Is it worth it?

So I’m very very new to the printing scene…to say the least. I’m looking at possibly purchasing this C&P as a long term investment & to learn on but I’m not sure it’s worth it. I don’t personally have the knowledge to repair the wiring that the seller suggest is broken but I do know several engineers who are highly talented & I believe they could repair that portion. I guess my questions are: 1) can anyone tell by the pictures the size of this C&P; 2) could I still run this machine manually without the motor for the time being or if it can’t be fixed (I’m not looking to do high volume until I know what I’m doing which could be awhile); 3) good idea to take this piece on? 4) does she look like she’s in pretty good shape and 5) any tail tail things I should look for during the inspection prior to buying. Below is the ad & a picture. Also, I’d need to move this beast!!! Any advice? Thanks in advance.

—-This is an older printing press for sale. It was functional when it was removed from the printing studio. It is definitely fixable. The motor was taken off so that it would fit through the door. Will need belts, maybe new chaise and the three wires it does have replaced and a good cleaning. This printing press is still worth the investment if someone knows what they are doing. —-

image: printing press.jpg

printing press.jpg

image: printing press 2.jpg

printing press 2.jpg

Log in to reply   9 replies so far

It’s a New Series C&P - a very popular press - I’d guess it’s a 10x15. If the crankshaft has a “U” shaped portion, it can be fitted with a treadle - if it’s a straight shaft, you’ll have to drive it with a motor of some sort - seems to be missing the drive wheel. Current prices can vary from $500 to $1500 depending on condition and location. How are the rollers?

I’m assuming it needs new rollers. I’ll post another pic of the opposite side. I assume the large wheel is the drive wheel. It’s listed lower than you priced. All in all…worth it? It’s located very close to me…about 20 miles but I know I would still need to have it moved. Thanks so much for your help!

image: printing press 3.jpg

printing press 3.jpg

The large wheel is the flywheel - though some folks use it as a drive wheel with a wide belt. Boxcar Press has a parts list and diagram here: http://www.boxcarpress.com/community/manuals/cp-newseries-parts-list.pdf

Also, get a copy of “General Printing” from Amazon, it will give you some help in setup.

Value is dependent on condition and location. You seem tentative about this - I can’t tell you if it’s worth it to you or not - it would certainly be worth it to a lot of other people.

if you are new to letterpress printing it would be in your best interest to take a few lessons and learn how to use a c&p. These presses can and will hurt you if you make a mistake, also moving the press is not that easy if you haven’t done it before. i think there is lots of info on this site about moving these presses, also Excelsior Press in New Jersey has good info on his site. Good luck.

I find it interesting now that we are in the overly protective hand-holding era of letterpress, pressured by the demons of OSHA and the instant communication available that informs us of someone’s latest bone crushing accident , that beginners are sometimes scared away with all the warnings of dire consequences of considering buying a press. I now have colleges asking for the plastic dust covers for Vandercook inking systems as a safety device after the recent death of a college student in a machine shop accident not related to printing, and these covers are now considered safety things to keep college kids from sticking parts of their bodies or hair into turning ink rollers. I purchased my 10x15 C&P, much like the one being discussed here, as a 15 year-old and taught myself how to use it. My prior experience was with a 6x10 Kelsey that I purchased new and also taught myself how to use as a 13 year-old. I knew of no one to teach me, all I had was the little Kelsey book, and off I went. And after some 56 years of owning the C&P, I remain unscathed from these iron monstors. I think it is fair and proper to advise people of safety issues, but it should not be a reason to discourage a person from acquiring equipment.as in this case. No one would buy or drive a car if they paid attention to the notion that people are killed daily by the use of automobiles.

As an old safety officer I appreciate the conservative cautions and even a few of the horror stories used to illustrate the potential dangers of a motor driven hand fed platen press.
As with the bicycle, skate boards and cooking in a kitchen with sharp knives and boiling pots on the stove, life is full of potential dangers.
I too learned to print on a 10 x 15 C & P at age 13 in junior high school. We were taught safety rules and we followed them. The only accident I recall was a chase a boy dropped on his foot. We were cautioned to make sure we had a firm grasp on the chase when moving it from the stone to the press and the reverse. We were not all required to purchase steel toed safety shoes.
I have four rules for operating the press:
1. Stand erect. If one has normal length arms and stands erect without leaning in, you remain safe.
2. Do not chase the misfeed. The throw-off lever is your friend.
3. When the platen is opening and at its nearest to horizontal position, it belongs to you. When it begins to close, it belongs to the press. Hands out. The throw-off is your friend.
4. It is possible to get into a near hypnotic rhythm feeding the press. Or, it is possible to enjoy the music you are playing too much. If so, STOP. Clear your head and get your focus back where it belongs. Even conversation is bad. Your focus belongs right at the platen.

Thank you everyone for your post. I will definitely respect this machine & although I will probably teach myself a good bit, I do hope to find someone in my area to help show me the ropes a little. I do have just one more question though. I must have won the lottery or something b/c after literally years of trying to find a press in my tight price range, I now have the opportunity to choose between two presses. Below are two pics of another press located a little further away but 1/3 of the price the above cost. The cheaper press does appear more aged & less used but I’m not sure which to choose or which is a better press. I think they both appear to be C&P but the second owner doesn’t know the specifics. Any thoughts? I am new so as you know I’ll have to buy a number of items to get either press up & runner so the cheaper does appeal to me but then again, she could be more expensive in the long run. I’m going to check the second one out Friday. Any words of wisdom in terms of what I’m looking for & what might be a deal breaker? As always, I’m thankful for your help.

see pics

image: printing press 5.jpg

printing press 5.jpg

image: printing press 4.jpg

printing press 4.jpg

How fortunate that you have the choice of two and both within reasonable distance. You don’t know the size of each and we would be guessing from the pictures. Either a 10 x 15 or an 8 x 12 should serve the hobby printer. The choice should probably be made from close inspection rather than general appearance. Rust and dirt can be cleaned. Broken or cracked parts and obvious weld repairs raise flags. The second set of photos shows a motor and the large ‘steam’ pulley that were previously used. If the motor runs, all you need is the flat belt and an oil can to get it going.
The move for either is about the same. Well, unless one is in a barely accessible basement. The challange is to get the press onto and off your transport. The greater distance is just a bit more time and careful driving.
Tell where you are. An old printer and press rigger might help you.