Presses worth restoring?

I went on the 4th to look at two presses listed in the local paper. A G P Gordon and a Kelsey Star 11. The Gordon has been outside for a while and would not turn over. Aside from rollers and a drive belt it’s intact. The Kelsey was in better shape and is being kept inside but is missing it’s platen. I offered the guy $50 a piece and he figured he’d get more for that as scrap. What do you think is a fair offer for them? I’m not real sure I want to get into another project right now which is why I didn’t offer him any more. I also don’t want to see them go for scrap if they’re worth saving. If someone else is interested in them contact me and I can get you the information and location.

image: GP Gordon

GP Gordon

image: GP Gordon

GP Gordon

image: Kelsey Star 11

Kelsey Star 11

image: Kelsey Star 11

Kelsey Star 11

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While I don’t think either of these are particularly “rare” presses that must be preserved at all costs, they’re also not especially common and probably are worth saving. Unfortunately the Kelsey Star looks like it’s missing the flywheel in addition to the platen, and perhaps other parts, so may only be good as a parts press, and the GP Gordon may be a bit of a project to de-rust and loosen up. If the guy has some way of weighing the presses, offer him a bit more than he’d get from the scrap man.

This looks like the same Kelsey, and it’s definitely missing it’s flywheel, and possibly the shaft as I don’t recall seeing it hanging out.

image: www.briarpress.org_.jpg

www.briarpress.org_.jpg