As part of test-fitting the parts for lead-and-rule casting, I found that there is a critical size difference between the American and English pump bodies. Both these pumps take a ⅞″ diameter piston. The section of the pump that the…
Category: Equipment Acquisition, Repair, and Maintenance
Converting the Composition Caster to Lead-and-Rule casting
One thing I would like to be able to do with my Monotype Composition Caster is to cast spacing and rule. There is a kit of parts required to make the change-over, and I now have most of the necessary…
18 Point Mould in Pieces Again
With my test casting using the American display mould set up for 18 points I found that the feet of the type were wider (pointwise) than the heads of the type. This was probably due to dirt being caught between…
Making a US Display Mould Spacer—Finishing and Testing
I became so involved in finishing the 18 point display mould spacer that I never took any pictures of the process. Using a flat file, three diamond sharpening “stones” and a wood block coated with polishing compound, I finished the…
Making a US Display Mould Spacer—Roughing
I’ve started making an 18-point spacer for one of my US Monotype display moulds per the drawing in my last post. The material I started with was ⅜×¾″ hot-rolled steel because I had a piece handy. The bar was about…
US Display Mould Spacer Dimensions
I’ve measured all the spacers I have for US Monotype Display mould blade kits. There are two styles (long and short) which correspond to the style of blade front (thin or thick respectively). This drawing shows both superimposed: There seemed…
Measuring US Display Mould Spacers
In order to make an 18 point spacer for use in a US Monotype Display Mould, I first have to determine the dimensions required. I set up a spreadsheet for recording the data and measured the dimensions of all the…
18 Point Frustration
I have some display casting to do in 18 point on my Monotype Composition Caster, but I’m having a tough time finding a set of accessories that will work together to accomplish this. My original intent was to use my…
Fixing up a laboratory scale
Several years ago I purchased at an auction a laboratory scale for doing precision weighing. Up until now it has sat in a corner collecting dust, covered with auction stickers and missing one cover. I recently undertook to clean and…
More home-made Monotype Caster parts
Someone had asked me for some parts for their Monotype Compositon Caster. Like me, he has the pump latch mechanism but he’s missing the modified pump spring rod and spacer sleeve, so he asked me to make a set for…
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