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DSEL74
24th Aug 2015, 05:48 PM
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




357498357499357500357501357502



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.

http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/thumb/5/54/Im1907MF-Smi.jpg/402px-Im1907MF-Smi.jpg

DSEL74
24th Aug 2015, 09:00 PM
Mine
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/24/ed17eac5457a42a009e0051b682be672.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/24/60fd75c58766bc4b1d6ac303b713f556.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/24/488a988e23142e1970f0cd9d26584e3b.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/24/c7f7fbf2a2b0d3e3e8fb1cdeece75487.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/24/159daf5ecd2271e25155e4ea7da1cab4.jpg

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 house[emoji12]

KBs PensNmore
24th Aug 2015, 10:17 PM
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

DSEL74
25th Aug 2015, 10:48 AM
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.

357588357589

There was also a No3 & 4.

KBs PensNmore
26th Aug 2015, 12:24 AM
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. :D

neksmerj
26th Aug 2015, 12:51 AM
DESEL74,

Don't suppose your little press is for sale?

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

Ken

Vann
26th Aug 2015, 07:10 AM
That looks great!

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 house[emoji12]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.

DSEL74
26th Aug 2015, 11:06 AM
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?:doh:

Belle Rouge de
16th Jan 2016, 08:41 PM
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?resid=46CE72DB21F32B0!127&authkey=!AOHkn2xah4uBSV8&ithint=folder%2c

chambezio
17th Jan 2016, 03:31 PM
What is it about rusty and heavy cast iron that requires our attention?

merrill1960
2nd Feb 2016, 08:51 AM
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).


360787

merrill1960
2nd Feb 2016, 09:06 AM
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