Antique Glass Insulator Press

This press dates from the 1860-1880's. It is an amazing piece of pioneer machinery. The upright bars are solid, not hollow tubing, and are threaded onto huge nuts below the table. The press weighed 1750 pounds when purchased from a scrapyard by a previous owner. I have had it for about 15 years, but have yet to make any molds for it. I thought I would make a juice reamer mold first, and press them in cobalt blue, but I have just been too busy to get to it.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• pioneer
• glass
• factory
• insulators
• glassblowing
• antique
• press
• glass.
• mayne
• island
• foundry

[insulatorchronicles]

I think the small metal piece is a filling guide for glass volume. Something that clips to the side of the mold and is removed when filled. It was wired to the press when I got it, so I just left it there.

[nicoleculver]

Great explanation of how this press would have been used. I can imagine a group of glass workers busy pressing objects with this machine.  Thanks.

[lbrewer42]

Thanks for taking the time to film/explain/share your press's workings. This is an amazing piece of engineering. What is the small metal piece hanging on the side of the machine (around 2:27)?