Problem: border slide block would not cast
Fix: Left and Right vise were slightly out of adjustment when 30 em line was set. At the 30 em setting, the locking block on the adjusting rod was set so that there was excessive space between border matrix slide block and vise which caused the pump stop to activate when attempting casting. Both left and right vise jaws were adjusted, as well as the em scale guide on the adjusting bar.
Comments: There is a wicked looking brazing repair towards the back of the vise closing lever. At some point in this machine’s history, something caused the lever to crack, or perhaps entirely break off. I'm guessing this happened while Don White was operating this machine in his shop under the Morrision bridge years ago. He loved this machine. As I recall, I believe that Don was the original owner, which is a big deal for a small job shop back in the day. I can only imagine that Don’s heart hit the floor right along with the thud of this heavy cast iron lever if that break happened while he was behind the keyboard.
When you see repairs on the machine like this, it sends up the red flags - perhaps this is why the machine is slightly out of adjustment? To prevent what ever caused this break to reoccur? Or did it happen when the vise was lowered to the second position? Just something to ponder before pulling out the wrenches and making bold adjustments. Incremental is the key, and take it slow.
I was happy to (re)discover that the left vise jaw wedge is spring activated, not cam driven, so it gave me a little more confidence that at least the left jaw adjustment wouldn't cause a nasty lever-breaking jam. But again, take it slow, bro. Discovering that spring mechanism was another moment to bow down to the Mergenthaler crew. These engineering features offer yet another a glimpse into the brilliance of Ottmar and his team.
Note to self: Those felts along the left vise jaw wedge need some love.
Following the maintenance steps on page 131, chapter 11 in Linotype Machine Principles, the adjustments were successfully completed, and in the process I ended up with a partial galley of decorative border. Not a bad work day at the C.C. Stern Type Foundry.
