i have the option to buy C&P- i need help!
I have the option to buy an old chandler and price, but i’m not sure what i should be looking at to ensure i’m getting a good deal. it’s electric and will come with two chases… the handle is broken and has a copper pipe fastened to it that seems to be doing the job for now (is that something that should be a factor??) they don’t have rollers attached at the moment and i’m not sure if they have any at all- they’ve said there is a box of parts and odds and ends in the backroom. that’s all i really know about it (the printshop owners don’t know anything about it). it’s been sitting at a printshop and they only use it for scoring because no one knows how to use it. any help and/or advice on questions i should ask, things i should look for on the press (even small things that may seem obvious), etc would be GREATLY appreciated. even if you can direct me to a website where i can find information would be great. information about how much it would cost to have something like this moved would be appreciated too from those whom have moved them before. i’ve run this kind of machine at school, but don’t know much about the history of the machine. thank you thank you! if i can get a picture of the C&P posted, i’ll do that for better reference.
Fivedotdesign,
Briefly, after reading your comments, I would say to you that if the owners of the machine don’t
know anything about it, but they want to sell it…..STAY AWAY FROM THIS DEAL.
You should not be buying anything you do not understand!
If you want to get into letterpress, email me for further discussion.
SAL
I agree with Sal. Even if they give it to you you could spend a lot of money and time moving it, then find out that it’s not what you need or that it’s no good. There are a lot of these old presses around, so be patient, do some research, ask around and get the one you really want. Ideally, you will be able to see someone printing with the press before you buy it. Some parts, if broken or missing, are very hard to replace.
It sounds like you should pass unless you are getting a totally sweet deal. C&P’s can be upwards of 1,000 lbs in weight, which will probably cost you $250-$500, or more, just to move it across town, so be sure to factor that into your expenses.
I agree that the parts may be hard to come by, and that may be frustrating for your first letterpress, because you are going to want to get printing and learning as soon as you can.
I second Sal, that since neither you or the owners really know the press that well, you may all have a hard time making progress or an evaluation on its condition.
C&P’s that are in good shape are still relatively affordable, so you may want to hold on to your cash and wait for something that is in more dependable shape.
Good luck