Restoring a Golding Pearl No. 11
I recently rescued a Golding Pearl No. 11 - its what you’d expect from an old Vermont basement after 40 years of sitting. I’m working on cleaning it up and getting it functional again. It cycles a few rotations in either direction, but for some reason it stops. Like its bumping against something that won’t allow it to continue to rotate.
Any thoughts on what that might be?
Are there any good resources out there that might help me figure out how to disassemble it?
By “cycles” do you mean revolutions of the flywheel? Mine makes exactly three for one complete cycle of the platen. Check the space around the platen linkages behind the press, and be sure also that you have nothing locked up on the bed and that the throw-off is disengaged (handle closest to you as you stand at the feed position). If you have something locked up in the press and the throw-off is engaged (handle pushed away from you) the impression is probably set much too tight. But if the stop still occurs with the throw-off disengaged (and be sure the platen moves toward impression when the handle is pushed toward the press) there is something blocking the platen mechanism, probably behind the press.
DO NOT try to print “deep impression” with a Pearl! They break irreparably under that strain.
Bob
Another quick comment! Check the big gear carefully for something stuck between the gear teeth! A little wad of paper there would also cause your symptoms.
Bob
Doubledip
I found it! It was a little brad nail in the teeth of the larger gear. Though now it rotates easily for a few rotations and then starts to bind up a bit, it will still turn just not as smoothly.
I thinking of disassembling it so I can really attack the rust and repaint where it’s needed. any advice on that?
Figure on having some way to lift heavy stuff. Cast iron is brittle so dropping any parts on a concrete floor risks damage. But it can be done - my Pearl is a Frankenpress made from two that had different broken parts. You might want to seek out a Pearl 11 parts diagram which ought to be found somewhere online. Once apart it is not really obvious how everything has to go back together. A Dremel with a disc wire brush could probably handle almost all the rust with the press assembled. But there is an advantage to disassembling - you learn the intimate innards of the beastie.
Bob
Also, I suggest get some 80-90 weight gear oil at an auto parts store, along with a long-nosed pump oil can, and oil everything generously before disassembly, including the gear teeth and cycle the press a few times to distribute the oil. You will probably find that smooths things out a bit. WD 40 is also good for loosening rusted screws and nuts. And patience uber alles :-) and examine all the gears between the teeth for any packed dirt etc. as well as additional nails, and the wire brush makes a good toothbrush.
Bob
Thanks Bob!