DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS??
It’s my new press, currently residing in my new print studio (a.k.a. the downstairs bathroom).
It came up on Craigslist on Friday, and within a couple of hours it was mine. Matt, Stephanie, and I went to pick it up at a studio in Northeast on Saturday. It weighs 200 pounds, so we were very grateful that they had a cart we could use to get it to the car.
At home, we found a guy and his kid there, saying they’d been hired to rake the snow off our roof. I told them we’d be carrying this giant press inside, so he asked if he could help. Not only did he help carry it into the house, he brought it down to the basement himself, and then refused to take any kind of payment. I hope that dude’s good karma lasts forever.
So I’ve been working on assembling a list of items I need to get the press up and running to be able to test it out. The rollers appear to be in really good condition, and it has a chase. I need ink, a brayer, something to roll the ink out on, packing (I’ve read that you can use newsprint or plastic bags), and some furniture and quoins. I plan to get a Boxcar base and use polymer plates, but for now I can just some blocks I have at home.
Oh, and I need something to put the press on. 200lb + moving parts means I need something pretty sturdy.
At any rate, when you get our awesome wedding invites later this year, you can think about how I printed them in the bathroom.
Other things we did this weekend: Friday night was the beer tasting poker game, where I almost doubled my money. Yay! Saturday, we went to the Gophers game in which they trounced #4 Denver, 7-3. Sunday, we accompanied Missy and Joe to see the Houston Aeros (i.e. the Wild’s farm team) vs Peoria Rivermen (best team name ever) at Xcel Center:
We ran some errands, all of which involved coupons. I’m always so proud of myself when we get a good bargain. (I’m especially thrilled that we got the Groupon subscription to the Sunday paper, because now I get coupons and the New York Times crossword puzzle.)
Later in the evening, Matt and I had a romantic and extremely excellent dinner at Bar La Grassa. That was our main Valentine’s celebration, though tonight we’re planning fondue and champagne at home. (While reading love poems to each other and staring deep into each other’s eyes, of course. It’s just how we do.)
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
So stoked for you re: the press! That’s a seriously awesome find.
me too!! i need to work on collecting supplies in the next few weeks, and then can start planning some projects. such as, say, business cards for friends. :)