10x15 Kluge
I’m looking to get into Letterpress for hobby & possibly small business. I see that there is a Kluge for sale, but don’t know if it would be a good choice: re: ease of use, quality of print, availability of used parts, price, etc..
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Kluges are excellent production presses, but not necessarily easy for beginners - unless you have access to training and instruction. Yes, you can still get parts…
Bill
what suggestions would you offer for make and model? I’ve seen John Horn’s article already.
Sadly, I just lost out on a 7x11 Pearl.
if it isnt too late, dont buy a kluge. i think it is actually defined in german= impossible. i had one and it was a nightmare!
buy a flatbed cylindar press or a small 8x10 platen press to start.
In my opinion the Kluge Attachment mounted on a 10x15 C&P NS is hands down the best single press setup you can find for the one press shop. Dick
As mentioned above, it’s far from your perfect “starter” press. The N series is a fustercluck of poor engineering, with one bad idea layered upon another, upon another…
I agree with Dick Holme, while stressing that a good deal of instruction, attention to detail, and a mechanical aptitude is in order when dealing with the Kluge feeder.
BUT! Once they are set up and running, they are work horses that are hard to beat - at any price! I’m currently running a 50k job, foiling scratch-offs for a local casino. The (reconditioned 12x18) Kluge N just keeps going, and going… the press runs so well, it’s almost boring! At least once a shift, other pressmen will drop an empty chase on the concrete floor, or thwack me in the head with a spit wad, if they think I’m falling asleep. Thanks, guys.
Back to the issue: the Kluge N works only as well as it’s operator. For a “starter” press, century printer presented some good alternatives!
The Boxcar Institute Training Series Videos are an excellent - and inexpensive - place to begin learning.
http://www.boxcarpress.com/community/letterpress-training-video.html
I’d have to agree with Jim….
A Kluge with a good operator can be a great production press.
Not the best for a start up printer, as they are tempermental, and scary to run by hand.
I’ve been running Kluges for 20 years, webflow and sheet fed. Foil, embossing, printing, die cutting and scoring…all of it.
Depending on the condition of the press and one’s mechanical abilities and a good resource for parts, Kluges will run forever.