I was contemplating a press for Anna’s lino cuts and other prints. As a hobby, it’s no different to any other in that equipment is rare, specialised, highly sought and commensurately priced. The cheapest (being a bit over a grand) was not unworthy and if you take into account how much I spend on my own hobbies, probably underpriced.

So, with 2 weeks to spare, I was on my way back from Melbourne and realised I’d bought stuff for me (CDs, DVDs, other assorted frippery), and completely neglected the missus.

I happened to visit Anna’s folks and noticed a book press which Anna’s dad had scrounged up. Hmm, rapid change in present direction then and the decision to build a stand for the press was born. I had some pieces of Vic Ash left over from previous projects and as yet unused for others so I thought I’d replicate a simple steel framed equipment stand.

Standing at hip height, the legs splay out at 5 degree angles. Four legs, 5 degrees. No Problem. I’d roughly cut up the timber and have them ready for sanding at TAFE. I’d have to match the leg angles half way down for extra stability, and I’d biscuit together 40mm timber for the top. Two weeks max.

So, 6 weeks later and a few design changes later… I could just do done, and it would be done, but I could add some things to make it elegant. So:

The legs became the stand itself for strength and support of the top and the press. I’d found some pieces of discarded red gum (in the bin!) at TAFE  and so joined and dressed those up for some finer detail work (edging and pull knobs). I left some holes and original weathered sections as features.

There was enough space under the unit, that I decided for the utility of function, a drawer would be nice. Additionally, the drawer created some strange void spaces at the side which I thought I’d fill with some angled hinge compartments, inspired by such things on my po po’s old singer sewing machine. And finally what is space near the bottom unless you fill it with a shelf.

Some lockable wheels, and of course sanding and coating with a waterbased estapol.

Kinda missed the wife’s birthday as a deadline…