moving to cold storage
• Ludlow Supersurfacer s/n 3211 - UP (2009-11-11)
• Ludlow Shell-Hi Slug Shear - DOWN - rebuild
• See Matrices at the Typefoundry for a catalog of Ludlow (standard) matrices at CircuitousRoot.
• See Nonstandard Ludlow Matrix/Stick for a list of nonstandard Ludlow-compatible matrices at CircuitousRoot.

3. Related Linecasting Equipment

• [slug decorative surfacer] - UP
• [slug knurler] - UP

4. Teletypesetter (6-Level) Equipment

• Teletypesetter Multiface Keyboard Perforator - DOWN - missing magazine
• [another] Teletypesetter Multiface Keyboard Perforator - DOWN - missing magazine
• AKI Autocomp PCI-80 Keyboard Perforator, s/n 1326 - DOWN - blowing fuses

• Fairchild Teletypesetter Operating Unit (for an Elektron), s/n 9705 - DOWN - need to get an Elektron, or adapt it to a Blue Streak machine

• Teletype BRPE-18 (6-Level) Punch, s/n 1242. Formerly on a now-scrapped Compugraphic Justape. - DOWN - unchecked
• Roytron computer-driven punch - DOWN - condition unchecked, need to interface
• Another Roytron computer-driven punch - DOWN - probably a parts machine

• Mergenthaler CorRecTerm M101, s/n 544 CRT-based typographical tape editor (with reader/punch) - DOWN - worked for 10 minutes and then something blew in the CRT.

5. Teletype (5-Level) Equipment

• Teletype Model 15 KSR, on base s/n 213102 (Keyboard and Page Printer) - DOWN - need to build power supply (otherwise works)
• Teletype Model 19 Set (Keyboard, Page Printer, Transmitter-Distributor, Table, Counter, Inverter) - DOWN - need to rewire
• Teletype Model 28 KSR (Keyboard and Page Printer) - DOWN - need to rebuild

• Teletype Model 14 Type Bar Tape Printer (Western Union Simplex [Tape] Printer 2-D), s/n 19751, on Teletype 14-Type Typing Reperforator Base, s/n 33022. - DOWN - incomplete unit (missing motor and cover; not sure if it ever had a punch or keyboard)

• Teletype Type UA14 Transmitter-Distributor, no s/n, (with tape reader) - DOWN - but looks to be in good shape
• Teletype Type [14] XD Transmitter-Distributor, "14A38" (with tape reader) - DOWN - probably ok
• Teletype [14 Type Transmitter Distributor], no maker's plate, no s/n, property ID tag (?) KC628-43 (with tape reader) -DOWN - incomplete; probably a parts machine
• Teletype 14-P (Transmitter-Distributor, with code wheels), s/n 47501 - DOWN, but looks to be in very good condition

6. Telegraph Line and Switching Equipment

• Signal Corps Switchboard SB66a/FGC, s/n 66 - New Old Stock

7. Stripcasters and Related Equipment

• Elrod Model E, Electric, s/n E 3463 - DOWN - probably works
• Elrod Model E, Gas, Monomelt, s/n E 4129 G - DOWN - awaiting restoration
• See Elrod Molds at the Typefoundry for a catalog of Elrod molds at CircuitousRoot.

8. Stereotype Platemakers and Remelt Furnaces, and Related Equipment

• Hammond EasyKaster 5B, gas, s/n ? - DOWN - must re-orifice gas, restore
• Hammond EasyKaster ?, electric, s/n ? - DOWN - doesn't heat
• [I do not yet have an inventory of pig molds.]

9. Printing Presses

• Chandler & Price Galley Proof Press - UP
• Chandler & Price 10x15 New Series - DOWN - need rollers, one gripper
• Nolan No. 1 Proof Press - DOWN - unexamined
• Multigraph - DOWN - unexamined

10. Composing Room Equipment

• Miller Trim-O-Saw - DOWN - in cold storage, awaiting restoration
• Nelson Cost-Cutter - DOWN - in cold storage; it worked when I got it, but now the motor won't spin up.
• Hammond Glider - DOWN - needs power

• Rouse Economy Vertical Miterer s/n E1340 - DOWN - probably ok; check
• Rouse Economy Vertical Miterers/n E1345 - DOWN - probably ok; check
• Rouse American Slug Shears - (four broken ones that I need to rebuild into one working one)

• Honig Multiple Broach - DOWN - needs a cleanup

• Hamilton Imposing Table - in cold storage

11. Bindery Equipment

• Wire Stitcher - DOWN - in cold storage, awaiting restoration
• Hobby-level bookbinding frame kit - DOWN - need to assemble

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