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| At last we have a new gauge pin for users of hand fed platen presses. These are a combination of two designs introduced by Magill back in the 1890s. As the inventor of the new gauge pin relates:
Here's something new in the Letterpress world, Henry Elliptical Gauge Pins.
I've been producing Henry Compressible Gage Pins for many years, but there has always been a need for pins which were more durable and for tougher service on the platen press. Many of the metal pins are no longer made, so a modern alternative will fill the gap. The pins combine the features of two pins developed in the 19th century.
With the assistance of Anthony Riesen of the North Iowa Area Community College Innovation Lab for design assistance, and John Barrett or Letterpress Things for advice and initial testing, the pins are now on the market.
The polymer and metal fabricated pins are designed so that slight changes in register can be made by loosening the pin's top nut, and rotating the body slightly to advance or recede to get the paper in register on the platen. There is also a straight edge so the pins may be used as their metal counterparts were.
Early prototypes were too high for use with conventional furniture, but the final design is thin enough to clear standard height furniture. You do. However, have to keep them away for aluminum bases or high leads and slugs.
The pins come in sets of three in a matchbook-style package which includes instructions for their use. NA Graphics was part of the initial testing phase of the new gauge pins. |
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