Challenge Machinery Co.

I mean this kindly, but your question is too vague. What exactly do you want to know and if you don’t know much about it how do you know it’s a great price?

Challenge is a well known long time manufacturer of high quality paper cutters, the type of cutter you mention being no exception. After that, everything depends on the specifics of that particular cutter: condition; one or more knives with it; your available space and particular cutting needs; etc. Give us more information of that kind, ask some specific questions, tell us the asking price, and we can probably be more helpful.

Rich

Front Room Press
Milford, NJ
http://frontroompress.com
http://frontroompress.blogspot.com

Rich, you’re right, here is a link to see pictures of the press. The asking price is $225, thought it was good based on info Alan at Excelsior has told me. Didn’t get to meet you when I was there. From the pictures, it looks like it is missing something in the upper left corner in the first picture, safety lock? I have asked the seller for more details but haven’t received any yet.

http://picasaweb.google.com/billkarp1924/Printing#

Let me know if this helps.

Thanks

Dennis

Rich,

I am a beginner and looking for a good tabletop model. I like the old presses. I bought a Cooks Victor 6 x 9 through Alan and Lou. My shop will be approx. 15 x 15 square, I have room, but being in a basement I do not want to move too big of equipment in.

Any input will be greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed your insight on other posts.

Thanks

Dennis

Hi Dennis,

From the photo I’d say that lug with the hole and with a corresponding slot in the knife carrier was for a safety lock which at least later models of this cutter have and perhaps earlier ones also. Most older cutters of late 19th and early 20th century vintage did not have safety locks, for good or ill. My 26” C&P cutter does not have one but it does have a heavy counterweight to keep the knife in the raised position and you have to counteract that very deliberately when using it.

Be aware that the model you’re looking at does not have a counterweight and the weight of the handle itself is sufficient to pull the knife down which would be something you’d always have to take care of. Bumping against the handle enough to push it over top dead center would cause the knife to drop suddenly.

However, that much having been said, our forebears were not completely ignorant of safety. It was just that manufacturers used to think it was the users responsibility and the law supported that. I say that because I’ve seen setups with these types of cutters where a thin rope was attached to the handle and run up to the ceiling at an angle, through a small sheave block, and a weight such as a sash weight suspended from it. This provided the counterweight and allowed easy use at the same time.

Also keep in mind that even if the cutter had a safety lock, this would merely serve to keep the knife in the upright position. It would not mean that there was a counterweight applying opposing resistance when actually cutting once the safety was released. So personally I probably wouldn’t be troubled by the lack of a safety lock since I could easily hook of such a system.

$225 is I think a good deal. If it comes with a spare knife so much the better. A spare knife will probably be well over $100 but it’s not essential in a small shop and these cutters usually go for about twice what is being asked. Examine it carefully for breaks or repaired breaks but if repaired properly it can be good as or even better than new. My own cutter is such an example, but that’s another story.

It would be great to meet you up at Alan’s.

Rich

Front Room Press
Milford, NJ
http://frontroompress.com
http://frontroompress.blogspot.com