visualchemist

Yay! My vintage Dick Blick Master Printer Sign Press has arrived, traveling by train across the US with the help of Amy S. from Madison, WI. Not only did I acquire my third press for the studio, but I also made a new friend in the process.

I’ve heard horror stories of people shipping antique presses across the country only to open up a box of scrap metal and “Master P” almost made that casualty list. So, exactly what happens when you ship 66.3 lbs. of solid metal across the US? You cross your fingers and hope it makes it in one piece. Not the case here.

Unfortunately, this old man arrived in more pieces than I would have liked. Master P still functions like he should, so I’m still a happy camper and I will have the pleasure of printing up broadsides/large format pieces for years to come.

The poor guy, though. Somewhere across the country, this press took some hard hits. I’d turn the knob and could hear all his crunchy bits, so with the help of my better half, we (or should I say he), Ed, managed to disassemble the press and we assessed the damage: (1) Friction seems to be the only thing holding up the back end cap piece. (2) The gripper finger lever got tweaked and now leans to the left. (3) The part that sustained the most damage was the height adjustment dial.

The dial had been knocked so hard it cracked and sat cockeyed against the face plate, literally hanging by a “thread.” (Hardy har har) The dial, minus the silver knob, will still spin, but only without the banged up face plates installed. Rest in pieces, you cool irreplaceable priceless retro face plates. It was nice knowing you.