Kelsey 5x8 Base Size

I recently purchased a Kelsey 5x8 and am in the process of buying rollers, ink, paper, etc. One of the items I need to purchase is a Boxcar base to attach polymer plates too. My primary use for the press will be invitations for now. Generally, this will be a 5x7 print. Boxcar recommended getting a 3.5x6.5 base for my press. I trust there opinion, but I want to be able to get as much printing area as I can. Has anyone used a larger base size, perhaps 4”x7”, with this press? Any thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.

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The larger the base the more trouble you will have positioning gauge pins in order to keep the printed area centered in the press. And you may have trouble also printing a very large area, like 5x7, on a 5x8 press — typically you’re limited to about 1/4 of the chase size for reasonable coverage and a LOT less for heavy impression. That’s what Boxcar’s recommendation is based on.

Bob