sidestick
A sloped or beveled piece of wood or metal placed against the side of a page that is being typeset, and locked in place by quoins.
sidestick: a beveled gauge that locks type into the chase
A sidestick is a tapered wooden or metal block positioned against the outer edge of type matter in a typeset form, serving as a fixed reference plane and mechanical stop. It rests against the side of the chase (the rectangular steel frame holding the type) and is held fast by quoins, the expanding wedges hammered in to lock the entire assembly tight for printing.
The beveled or sloped face of the sidestick is critical to its function. This angled surface allows the quoins to bite and hold with mechanical advantage, preventing the type from shifting under the pressure of the printing press. Sidesticks are typically made from hardwood such as oak or beech, though metal versions exist for heavy-duty work. They range from roughly 2 to 4 inches in height and run the full length of the chase side against which they are positioned.
In practice, the compositor places the sidestick flush against the assembled type after the main matter is arranged, then hammers quoins against it to create uniform pressure across the form. The quality of the lock depends partly on the sidestick remaining perfectly straight and its beveled face maintaining sharp contact with the quoin. A worn or warped sidestick will cause uneven locking, leading to type that slips during impression and produces blurred or offset prints.
The term sidestick is straightforward enough: it sits at the side of the form and functions as a stick or block. In some regions and older texts, related terms include furniture (the wooden blocks and spacing material filling gaps in the chase) and reglets (thin metal strips used similarly). However, the sidestick serves a more specific role as the primary mechanical lock point against which quoins exert force.
Proper maintenance of sidesticks was an everyday concern in print shops. A compositor would check them for warping, cracks, or beveled edges worn round or smooth, any of which reduced locking reliability. Replacement or repair was routine upkeep. The sidestick sits at the intersection of type setup skill and mechanical precision, making its condition a visible mark of a well-maintained pressroom.