Golding Official question
I was prepping my C&P Pilot press for printing a small chapbook project when I decided to purchase an available Golding Official no. 6.
There are some issues with the Official. The ink disk is rusted fast and there is plenty of surface rust to clean. A pair of chases are included. I figure to give the ink disk a good dose of penetrating oil and see if I can gently free it. Otherwise, everything seems to move freely.
I am hoping this is an upgrade because of the chase size and that apart from the frozen ink disk, the press seems to have a smooth, solid feel. I will probably keep the Pilot until I know for sure.
Here is my question: I do not see the roller hook return springs I read about. Do all Official models include them?
I will include a photo of the press for reference.
Are there any words of advice as I clean/rehab and use this press?
Thanks much!
Joe
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Words of advice. Yes
Listen to John Falstrom
To free the disc I suggest a lot of spray-on WD-40 or PB-Blaster (from auto parts stores), let it soak with re-applications, and then gently try to turn the disc in the direction it is moved by the advance mechanism. You can tell by the position of the ratchet dog. It looks like it would be counter-clockwise. Start by trying to move it a tiny bit back and forth, soaking it with solvent as you do. Once it starts to move, keep soaking it and wiggling it. You will be working the solvent into the joint and when it reaches far enough the thing will come loose. Then a good dose of thin oil, like 3 in 1 or sewing machine oil and work that into the joint. Once it is moving pretty freely you can remove the disc, but it’s better to wait until then to avoid putting much stress on the thin cast iron disc pulling it out with much resistance. You can clean the disc surface pretty nicely with the same solvent and scrubbing with fine steel wool. Same for the bed and platen surfaces.
You may find coil springs for the hooks at a good hardware store, or at McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com)
Good luck — that is a gem of a table-top hand press — probably the best ever made in whatever size you find.
Bob