Composing stick

As Winkelhaken the typesetter called an adjustable gauge for assembling a line of metal type letters for the high pressure (also: Letterpress ). In the technical and colloquial language of the typesetter, the angle hook called " trowel ".

The angle hook is an angular rail, usually made ​​of silver, which has a fixed and a movable and lockable stop ( "frog" ) of steel in order to set as the row width can. The distance between the two stops corresponds to the desired line length. The distance is defined using various squares and not measured; the typographic units here are Cicero and point. Depending on the desired set width, there are different lengths of angle hook up to 60 cm in length, the specimens with 25 cm and 30 cm length were standard for the set of commercial print. In addition angled hooks with two fixed stops for continually recurring same row lengths were - such as in a newspaper - in use.

By using the angle hook was ensured that all the rows will receive exactly the same length and the " clamping " of the entire set, which consists of several lines, a " closed set " is created. Through the accumulation ( setting ) of different widths letters in the angle hook creates a row. This is brought about by adding different broad, not mitdruckendem space bands reactive material for the spaces between words exactly to the set angle hook or line width ( at block set to full line width ). All lines must be filled evenly, so that the printing process no spaces between words or other reactive material can work your way up - called the "skewers ". In order to push out the letters from the angle hook is before placing a "Sit line ", mostly made ​​of nickel silver, inlaid. The betting line has not to jam a little "play" in the composing stick.

The closed set is tensioned with the quoins in the "form" ( the print form) or a chase. The angle hook has already been developed by Johannes Gutenberg and used in letterpress printing until it was displaced by the introduction of typesetting machines (Monotype and Linotype ). But even after headings and commercial jobs were still set it or it has been used for depositing.

The angle hook or the galley were also used for the custom of young professionals to demonstrate the lead lice.

• Hand tools
• Hand set