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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 Swiveling Bolt / Press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 3 5 5 6 7 8 8 9

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

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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. Combine this with the abilities of 3D printing and laser-cutting technology, and its boundaries are expanded with the introduction of type with different fonts, sizes, and effects, as well as possible decals. Alas, I lack either a 3D-printer or a laser-cutter, forcing me to make improvisations. However, after seeing the Epilog V challenge, I decided to submit this instructible, and hopefully acquire a laser-printer to make this project what it was truly meant to be.

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

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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

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.

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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

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

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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 Swiveling Bolt / Press

In this step, we will be creating the main force behind the printing press; the swiveling bolt and 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 the metal ring down the bolt. 5. Hot glue the ring to the piece of wood, not the bolt. the bolt should now swivel smoothly.

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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 / press 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.

Image Notes 1. Pretend this is a dowel

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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 / swiveling press 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.

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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!

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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 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.

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Step 11: Some Notes

About this project: - This project was the culmination of my growing interest in historic inventions and love of building. I feel that this project could be taken to much further lengths when coupled with laser-cutting technology, as all pieces of wood in the press can be cut using a vector-file, and engraved to ones liking with designs or personalization. I would especially be fascinated to learn how laser-engraved decals would work in this press, and if they would be reminiscent of early woodcut prints. 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 P.S. I hope that I have earned your vote!

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