The red, white and blue painted Bliss press shown on our cover this month looks like Argus Manufacturing Company's contribution to the bicentennial year. Actually the paint job was part of an overall program to enhance the working environment for employees at Argus.

Each of Argus' machine operators selected the color scheme for his or her own machine. The patriotic minded press operator, perhaps influenced by the 200th anniversary celebrations around the nation this year, selected the colors of our flag.

Originally built in 1917, the Bliss punch press has had many owners and has been operated in many locations. With the help of Bliss' unofficial historian, John Chandler, who is manager of customer service at their Hastings, Michigan, plant, your editor was able to gather a brief background on this press. It was one of 18 identical presses built in 1917-18 at Bliss' original plant in Brooklyn, New York.

The press is a 400-ton, straight-side, bridge-type, back-geared model with a 34 by 36 in. bed. It is powered by a 15-hp induction motor through a multiple sheave V-belt drive.

Bliss maintains records on all machines back to the first ones they produced when they opened in 1857. Completeness of the records after-purchase is based on services and parts ordered from Bliss by the users.

Based on Bliss' files for the red, white and blue press, it was originally purchased by American Can Company and shipped to the plant of New Jersey Tube Co. At that time, it was used to produce artillery shell casings for the American Expeditionary Forces and allies in World War I.

The next entry in the file shows that the press was operated by Federal Pressed Steel Company in Milwaukee. Then, in 1943, it was located in Canton, Ohio, at the plant of Spun Steel Corporation.

By 1951, it found its way to Chicago at the facilities of North American Industries. Argus Manufacturing Company purchased it in 1955.

When the press was first built, it had a 32-in. stroke. This was changed to a 12-in. stroke in 1920, and, in 1945, it was again changed to a 16-in. stroke. About 1970, Argus changed the stroke once more, to 18 in.

As a low production press, it was designed with triple gearing to operate at 12 strokes per minute. Currently, it has been sheaved to operate at 10 strokes per minute for Argus Manufacturing to produce stainless steel canisters for the food processing industries.

The canisters are 18 inches in diameter and 8 to 10 inches deep. They are produced from 18, 20 and 22 gauge stainless steel.

Argus finds that this press, although a low production unit, is faster than its hydraulic draw presses for comparable work. Because of the large stroke and high tonnage, they on occasion lend time on the press to other companies in their area to try out tools for deep draw work.

The triple gearing of this press was fairly common in earlier years. However, by today's standards triple, and even double, geared presses are not fast enough for most manufacturers needs.

It seems fitting that this press be decorated in red, white and blue during this bicentennial year, since it was built almost 60 years ago to serve in the defense of our country. MF