Thoughts on Purchasing My First Press

Hi,

First understand I am a Golding enthusiast. That said, I have found using a No 9 map press very easy and I get good results. I am sure you realize the difference is that in a map press, the bed moves down to the platen, rather than the platen up to the bed. If you plan on doing mostly handset, it may not be the best choice. You have to have it locked up well or when the type gets turned upside down something is more likely to fall out than in a traditional press. If you will be primarily using plates, either metal/wood or polymer I think it is terrific because the platen is horizontal and easily accessed for setting gauge pins etc. and a plate is easily locked up in the chase. If you have large solids, you will have to double cycle the rollers given there are only two. I have five Golding choices in my shop and typically choose the map press when I have something relatively small like letterhead or a decoration to envelopes and the like. I prefer a Jobber floor model for larger work because of greater impression strength, treadle operation, and either three or four rollers to help give good inking on solids or large text areas. Hope this helps. Is it a good price?

Thanks for your great comments John. The press itself is 350 and I have been calling around for rollers/cores, approx
256 for the pair/shipping. I actually put the “cart before the pony”!!! and in my excitement designed and had Boxcar make a polymer plate for me!!! I don’t have a Boxcar base…. since I don’t know what press I will end up with. The press comes on a sturdy table. No furniture, quoins, type are included, so I have to budget for that too. I foresee myself starting out small with wooden type blind impressions, letterhead & illustration cards/envelopes. The C&P Pilot 5x8 tabletop is a little too expensive right now for me, I wonder if I should just keep waiting!

Hi again,

That sounds like a very good price. Golding is considered a high end press. One of the best. You can only effectively fill about 1/3 of the chase, so given it is an 8 x 12, you can do more with this model than most any tabletop you will find. The double rolling possibility I referred to would be common to any tabletop with two rollers. In my opinion you would get more impression from this press than a Pilot because it is a larger, heavier built press. Does it have a stirrup handle like the one in the museum? If so, that’s good. You get good leverage without hurting your wrist. If the press is complete with the exception of the rollers, I would go for it. Even if I had to wait to get the rollers. Then again, I have purchased every Golding I find. Sigh!!!!

Yep, a stirrup handle indeed! It looks really cool. I am wondering if you recommend/print with rubber rollers or composition? I have spoken with Tarheel and NA Graphics.

For rollers, check out Ramco Rollers, San Dimas, California

I got a very nice set of rubber rollers for my Adana Quarto from Duro Roller in California, and they were not very expensive as rubber rollers go — I think about $60 each. I got a set of rubber rollers for my Golding 8x12 Official (I think) from Tarheel, but I don’t remember how much I paid — a lot more, though.

Bob

Thanks Bob. Tarheel is about $256, a little more than NA Graphics. I will check out Ramco Rollers & Duro Roller to see how they compare. Do you suggest I invest in the rubber rollers if I purchase the Golding Official No.12 map press ….sounds like you may have the same one?
Thanks.

Rubber rollers will give you far less problems, i get my rollers from Rollercraft in Rhode Island. Good Luck Dick G.