Linotypesetting.com

Linotypesetting.com We mostly do our own thing, but if you need —Commercial hot metal typesetting and composition of classic Linotype and Intertype linecast type and ornament.

Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested in contracting linecasting in composition, or purchasing cast ornament from a vast collection of border slides and matrices, or any sale items I'm offering. I'll respond as soon as possible. I don't sit on the computer or have my phone in my hand, I'm working.

12/03/2025

Pour one out for the late Jerry Spurlock who passed away 5-years ago today, a month shy of his 77th birthday. Some of us remember that Jerry ran SOS Linotype, and was from what I understand, a former business partner of our buddy Dave Dshms LetterPress Seat.

When I brought the Model 31 I had been working on, and with, into my shop in the spring of 2018, Jerry was an important resource for parts to get the machine tuned up and making good materials. I was able to source parts that were missing like the chute that hangs off the back knife and directs the swarf into the bucket hanging off the side of the machine, or missing assembler entrance springs. I got a brand new 4-pocket mold disc that could hold my 18/24 and 30/36 display molds, and a brand new .038 back jaw to cast everything, including 18 and 24pt 2-letter display mats. I got a bunch of mats too, and wish I could have gotten more.

He also encouraged me to do the “stud & block” job necessary when I fitted the new mold disc with fresh studs. He took my calls, and sent along a photo copy of the Star Parts “Shop Talk” that laid out the (lucky?) 13 step process. Dave stopped by the next time he was in New England, checked my work, and signed off on it. I heard from Jerry that they agreed I might do some service calls up this way, but high praise aside, I’m still the acolyte, not the master.

So yeah, take a moment to remember Jerry Spurlock if you knew him, and if you didn’t, wish that you did. I hope he’s barefoot and catching some big ones down the pond.

I STILL can’t post to the Linotype and Intertype Owners and Operators Group so someone might kindly share this there that can….

11/15/2025

Back in 2018 I scooped all the Star Parts “Shop Talk” newsletters the late Greg "LinoFish" Fisher had on his site.

Unfortunately there are many gaps in the run. I’ve been looking for a complete set to add to my reference library, but short of having a full run of paper copies myself, if anyone has a run and would loan them so I could scan them to post, (Dshms LetterPress?) please let me know.

As a community service, here’s a link to what’s currently available:

In the shop resetting lines. It appears that some 10pt Optima mats snuck into the 9pt magazine… How did that happen?What...
11/14/2025

In the shop resetting lines. It appears that some 10pt Optima mats snuck into the 9pt magazine… How did that happen?

Whatever, I got through resetting the five lines and looked at the delivery galley to bring the slug in to proof annnnd…. the galley was empty! What?

I gave the left quadder jaw safety switch a push… and nothing. Huh.

The relay isn’t hardwired, but rather, it plugs in to a power strip. Looked at the strip and the damned thing was unplugged.

At least the machine is warmed up now…

Finally got back to it after Open Studios when I set the poem itself in 12-point Optima. The shop is cold so the Lino wa...
11/04/2025

Finally got back to it after Open Studios when I set the poem itself in 12-point Optima. The shop is cold so the Lino was running a little sluggish. Set up for 9-point Optima regular with italic, on a 10-point slug, 25-pica measure. I chose the 9 because it’s the right size, but also offers the added typographic benefit of old style figures which are super rare.

Now to pull a proof for typos, and to check the rag right on the colophon. I had to rebreak lines on the fly because digital type differs in size from physical type. Some day I’ll make a note of just what the difference is…. I’ve done it for handset Michelangelo because at larger sizes and for cap only faces the difference is significant. At text sizes it’s fractional, but still throws a layout off.

I’d cross post to the Lino and Intertype owners and operators group but I’m still unable. And moderator Keelan Lightfoot’s mentions are disabled so I can’t even get his attention. Come on buddy.

Still can’t post or comment on Linotype and Intertype Owners and Operators group since February. Admin is non-responsive...
09/22/2025

Still can’t post or comment on Linotype and Intertype Owners and Operators group since February. Admin is non-responsive. Kinda frustrating.

These guys were by the shop to take a look at the Model 31. There was some wobble of the vise on lockup. I thought it mi...
09/21/2025

These guys were by the shop to take a look at the Model 31. There was some wobble of the vise on lockup.

I thought it might be either the pot leg bushings, or right hand locking stud, and maybe the locking screw. Dshms had a look and diagnosed the stud and screw end. The machine has a Star Improved locking screw with a replaceable end, and I had a new end in my parts stash. So that was an easy fix.

The stud was a bit more of a process. After we dug through my tools and found the right combination to get into the cramped space above the delivery slide casting where the stud is fixed in place, Chris got the worn stud out. I had a spare of that as well. Except somehow when doing a dry fit, the pin that prevents the stud from rotating in its seat sheared off. WTH? How why would a pin be brittle like that? So be it. Dave had a beautiful spare Star stud in the truck, but dang it, it was an Intertype style. So, the only option was to put the old stud back in and cross our fingers.

