Category: Things we do

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

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

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,

Howard Iron Works Print Expo & Fair 2025

We’ve just received advance notice that this year’s Howard Iron Works Print Expo & Fair will be on Saturday, September 27th, from 10am-4pm, and will feature as special guest Amos Kennedy, Jr. We’ll be there with our selection of stuff

Initial Work on the New Type & Rule Caster

While the weather was good for working outside I started to work on getting the new Type & Rule caster operational again, for now concentrating on the pot and pump side of things. The caster is fitted with a bottom-crank

An Addition to the Type Foundry

Two years ago I found out that this Monotype caster, fitted for strip casting, was available for free in the Toronto area. Unfortunately, at the time, I had no room for it and needed to expand our shop space to

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