R.S.N. ReCreations Venturing to provide tools for others

So you want to cut punches and cast type in a hand mould, as it was done for nearly four hundred years?  Great!  But you are going to need tools, some of which are sold by jewelery and machinist suppliers. Others must be purchased as antiques, or you make them yourself.  At least that was the case in years past.  Times are changing.

R.S.N. ReCreations intends to supply a range of typefounder's implements, starting with several varieties of type moulds and ladles.  Other items will be added as time allows.  All of these tools will be based upon authentic sources, and produce accurate type bodies.  The American point system is followed, unless otherwise specified.  All moulds are individually crafted, to order, although an attempt will be made to keep some items in stock.

Modified French style mould, with upper and lower registers.  Body screwed from the front (as in some German moulds.)

Moulds are an essential first step in making type by hand, for punches are cut to fit upon a particular type

body, and matrices cannot be fitted, or justified, without a mould. But, other tools are equally essential.      Typefounders use a variety of special ladles, ranging in size (much like measuring spoons) according to the body and width of the type being cast.  In fact, you can adapt steel measuring spoons to this task, but properly made, authent ic ladles are so much more pleasant to use.      Moulds come with an unusual nut, used to secure the wood insulators, and this requires a special "screwdriver," which comes in two forms.

Ladle and screwdriver, with lacquered hard-wood handles.

Prices are available upon request.

Here are a few other views of typemoulds recently made in our workshop.  The first two are additonal views of the 18 point modified French mold.  Following that are views of a replica of an ancient type mould in the collection of the Plantin-Moretus Museum, in Antwerp. I made this as an 18 point (Great Primer) version of the original mold.  Note the funnel shaped mouthpiece -- the distinctive feature of this early design, which is less efficient than the later form of mouthpiece; but simpler to make.

As soon as I am able to master the skill of loading images into this site, I will provide additional views of moulds that I make, since a picture is worth a thousand words.  You'll see several earlier 'French' style moulds that have the distinctive 'male' and 'female' gauges.  Such were widely used, kept their accuracy pretty well, and are nice to cast with.       Each mould requires in excess of forty hours to construct and 'justify' so that it will make accurate type.  This final 'fitting' is essential if the mould is to be useful, but it involves taking the mould apart numerous times, with minute alterations made during each cycle of dissassembly and reassembly.  It isn't done until it's done.       The American point system is used as the standard, with the body ground closely to the correct size.  Some allowance can be made for the expansion of the mould, due to the heat of casting; but this is best accomplished by measuring types cast when the mould is hot, and adjusting accordingly. While every effort is made to achieve perfection, type cast in a hand mould is less likely to equal the accuracy of machine cast foundry type.  In practice, however it is certainly good workable type.       If the e-mail link below does not work, contact RSN ReCreations at                         RSN_ReCreations@hotmail.com

Due to the press of work and life in general, the catalogue promised here has not been completed yet.  In the meantime a package of color pictures, drawings, and a price list is available upon request as long as supplies last. Please write or email. 10310 Newgate Court, Ellicott City, Md. 21042

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