Press Prices

In my opinion they are way too high! I would never pay that much for the models you indicated. I don’t care how well they have been refurbished. I would look a lot more before putting out that kind of money. I paid $200.00 for a Golding 6x9 that just needed rollers recovered one year ago. That cannot always be done, but, there is a lot of middle ground between that and $2400 for a similar press.

John

None of those presses I’d consider for running a business. Too much effort per impression for me. A 10x15 C&P or an 8x12 is a much better choice, though the take a bit more training to use. They’re also a lot cheaper. You should be able to find one for $500 or less. Likely you’ll need new rollers so figure on another $250 for that.

That said the Sigwalt and the Pilot are fairly nice presses. the Kelsey is capable of good work, but it takes much more effort than the other two.

The prices you mention are on the high side but that seems normal by eBay standards these days. Shouldn’t have sold my 5x8 Kelsey for $25 some 10 years back.

$200 for a Golding, John i’m calling you when i buy my next press. Arie is almost right, the hand operated presses are a lot of work if your running a business, the c&p is a better choice, the 8x12 is ok but why not the 10x15. You can always print smaller on a larger press but its harder to print bigger on a small press. I still have a 5x8 kelsey, i even beat john’s price, i pulled it out of the trash at the town dump. Kelseys can do fine work,, but the Sigwalt and Pilots are better made presses. Good Luck Dick G.

If you’re replacing a Gocco, then any of those is a step up. I’m guessing you’re producing art prints rather than doing any job printing. If you want to add that capability, you should look for a floor model press; it’s more versatile.

Those prices are rather steep. Always make sure you’re dealing with a reputable dealer, or check out the press in person with someone knowledgeable about the subject. There are a few scammers out there.

Honestly though, why don’t you consider screenprinting? That process is going to be more in line with what you’re familiar with.

In my opinion a 6x9 Sigwalt or a C&P Pilot would have to be heavily gold plated to be worth that much money. I have bought a Craftsman 6x10 (like the Pilot) for $25 at a second-hand store and I don’t think I have ever paid as much as $200 for any of the tabletop presses I’ve bought. Bargains are still out there — unless you have to have a better-than-manufacturer’s-showroom-condition refurbishment, which is going to get inky if you use it much. I would also say keep looking — especially for a business, you need equipment that will pay back its cost quickly. An 8x12 C&P treadle would be an excellent press to start with and should be available somewhere nearby for under $500, as Arie said.

Bob

Thank you to all that have already replied! To clearify, we use the Gocco to print greeting cards/notes and invitations. Although it takes awhile to print out 100-150 invitations, it works! I’d love a floor standing press, but I don’t know where in my house I would put it. The goal is to create a bigger workshop in my garage….but we’re not quite there yet! I’ll keep looking for a less expensive Sigwalt/C&P/Whatever….any ideas on where I should be looking?? I’d rather not go trolling the town dump…but that must have been a great day for you!!!

Thanks!
~R

Where are you located, if we knew that maybe we could suggest somewhere near you. Excelsior Press in New Jersey sells used presses and he also gives lessons and sells supplies. Letterpress things is in Massachusetts, he has lots of stuff, many presses for sale. It pays to be friendly with the man who runs the dump, he knew i had a print shop, when someone threw one out he called me, type cases, paper, tools and the press, that wasabout 45 years ago.it was a great day. Dick G.

I’m right outside Boston, MA. Last time I checked, Letterpress Things didn’t have any presses available. I’ll take a look at Excelsior Press!

I’m in Hanson, about 1 and 1/2 hours south of Boston, there is a beautiful 10x15 c&p right up the street from me, it has a treadle and a motor, it comes with type and everything you need to start printing. My friend is selling a poco proof press in Dorchester for $600, if interested let me know and i’ll give you the info. Dick G.

I assume I would need a rental truck to move the C&P, or a moving company…how much are they selling it for?

Hello, he listed this in the classifieds on this site around the first of July, look it up, the man’s name is Mark Vess, he lists it as a 8x12, but i believe its a 10x15, he only used this press very little, he has a museum of sorts, the press has very little use, he even said he would help with the delivery within 100 miles. Check it out. Good Luck Dick G.

I’ve moved my 1,000 pound Golding Jobber #6 two different ways — when I picked it up to move it from Ithaca, NY to Frederick, MD we towed the largest open top U-Haul trailer (dual axle) behind a GMC Yukon, since then I’ve moved it two more times, less than 10 miles each time, both times renting a truck with a lift gate, which was by far the easiest way to do the move…just be sure to secure it while transporting it regardless of how short the trip is…they’re not pleasant to have to tip back up to an upright position…I speak from experience! Good luck!

HelloSweetheart,

I was at Letterpress Things about a month ago. There seemed to be several larger presses just sitting there. They were not Pilots/Kelseys/Sigwalts though. I think one of them was even a Golding Pearl of some kind, though I could be wrong.

Perhaps you should give John a call again. He is always getting new stuff.

[TH]

I believe there was at least one Golding, possibly two at Letterpress Things, he also had a sweet looking Curtis-Mitchell there a while back and may still have it. I would also suggest calling him again, he’s always moving presses in and out - not sure where he finds time for his day job!

Steve

Steve, in his spare time John runs the store at the printing museum in Andover. Dick G.

A good press is like a good used car. The main thing is what do you need it for, what condition is it in, do you need to do work on it before uses it?

A clean, ready to print is worth 3 times of one needing any repair are cleaning. Back in the early 70’s I purchased a C4 Intertype from the local newspaper. Which I purchased both they had for sell at the time.
I moved it into the shop and put power to it. Was setting type that within a few minutes. A few years later purchased another C4 from another place, a great price, half the cost of the first one. Never could get it to work correctly. Needed work done to it, and no one could make it work as great as the one costing more.

If you all the time, money and parts you need, purchase a press at a low price needing work done to it. If you want to start doing jobs within a day or two, get a clean great running press and pay the higher price.