Running Foil from Outside the Windmill
Here is a great idea so you can run the larger rolls of Foil from outside your press when you have to cover an area up to 3 inches wide. You can build this unit with a little mechanical skill. Being a Letterpress Operator you probably can handle it. Follow the Pictures and the Description and you'll get the idea.
The feed board is cut out of particle board with a stud to hold the foil roll with a base and washer on top with a spring and another washer and a collar for adjusting tension on foil so it will track properly. And a few 1/4 inch pins along the way to weave the foil through.
The foil enters the press and is feed over a turn plate and directed up over the die and to the draw mechanism. You can see the clearance at the downward position of the roller is a little critical. Play with the position of the guide pins to get the feed you want. I found that a little contact of the roller carrier and the foil had little effect on the process. You may also notice that the delivery guide arm was removed from the press. Not always necessary.
Here is a simple turn guide made from a piece of galvanized tin folded at 45 degrees over a round dowel to form a nice smooth finish and bolted to the chase with a single bolt below where the gauges run so it can be adjusted to regulate foil travel.
