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Thread: Handy No1 Press

  1. #1
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    Default Handy No1 Press

    According to ebay seller:
    I am offering an antique, early 1900's cast iron " Handy No. 2" Book Binding Press, produced by R.H. Smith Manufacturing Co., in Springfield, MA. Very solid and quite heavy. This item has a wonderful patina, and does not contain any cracks or breaks. It measures approximately 13" long, 8" wide, and 8" high when the press is in it's downward position. It operates smoothly, driven by a 8 3/4" wheel.
    Sold for

    US $210.99 another for US $330

    $_57-11.jpg$_57-13.jpg$_57-14.jpg$_57-15.jpg$_57-16.jpg



    Mine is an identical item but smaller a Handy No1. and is 5" wide. Is it a book press being so small? Why would it have come out of a machine shop?? Also to my knowledge book presses don't have an extended table.

    It was patented in 1904.

    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  2. #2
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    Default

    Mine










    The girlfriend just saw it and wants to put it on the desk in her office as a decoration....I suggested she could press flowers in it....maybe I should let her have it, in the hopes that I can corrupt her and get bigger machines into the houseHandy No1 Press
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  3. #3
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DSEL74 View Post
    Mine is an identical item but smaller a Handy No1. and is 5" wide. Is it a book press being so small? Why would it have come out of a machine shop?? Also to my knowledge book presses don't have an extended table. It was patented in 1904.
    Hi DSEL,
    I would say that it is a book press, used for such items as Bibles, Engineers Manuals, etc. Could have been in a machine shop, for use as something else? The smaller book presses could have an extended table to assist in the preparation of said books, getting ready to slide the next one in.
    Kryn

  4. #4
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    Default

    It is a Vulcanizer & Moulding Press. It is meant to be heated and take a thermometer in the little hole in the top. It could be heated with gas, paraffin (kerosene). Looks like it was for moulding rubber stamps??

    Pity the photo isn't more legible.

    $_12-2.JPG$_57-18.jpg

    There was also a No3 & 4.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  5. #5
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    Default

    Well there you go, you learn something every day. You could have run a competition with this, the prize could be free membership to the metalwork forum.

  6. #6
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    Default Is it for sale?

    DESEL74,

    Don't suppose your little press is for sale?

    I have a perfect use for it, embossing stamps into damp leather.

    Ken

  7. #7
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    Petone, NZ
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    Default

    That looks great!
    Quote Originally Posted by DSEL74 View Post
    The girlfriend just saw it and wants to put it on the desk in her office as a decoration....I suggested she could press flowers in it....maybe I should let her have it, in the hopes that I can corrupt her and get bigger machines into the houseHandy No1 Press
    Yup. If you don't sell it to Ken, I think that would be a great strategy. Keeping sweet with SWMBO is worthwhile .

    Cheers, Vann.
    Gatherer of rusty planes tools...

  8. #8
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    Default

    Sorry not for sale….

    It's a pity that the little legs are missing. Also missing on the other two I found on ebay USA, so I haven't seen a complete one yet, other than the catalog.

    My strategy might actually be working I brought home a large wooden pulley off an old line shaft yesterday and left it by the door after giving it a good soaking with kero as it had some borer holes. As the girlfriend was leaving this morning she saw it and said that could look nice in the lounge room, what is it?
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  9. #9
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    Jan 2016
    Location
    Louisiana
    Posts
    1

    Default My press

    Love your press! Thought I would show you guys mine. Its an Apex No12 by the same company. The link should take you to some photos and some information I recieved from the museum in Springfield Mass where the company was headquartered.

    https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resi...hint=folder%2c

  10. #10
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    Feb 2009
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    moonbi nsw Aus
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    Default

    What is it about rusty and heavy cast iron that requires our attention?
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    MASS, USA
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    Default Handy Vulcanizer & Moulding Press W STAND.

    Hi I am new to this site, I collect Book presses, and other antiques.
    I do have an old complete with stand. All is great shape — still has
    the " gas burner " under the stand. I will send update images to
    serious buyers. I live in Massachusetts — press is in my barn.
    VERY VERY HEAVY — I can hardly move (and I'm Army (vet) strong).


    Vulcanizer & Moulding Press.jpg
    Last edited by merrill1960; 2nd Feb 2016 at 08:53 AM. Reason: more info

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    MASS, USA
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    Default

    Hi Ken, I have a RH Smith Mfg Co Handy vulcanizer WITH Stand — very heavy — all in great shape. My Press is the Barn as they say, I live in Massachusetts USA. — TOM

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