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Desktop Printing Press

by MU5ICI4N on May 26, 2013 Table of Contents Desktop Printing Press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro: Desktop Printing Press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 1: Materials & Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 2: Cutting Wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 3: Drilling 5/8th Inch Plywood Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 4: Drilling 1/4th Inch Plywood Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 5: Creating the Platen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 6: Begin Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 7: Finishing Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 8: Creating the Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 9: Making the Movable Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 10: Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 8 9

Step 11: Some Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

Author:MU5ICI4N
15 year old aspiring maker, builder, and creator. I love to play guitar, and create strange and wonderful creations! Carpentry, projectiles, Arduino, and miscellaneous creations are my fortes.

Intro: Desktop Printing Press

In my history class, I recently learned about Johannes Gutenberg and the role he played in the foundations for the Renaissance. I found myself captivated by his invention of the printing press, a revolutionary technology utilizing movable, inked type that could produce hundreds of Identical prints. I found myself asking "What would a modern re-imagining of this classic invention look like?" Before long, I had developed the idea for a desktop-based, "mini" printing press that used flash cards. I cut all pieces of wood for this printer by hand, however, all pieces can be cut using a laser-cutter. I feel that this project is perfect for a laser-cutter, and its boundaries could be expanded greatly with one. therefore, I have entered his instructable into the Epilog V challenge to try and win an Epilog zing 16 and make this project what it was always meant to be. If I did win the laser cutter, here are some of the things that I could dotest numerous vector files for all of the wood pieces and share the best ones here- through trial and error, I could create correct templates that fit together just like the original press, and share them on this instructable cut custom wooden type with varying fonts and decals- I feel that I have been greatly restricted with foam craft letters for printing. With a laser cutter, I could cut varying type with different sizes and fonts, and also cut out decals for printing. create limitless identical & improved presses- I could easily manufacture printing presses with a template and some simple construction, and experiment with new features and mechanisms. engrave the numerous pieces of the press- with the ability to engrave wood, I could customize each press with laser-engraved decals or pictures to try and replicate how an early printing press would have looked. try to engrave pictures to achieve a woodcut print- something I have been curious about since I started this project is if I could create 'woodcut' printspictures carved into wood that are inked and then pressed. With a laser-cutter, I could easily create numerous woodcuts for more varied printing capabilities. A laser cutter would be an incredible asset for me for future projects, as well, and would also greatly help my FRC robotics team. anyways, on to step 1!

Step 1: Materials & Tools

For this project, you will need: MATERIALS -Masking tape -Strips of adhesive velcro (more than is pictured) -Ink pad (used in stamping) -foam letters (if you have a laser cutter or 3D printer, these are not necessary) -1/2 inch bolt (approx. 5 inches) -1/2 inch nut PLYWOOD -5/8 inch -1/4 inch NOT PICTURED -12 wood screws approx. 1/2 inch long TOOLS -Wood saw (unnecessary if you have a laser-cutter) -Handheld drill -Hot glue gun -Scissors -Screwdriver

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

DRILL BITS -1/2 inch -1 inch NOT PICTURED -Drill bit for 1/2 inch long wood screws

Step 2: Cutting Wood

Begin by cutting: 5/8 INCH PLYWOOD -10 by 3 and 1/8th (1 piece) - 2 and 1/2 by 3 and 1/8th (3 pieces) 1/4 INCH PLYWOOD -5 by 3 (1 piece) -2 and 1/2 by 6 (2 pieces) For this step, you can use a hand saw, or use a laser cutter by creating a vector image.

Image Notes 1. 10 by 3 and 1/8th 2. 2 and 1/2 by 3 and 1/8th 3. 2 and 1/2 by 3 and 1/8th 4. 2 and 1/2 by 3 and 1/8th 5. 5 by 3 6. 2 and 1/2 by 6 7. 2 and 1/2 by 6 8. 2 and 1/2 by 6

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

Step 3: Drilling 5/8th Inch Plywood Holes

Now, we will drill all of the holes in the wooden pieces. 1. drill a 1/2 inch hole in the center of two of the '2 and 1/2 by 3 and 1/8th' pieces. 2. bore a 1 inch hole into the other '2 and 1/2 by 3 and 1/8th' piece, making sure not to go all the way through. 3. measure and mark the '10 by 3 and 1/8th' piece into quarters. Next, mark two dots 1/2 inch in from the sides of the 2nd quarter. Do this on both sides. (See picture for details) 4. Mark two dots on each '2 and 1/2' side of the two '2 and 1/2 by 3 and 1/8th' pieces, 1/2 inch in from the sides, as before. 5.Drill all of these dots with the drill bit for the wood screws.

