Subaru Piston Press

Engine, Oak, Acrylic, and Aluminum

16" x 23" x 12" 

2017

Based on the concept of compression, the Subaru Piston Press is a one-of-a kind press designed and built with the intention of merging two of my loves, printmaking and machines, into one mechanical experiment.

Having rebuilt a number of engines, internal combustion cycles come second-nature; when I discovered printmaking and it's need for pressure to transfer an image from block to paper, something sparked.

Created for the 2017 Southern Graphics Council International Tiny Press Round Up, the Subaru Piston Press uses the internal rotating assembly from a cracked 2.5L Subaru engine known as a “boxer” motor. Using the synchronized rotation of the boxer-style crankshaft, two of the original four pistons were welded to an aluminum press-plate to distribute even pressure across an 8" x 14" printing surface.

Designed and built with conservancy in mind, the baseplate, frame, and inking plate were engineered using 3D software, then carefully cut down and assembled from a single board of red oak. 

Aside from the aluminum plates, acrylic, and assembly hardware, the press was created with the intention of recycling as much as possible from the motor to creatively repurpose old parts into features such as the press handle and brayer holder.

One man's trash is another man's printing press.

 - Live Printing Events (2017-2019) -

Tiny Press Round Up, SGCI Terminus, Atlanta, GA

Under Pressure: Print Exhibition, VAE, Raleigh, NC

This is Armada, evo Denver, Denver, CO

This is Armada, evo Seattle, Seattle, WA

Thrive ‘19, The Durham Fruit, Durham, NC

Creative South, Springer Opera House, Columbus, GA