Create a "POWER BAREN" for Block Printing - CHEAP

 I have always wanted a ball bearing baren for larger work but could not afford one, as I am a starving artist like the rest of you so I had a vision one day and this is what came of it. Since making these directions I have since used it many times to great effect.

"The Power Baren"

The Power Baren

Materials Needed:

A.) 2 pieces of mat board (cut into circles of desired size)

B.) White Glue (Elmers or whatever)

C.) Locktite brand epoxy (the 5 min. set)

D.) 2 boxes of regular thumbtacks. (about 100 for the size I made)
ATTENTION: You definitely need to find the right tacks. I used thick tacks that were almost "half moon" shapes. You can also use smooth furniture studs often used in re-upholstering vinyl and leather fabrics. Any tacks that you can see the "stud weld" are no good at all.

E.) White Artist Tape ½ inch wide

Directions:
1. Cut your mat board into circles. I made mine 4 ¾" in diam.

2. Use the white glue and glue these two discs together. Put a weight on
it and let it dry. (about 10 to 20 min)

3. Divide your disc into four quarters.



4. Place tacks side by side all along the cross lines.

5. Fill in the sections as best as you can leaving as little space between
tacks as possible.




At this point you will have 2 pieces of mat board with a bunch of sharp
pointy tacks sticking out the bottom.

BE CAREFUL.

6. Wrap your ½" Tape around the outside edge of the disc.
AS TIGHT AS YOU CAN GET IT! Try not to have any leaks around the edge.



7. Mix up the epoxy in a EXTREMELY well ventilated area. It will smell
horrible and the fumes are bad. Do this quickly, it sets to firm in about
five minutes. You want to have it in place before this happens, of course.




CAUTION! Do not breath fumes!

8. As is sets you can take a toothpick and run it all through the epoxy
between the tacks points to make sure it has covered all the tacks. IT
MUST COVER ALL THE TACK POINTS BY AT LEAST 1/8 INCH TO BE SAFE. Don't
get pricked!

9. Once it has set, remove the tape and it is ready for use. I waited
about 2 hours before I removed the tape.

I tested the baren on my keyblock for Baren Exchange #33 and it worked
great.

I was using cherry plank boards as my block material, nice and hard wood.
I have not yet tested this out on softer wood. Use with caution. The baren
will have some weight to it so you DO NOT need a whole lot of pressure
to make good impressions. Also, I was using it right on hosho paper, without
a protector sheet and it was fine. Experiment with it. The whole thing
costs around $15.00 The most expensive item being the epoxy.

Let it air out for a little while, It will still smell bad.