Golding Official No. 4 repair question

That is where the pawl that advances the ink disk goes. Here are a couple of photos. I suspect you could braze some material on there, re-drill the holes and just make a new one.

If that is more than you think you can handle you might want to talk to Mike Anton about it. He worked wonders on a similar problem on my 5x8 Pearl.

I wouldn’t be put off by the rust, but you are also missing the chase unless it isn’t shown in the images. I do have one for sale, viewable here: http://flickr.com/photos/thearm/2911713363/

Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY

Golding Official #4

Golding Official #4

Thanks for the information, Daniel. Are you saying that the ink disk will not move if this piece is not repaired? I will track Mike Anton down to discuss this further as well.

Yes, I will need a chase and will definitely let you know if I end up purchasing this press. I’m in the market for this press, a Pilot, or a Sigwalt Ideal No. 5 if you happen to know of any that are available.

Thanks again. Let’s keep in touch.

Josh

Hey Josh,
The missing part is what rotates the disk. Good luck in your press hunt. If this press turns out to be cheap I say get it!

Dan

PS- Contact Mike A via his email: golding-guru (at) SBCGLOBAL.NET and his website is http://www.angelfire.com/mo3/golding-guru

Isn’t there supposed to be a small lever arm connected to the gripper finger shaft assembly? It would actuate the gripper fingers as the press is operated. Looks like it may be missing…

Thanks for your help, Bill and Dan, and for your patience with my novice questions. I’ll contact Mike and see what he thinks. He has quite the collection of Goldings, that’s for sure. I’ll keep you posted on that chase as well. Thanks again.

The last 2 photos with the red paint do not appear to be of the same press as the first 3 photos. If they are not, then the brazed ink disc support in the second photo would not be an issue, but if it is the disc may not be squared on to the rollers.

It looks to me that in the 3rd photo the device for operating the grippers is there, but the grippers are bent, and there is a spring that belongs on the cam that isn’t visible.

The ink disc pawl should be easy to replace — as should the missing end of its arm. Mike Anton may even be able to come up with one or one that could be used as a pattern. Perhaps a jewelry department at the nearby college can cast one for you in brass or bronze using lost wax and a borrowed one as a pattern.

I would certainly not worry about the rust — unless the ink disc is deeply pitted the rest looks OK. This is probably the finest table-top lever press ever made, and I would grab it if it is at all reasonably priced.

I understood that the red press was shown as an example of what the disc pawl assembly should look like.

And as for the gripper arm lever, I couldn’t really tell if it’s there (or unbroken) from that photo. There is something in the photo which MAY be the lever assembly, but I think a close-up would be more informative, and show if it’s intact. The pawl and gripper mechanisms seem to be missing or broken on a lot of these.

Thanks again for all of your assistance! I’ll certainly keep you posted on if I purchase this or not. It’s great to know that such great resources for all things letterpress are available (you).

Yes, the red press was shown as reference, thanks to Daniel. The additional insight into the ink disk, gripper arm lever and pawl is very helpful. I’ll let you all know what I decide.

Thanks again.

Josh