Image Notes 1. 1/2 inch hole 2. 1/2 inch hole

Image Notes 1. 1 inch bored hole

Image Notes 1. 2nd quarter 2. measure on the other side as well

Image Notes 1. 2nd quarter

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

Image Notes 1. holes drilled 2. holes drilled 3. holes drilled 4. other side as well 5. other side as well 6. other side as well

Step 4: Drilling 1/4th Inch Plywood Holes

Now, take the two '2 and 1/2 by 6' pieces of 1/4th inch plywood and mark the holes and lines to cut according to the photograph. Next, drill all of these holes and cut out the area in the middle. (drill using the same drill bit for the wood screws)

Step 5: Creating the Platen

In this step, we will be creating the main force behind the printing press; the platen, the block of wood for pushing down. 1. Drill a hole large enough to accommodate the wooden dowel about 2 inches from the top of the 1/2 inch bolt. (make sure to use proper technique when drilling the steel- lubrication and a steel drill bit are essential) 2.The dowel should now fit nicely through this hole. It will serve as the "handle" for moving the bolt. 3.place the bolt on top of the '2 and 1/2 by 3 and 1/8th' piece of wood with the 1 inch hole bored into it. 4. Next, slide a metal ring/washer down the bolt. 5. Hot glue the metal ring/washer to the piece of wood, not the bolt. the bolt should now swivel smoothly.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

Step 6: Begin Construction

In this step, we will bring together all of the pieces of wood that were just drilled. 1.Begin by screwing the two '2 and 1/2 by 6' pieces of wood into the '10 by 3 and 1/8th' piece (the base). Make sure that four drilled holes remain above the cut- out piece, and that the cut out piece points towards the long end of the base. 2. Next, after placing the bolt / platen flat in between the two '2 and 1/2 by 6' pieces, slide the two other '2 and 1/2 by 3 and 1/8th' pieces (with the 1/2 inch hole drilled in the center) down the bolt, and screw them into their corresponding holes on the '2 and 1/2 by 6' piece.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

Image Notes 1. Pretend this is a dowel

Step 7: Finishing Construction

Now, we will complete construction of the main press by gluing the nut for the bolt to turn through. 1.when the bolt / platen is at a good location, screw the nut on and hot glue it to the wood. 2. your press should now look like the final picture.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

Step 8: Creating the Tray

It is now time to create the tray on which the movable type and flashcard will rest. 1. Take the '5 by 3' piece of plywood and cover it with strips of adhesive velcro. Use the thread-loop variation for this.

Step 9: Making the Movable Type

Finally, it is time to construct the movable type that will be used. I am using foam letters for this, however the exact same steps still apply if you are using laser-cut or 3D printed letters / decals. 1. take a sample of the letters that you want and lay them out, exactly as you would like to see them. 2. Next, take a piece of velcro (the nylon hook variation) enough to cover all of the letters. 3.cut the velcro into pieces just large enough to cover each letter. 4. apply the adhesive side of the velcro to the tops of the letters. 5. turn all of the letters around, and you should see your letters inverted. 6. the movable type is done!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

Step 10: Printing

all of the components have been completed, so it is time to dive into the technique of printing! NOTE- make sure yo cover your work area with newspaper, as ink can ruin any carpet or floor. 1. arrange all of the movable type on top of the tray as desired, completely inverted. 2.using the ink pad, gently apply ink to all of the letters. 3. stick two 5 inch pieces of masking tape halfway on each side of the tray. 4.Next, place the flashcard on top of the tray. 5. wrap the masking tape up onto the flashcard, holding it in place. 6. Finally, press the tray / flashcard by turning the bolt clockwise with the dowel. (in two stages, as the press can only print 1/2 of the flashcard at a time) 7.Enjoy your print! NOTE- as foam letters are a long shot from being the perfect material for movable type, my print may appear grainy and oversized. However, with laser-cut wooden or plastic letters, this could be eliminated, and letters would appear crisp and could be made smaller.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

Step 11: Some Notes

About this project: - This project was the culmination of my growing interest in historic inventions and love of building. I hope to expand on it, and with a laser cutter I could easily produce modified presses with additional features. Since this project is potentially an almost completely-laser cut project, it could be a great introduction to laser-cutting and assembling. This is only my second Instructible, so any constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated! Regards, MU5ICI4N

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

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Comments
26 comments Add Comment

tritian says:
so in essence, you built a big old stamp? looks fun to build! =D

May 31, 2013. 6:16 AM REPLY

jhall30 says:
Yup, it's a stamp! An awesome, awesome stamp.

