Locking-up

Fastening a forme in the chase by means of quoins (q.v.). The quoins should first be pushed as far as possible with the fingers in such a position that when they are tightly locked up they will stand about four pica ems from the head and foot of the page; if they are driven right up to the side of the chase, or the top of the side or footsticks, the pages get crooked and lift badly. Then by the aid of the mallet and shooting stick they should be gently driven along, those against the footstick first, then those against the sidestick. In this operation the shooting stick should be held almost in an horizontal position, for if held otherwise, not only much of the power is lost, but if of wood the shooting stick is nearly sure to split, and if of iron to slip and injure the stone. The several quarters of the forme should be partially tightened before either quarter is finally locked-up, otherwise the cross-bar may be sprung. The entire forme should be gently planed all over the face before being locked-up. If this be carefully done, a second planing is hardly necessary, providing the justification is perfect and the pages are all of the same length. But as this is seldom the case, the second planing can hardly be dispensed with. It often happens that the quoins, when locked-up wet, so stick to the furniture as to render it troublesome to unlock them. In such cases drive the quoin up a little more, and it will unlock with ease. Before lifting a forme, after it is locked-up, raise it gently a short distance and look under it, to ascertain whether any types are disposed to drop out. If all is right, carry it to the proof press.