This is a Reliance 20th Century handpress built by Paul Shniedewend. I found it dismantled and moved it up near my studio. After getting it up to the second floor of the barn, I was afraid to move it again, so I expanded the studio around the press.
The press stands 7 feet tall. It has a 21 x 27 inch platen. It came without corner irons, tympan or frisket. My guess is that it was used for proofing halftones and never had these items. The goal was not to restore the press, but to use it for making prints.
I have fabricated a tympan and frisket which can handle a 24 x 36 sheet. Everything was built from off-the-shelf items found in a hardware store. A frame is attached to the bed to accommodate the oversize tympan. Tools used include a metal cutting blade on a table saw, taps and an arc welder (frisket).I am presenting this design in assistance to anyone who is considering a similar project.
Using a handpress is covered thoroughly in Richard-Gabriel Rummonds excellent book: Printing on the Iron Handpress. In support of handpress activities, Mr. Rummonds has put up a web site which can be found at Handpress.
To view a contemporary handpress with a 31 x 39 inch bed, visit Polymetaal.
