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good price for a Golding #11?

Hi all,

My first post here. This has been a great source of info so far as I begin my letterpress adventure.

I found a Golding Pearl #11 for $400, but it needs rollers (another $300), and is located about 6 hrs from my home. I have been unsuccessful in finding any other presses located near me. This set up is in my price range, and about the only way I could afford one of these, but I am curious if $400 is good. The seller said it was only a display in the lobby of his print business, and it does work (no motor or treadle), and it looks to be in excellent physical condition.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Log in to reply   4 replies so far

Wow! Grab it! You can get new rubber rollers from Ramco Roller that may cost you less than the $300 you mentioned if you have cores and trucks. If you’re not serious about restoring it authentically a substitute treadle can be made relatively easily while you hunt for the VERY elusive Pearl 11 treadle. See if you can get a series of closeup photos of some of the critical areas to check for condition, but I think you will have a lot of trouble finding a better price!

Bob
(Pearl #11 owner)

Thanks, Bob. Makes me feel better about it purchasing it. I will need the whole roller assembly (trucks, core, and rubber), and Ramco can do them for a little over $100 each. The kicker is the travel to pick it up, but it still might be worth it.

One caution about moving it — it weighs about 600-700 lbs fully assembled. I moved mine by removing the feed table brackets and ink disc and mount, took the main frame off the base, and loaded the frame assembly with a floor crane — a definite advantage for moving heavy stuff — you can rent one from a tool rental place. Especially helpful if you have a smooth floor at both ends. You could with another person’s help probably move the assembled press with a refrigerator dolly, carefully strapped on.

Check out PearlRestor (without the final “e”) on Yahoo Groups — John Falstrom is a great resource for info and can often help with parts, and he makes the trucks out of Delrin. I like to make roller cores with drill rod, which is precision machined. Of course the cores and trucks must match and the truck diameter must match the roller diameter. But you probably already know much of that.

Best of luck getting this press — it’s a great press, though as a word of caution, don’t attempt heavy deep impression on it as you can break the main frame casting that way.

Bob

Thanks, again, Bob!