Year: 2025

Dredging up Old Junk in My Mind

When working on the computer to set up Monotype casting jobs, one thing one must specify is the Normal Wedge (commonly just called “the wedge”). This is a narrow wedge-shaped accessory to the caster which determines how wide the type

Casting Disaster!

This week I’ve been trying to wrap up a type casting job on my Monotype Composition Caster, when an internal part on my 12-point Lanston mould broke. I had been casting some 12-point low spaces, and when I got down

Marshville Heritage Festival, Aug 30th-Sept 1st 2025

The Marshville Heritage Society will be holding their annual Marshville Heritage Festival over Labour Day weekend, Saturday August 30th-Monday, September 1st, 2025. The fair runs from 10am-5pm each day and is located on the fairgrounds next to the Wainfleet Arena

New Monotype Control PCB Test

I’ve populated my new PCB with components and after a bit of fiddling, I’ve run a test on it and everything appears to work. The board has a few problems that had to be patched over, including: A missing trace

Our New Type-and-rule Caster in Motion

I’ve cobbled a motor mount and installed a new drive belt, and our new type-and-rule caster now runs: It still needs work, though. For one thing, the belt either needs tension adjustment or some belt dressing so it doesn’t slip

A PCB for the Monotype Computer Interface

I’ve been slowly plugging away (apparently, for at least 9 years!) at an interface to control my Monotype Composition Caster using a computer. The caster was originally designed to be controlled by a 31-channel punched paper ribbon, which is read

Two workshops in August

We’ve scheduled two workshops for Saturdays in August: Introductory Papermaking on August 16th 2025 Introductory Western marbling on August 23rd 2025 Both workshops will take place at our shop in New Dundee, and run from 9am to 4pm with a

Pin Marks on Type at the Mackenzie Printery

I was recently asked about a marking a friend had seen on some type, wondering if it could be from the Montreal Type Foundry, or even if such a place ever existed. First, a bit of type-casting technology: Since the

Swing Frame Removal, Part 2

On our new Type and Rule Caster I want to replace the swing frame assembly with one where the crank to raise and lower the pot is above the pot rather than below it, to avoid needing to have my

What’s Inside a Paper Pulley

The motor that came with our recently-acquired Monotype Type and Rule Caster was fitted with 2″ a pulley suitable for a flat drive belt to run the caster. Such pulleys are shaped with a bit of a crown, that is,

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