Back together, Dave adjusted the locking screw with new end, and I cycled the machine. No more wobble. Success. We debated a back knife adjustment but slugs are coming out with a hair less than .001”deviation from end to end. Not ideal, but close enough for rock n roll? For now anyway.

This coming weekend is Open Studios, so the demos are a go.

Once again we’re on the map (12) and the shop doors will be thrown wide for JP Open Studios this September 27th and 28th...
09/08/2025

Once again we’re on the map (12) and the shop doors will be thrown wide for JP Open Studios this September 27th and 28th. Like years past, the Linotype will be fired up, and put through it’s paces for your delight and edification.

Since I run typographybooks.com there will be a few shelves of rare, used, and antiquarian books on printing, and typography not yet listed on the site to add to your reference libraries, as well as posters, broadsides and ephemera designed and printed here at interrobang.

Also available will be another batch of 10 hardcover copies of Gwendolyn Jensen’s 120-page book of poetry “We Owe the Dead the Truth” which interrobang published in 2023. Set on the Linotype, printed in 2-colors on the Vandercook, and hand-bound, the edition of 75 hard covers is half sold through. If there’s time I’ll also have 10 softcover copies made up. The trade paperback is now out of print.

The holidays are just around the corner, no better time than to commission custom greeting cards, or choose from the dwindling stock still on hand.

We hope to see you.

hey Keelan, have I been blocked from posting? I tried sharing the post below this to the Group but see “commenting is tu...
06/03/2025

hey Keelan, have I been blocked from posting? I tried sharing the post below this to the Group but see “commenting is turned off,” except it’s not for others.

a few days ago I cast multiples of a couple Dwiggins Caravan borders, a hand-pegged line of 12pt Caslon Text, and some 3...
06/01/2025

a few days ago I cast multiples of a couple Dwiggins Caravan borders, a hand-pegged line of 12pt Caslon Text, and some 30 pica curly brackets.

quadded right, a few fine adjustments to the right side bearing set screw got the slides centered on the slugs. the machine is all the better for it, and casting very well.

the face and feet look great. Clean metal, a clean plunger, mouthpiece, and pot drossed after each session make all the difference in producing good material.

when casting slides I go slow. The Mohr Measure Control only opens the Hydraquadder jaws to 30.3 picas so when the First Elevator descends it’s a slip fit getting that slide block down in front of the mold. I’d prefer the block not bang into the quadder jaws on descent. Years ago I went to cast a slide and somehow the slideblock kept being shoved into the auxiliary position. So the first cast is always with a bit of trepidation. But go slow. Check the block in the FE jaws between each cast. The block will ride right over the FE jaw front and back pawls. Resist the temptation to push the block left. Again, taking care of those quadder jaws.

Interestingly, I switched the fan on to keep the mold cool while casting on the 18/24 mold, and noticed the face on the right end get a little reticulated. Shut the fan off again. I guess the mold wanted to be hot.

Here’s a brain teaser. As I was setting a few lines recently for a menu, on distribution, the dist box started making an...
04/01/2025

Here’s a brain teaser. As I was setting a few lines recently for a menu, on distribution, the dist box started making an uncharacteristic click, and mats failed to be pushed out onto the distributor bar. huh. So I pulled the box, and dumped the mats to examine them.

Since I was setting shortish lines, I was starting and ending each with a few quads. Among the quads I slid out were these two. Both face the same direction with reference side toward bottom.

What was the problem?

We’ve a mouse problem, and in an effort to control them, and root out what and where they’ve gotten into, I’ve been open...
02/23/2025

We’ve a mouse problem, and in an effort to control them, and root out what and where they’ve gotten into, I’ve been opening boxes of ephemera on bottom shelves in the library. In one, (unsoiled) I found the Linograph sales catalog I knew was around here somewhere…

Linograph was a short-lived competitor to Linotype, but I’m unaware if Intertype had yet been spun off by executives from Mergenthaler as patents expired. It’s undated, so it’s an open question someone else might have an answer to. Not unexpected, the (rusty) staples have seen better days, but overall, it’s complete and in good shape for its age.

why complicate it. gotta play it where it lays. yep, studs are wonky and the old spring is bodged up. but it came apart,...
01/11/2025

why complicate it. gotta play it where it lays.

yep, studs are wonky and the old spring is bodged up. but it came apart, it’ll go back together. teflon tape tightened up the left.

spring too long.
shorten spring.
that fixed that.

new rod abt .014 taller than old.
bottom of old rod sawn off. huh?
the old one had only the barest contact just under the hook between the horizontal lever that pushes into/is kept by the rod when the clutch trips. sorry I’m too lazy right now to look up part names tonight. you know, the thing there…

got a brass brush and cleaned up first elevator slide follower roll lever.

put the first elevator jaw height alignment block back on the bottom of the slide; square head set screw un-changed.

finish putting it all back together.

Someone remind me how many .00x clearence between gibs and slide? .003–5 iirc.

time to eat. movin on.

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