Jul 17, 2013. 10:52 AM REPLY

davtheman223 says:
This has inspired inspired me I might make my own design. if I do I will message you thanks for the quality instructable

May 31, 2013. 7:17 PM REPLY

abbytex says:
Marvelous creative summer project!

May 30, 2013. 10:23 AM REPLY

MU5ICI4N says:
Thank you!

May 31, 2013. 5:55 AM REPLY

takeshi says:

May 30, 2013. 5:45 PM REPLY

MU5ICI4N says:

May 31, 2013. 5:54 AM REPLY

tpobrienjr says:
I like it! It is simple, it works, and it has the look of an old press.

May 30, 2013. 9:32 AM REPLY

MU5ICI4N says:
Thanks!

May 31, 2013. 5:52 AM REPLY

grumpygrady says:

May 30, 2013. 2:34 PM REPLY great little printer , and if someone wanted it to be faster they could make the top of the bolt smaller and chuck it up in a reversible drill to run the platen up and down faster and then the frame would not need the cut outs just a thought or two but I will be building one of these if not for anything else than making for sale signs lol

MU5ICI4N says:

May 30, 2013. 3:50 PM REPLY Thanks for the suggestion! I think I may leave it as is and without a drill, because I would like to remain faithful to the history. But I may try it, just to see how it works.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

abbytex says:
A marvelous summer project for creative play! Un proyecto maravilloso en el verano par creatividad! www.AnnabethParker.com

May 30, 2013. 10:21 AM REPLY

lunarmagpie says:
This is really awesome! I admire your creativity and imagination.

May 28, 2013. 12:17 PM REPLY

MU5ICI4N says:
Thank you!

May 28, 2013. 3:18 PM REPLY

enginepaul says:

May 28, 2013. 2:39 PM REPLY Couple of comments from an old letterpress printer: Yes, you can die-cut with that type of press but the pressures may require to add more bolts to fasten the frame uprights to the bed. The platen (the part that screws down to press the paper to the type) may need strengthening if lots of type is used. I do like your idea. Another history AND business note: Gutenberg had to sue the guy who ordered the bible that made him famous and he never collected.

MU5ICI4N says:

May 28, 2013. 3:03 PM REPLY enginepaul, If I ever did utilize this press for shearing or die-cutting, I will take that advice into account. However, for the most part I will be using this for the occasional odd print, and I am fairly confident that the frame can withstand that. Also, I had never heard that before! Gutenberg never fails to surprise me. May 28, 2013. 2:30 PM REPLY

redrok says:
I understand the historical thing. But, it would be much easier to operate if a small hydraulic "bottle" jack was used instead of the screw. redrok

MU5ICI4N says:

May 28, 2013. 2:56 PM REPLY Redrok, I had never thought of using hydraulics. Im sure that a bottle jack would work great if this was to be used for industrial purposes, however this is more suited towards smaller-scale jobs.

Balord says:

May 28, 2013. 1:31 PM REPLY One change I might suggest is turn your top plat over (hot glued nut UNDER plate would hold much more pressure). I also assume this is more of a novelty type "invention", also for this size apparatus you might want to either use a shorter press frame or longer bolt so you could put the handle above the frame for faster operation AND a stronger frame.

MU5ICI4N says:

May 28, 2013. 2:53 PM REPLY Thanks for the suggestion! I understand what you mean about the location of the nut, and the same thought crossed my mind as I was building this. However, upon building the frame I noticed that the thread on the bolt only went so far, so I was forced to place the nut on top of the frame to maximize maneuverability. May 28, 2013. 3:39 AM REPLY

nanosec12 says:
The only improvement I would add to this project is that it needs to be entered into some of the contests.... who knows you could verywell win your own epilog laser cutter !!!

MU5ICI4N says:
Thanks! As of now, it is pending approval in the Epilog V contest.

May 28, 2013. 4:57 AM REPLY

Boygasmo says:
Nice one!!! I was wondering if I could create a press for dye cutters. This would be perfect for that method as well.

May 27, 2013. 4:38 PM REPLY

MU5ICI4N says:

May 27, 2013. 5:44 PM REPLY Thanks, thats a great idea! I had never considered it to be used for cutting or shearing, but I'm sure it could work! I would love to see somebody try.

Boygasmo says:
Yeah. Could spray the bottom wood with adhesive and add the cutting foam.

May 27, 2013. 6:29 PM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/

Computothought says:
Cool.

May 27, 2013. 5:34 AM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Printing-Press/