Since graduating from university and finishing my fellowship, I decided that it was time to invest in a printing press. If you don't know already, a decent printing press can cost thousands so I decided to do some research. Turns out, you can convert an old laundry mangle into a printing press quite easily. Just add some stainless steel sleeves on the rollers and a decent baseboard, then you're ready to print! After some intense eBay bidding, I managed to win the auction for a Pioneer cast iron mangle for £60 and on further inspection, it only needed a coat of Hammerite and wood stain. I got in touch with a local metal sheet contractors who were very helpful in making steel sleeves for my rollers unfortunately, when it came to turning the rollers down one was rotten and shattered! Hopefully, the filler they added will last...
Now that I've added an MDF baseboard, I just need some blankets. Despite the complications, it's been a joy to renovate and convert the mangle and I've saved a great deal of money doing it this way. Next project... a hydraulic press perhaps!
The following website also has some fabulous tips regarding mangle to printing press conversion: