shipping presses and type cabinets

Hi Briar Press!

I have been trolling the web for the better part of a year now, looking for equipment. I’ve seen some great deals, didn’t move fast enough, been out bidded etc, but my BIGGEST problem is the shipping issue. It seems a lot of sellers aren’t aware of how t ship, or interested in shipping. Suggestions for how to manage this type of situation without it costing me the bank?! I live in a fairly remote area of the US. Not close to any major city. Help!

Log in to reply   6 replies so far

Hi Jennifer! Not sure if this helps, but I had my press shipped with a freight company from Detroit to Boston— it was not cheap. I believe it was $475? The company actually freight shipped safes— as in bank safes and the such. They damaged my press (by placing a small ‘safe’ on it) and tried to cover it up with packaging material. Perhaps try contacting a local freight company to see if they can help? Perhaps if they’re going by that area, they may work out a deal to pick up your press/cabinets? Good luck!

Try to find a moving company local to the press you are buying and make sure they have experience moving presses. I’m currently working on moving a Windmill and Vandercook from upstate NY down to NJ and I used a local company that had moved those same presses about 15 years before.

I agree it’s not the cheapest thing to professionally move a press, but the peace of mind is worth it.

What equipment are you looking for exactly?

Try checking out the hauling schedule on Yesterday’s Tractors:

http://www.yesterdaystractors.com

I don’t really trust freight companies anymore. They have an uncanny ability to damage even the most properly packaged items.

Good luck,
Brad.

I don’t know if you’re interested in my 10x15 press (it’s a floor model, plenty heavy). If you were, I might be able to bring it to Boise for a moving fee. I live in Walla Walla and the press and misc supplies are in the Portland area.
Curtis Schafer

image: Rollers that need replacing.JPG

Rollers that need replacing.JPG

image: Cabinet of trays.JPG

Cabinet of trays.JPG

image: Type Cabinet.JPG

Type Cabinet.JPG

image: Mechanism for smaller chases (less work for small jobs).JPG

Mechanism for smaller chases (less work for small jobs).JPG

image: 10x15 Peerless right view.JPG

10x15 Peerless right view.JPG

image: 10x15 Peerless Platen Press.JPG

10x15 Peerless Platen Press.JPG

image: 10x15 Peerless left view.JPG

10x15 Peerless left view.JPG

image: 10x15 chase.JPG

10x15 chase.JPG

Moving a press poses its own set of problems, but moving cabinets of type can also be a nightmare if not done right. Keep in mind that the cabinets are going to ‘bounce around’ in whatever truck or container they are put into. Your primary concern is to keep the type in the cases in their respective compartments and not have the small type bouncing from one “cubicle” into another. This can be accomplished by cutting corrugated cardboard (sides of boxes) to size and covering each SECTION of the case - not a single piece over the entire case. A california case is divided into three sections. The thick dividers and the edge of the case are HIGHER that the compartment sides and type will migrate unless the corrugated is firmly down on top of the edges of the compartments. I moved perhaps ten cabinets of type this way and had not a single accident or spillage. It takes time and preparation, but is much better than sorting migrated characters back into their proper places.

Rick

I have used Yesterday’s Tractors, too. Very reasonable rates and great service. I also used them to find a guy to haul my 1930 Chevy truck from Wisconsin to my home in Indiana.