An article about the press and its development has just been published in Printmaking Today Winter 2011 issue.  See 
printmaking today for the current issues and how to order.

This video show the platen mechanism in action as a plate is being slid in to print.  The creaking is not from the wood, but from the compression of the screws under the pressure.  Maurice wishes to see if this can be 'removed,' but I rather like it.  Either way, it is not a bad sign!

Images of the first testing of the press at Maurice's house where the press was constructed.  I was initially testing a wood cut which had both large areas of solid and areas of detail to assess the capabilities of the press.  Our first testings were very successful, showing that the press is able to produce high pressure to print solid areas.  It was very interesting to work with the press because I have never used such a mechanism/design before and thus there were many little details that I had to get used to in order to work successfully with the press.  But, this is like and printing press.  They are all unique and all have their individual personalities that need to be understood.

A shot showing the side of the platen and pressure arm mechanism.  The springs are incredibly strong and even if I place my full weight onto the top platen, they hardly contract.  This illustrates how much pressure the mechanism is applying as they compress easily when using the lever.

A detail of the beech end to the pressure arm.  The beech is very hard wearing and will maintain its spherical shape.  The hole in the top platen serves both as a locating device and it also allows the beech end to roll in the hole as the pressure is applied, thus allowing the pressure arm to remain vertical. 

And a detail shot of the lever.  Note the small locating whole on the top platen.  This is a slight amendment to the original design and it should work fine.  The depth of the polystyrene in between the platens here is 250mm, but we can fit deeper plates underneath as required.

This is the fully constructed press.  The components are all put together, the wood is yet to be finished and stained.  The lever mechanism appears to have worked very well, and Maurice pulled it with his whole weight and there was not a creak or sign of movement from the press, which is brilliant. 
The next stage is to test the pressure of the press and make any final tweeks to the lever mechanism if needed.  I am confident it will print relief plates wonderfully, but I secretly hold hope that the pressure will be high enough to print intaglio.  We shall see!