All the connecting parts being marked, or indented by points, if these be
observed carefully, the press may be put together without difficulty.
After setting the frame upon its legs, and putting on the ribs and bed,
lay the platen on the bed, placing under it two bearers about type high.
Then put the springs in their places, and the nuts over them, and pass
the suspending-rods through them, observing to place the rods so that
the number of indentations on them correspond with those on the platen.
Give the nuts two or three turns, then run in the bed so as to bring the
platen under the rods, and screw them fast to the platen; after which,
put in the bar-handle, standard, and lever, (or wedge and knees, if a
Smith press.) Turn the nuts on the suspending-rods, so as to compress
the springs just enough to give the platen a quick retrograde motion,
observing at the same time to get the surface of the platen parallel with
the surface of the bed.
After having put the press together and levelled it by means of a
spirit-level, be particular not to raise the end of the ribs by the
gallows, but let it go under rather loose, which will have a tendency to
make the bed slide with more ease on the ribs.