13x18 Windmill vs. 10x15 Windmill
I am hoping that some of you could help identify the differences (if any) between the 13x18 and 10x15 aside from the obvious (size, ball handle vs. shovel, impression adjustment, etc.). I have found a 13x18 built in 1956 and am wondering if late and early models of this press have differences like the 10x15 (however slight they may be to some).
Were any of the 13x18’s made with roller lockout? Is there anything that I should look for in a 13x18 that would not be an issue with the smaller version?
Thank you!
The size is an obvious difference. There is no lock up rollers. To print blind or die-cut you must remove them. 10x15 models have lock up from 1965 and up only.
Has a different pressure mechanism, not a simple lever as the 10x15, it has a big bolt to hold pressure and the lever moves up and down instead of in or out. A big wrench must be there -looks like a big “T” and will not be ease to find if not present.
Chase is locked differently than the 10x15, and needs a special tool that looks somewhat like a hook -this tool must be present, if not finding one may be troublesome. Chase is positioned inclined instead of a 90 degree on the 10x15.
Grippers are longer and more susceptible to bend. Basically if the grippers in the press align with the platen there is no issues. Remove the packing and move the press until one gripper makes a diagonal across the platen and look to see if grippers align (do this on both grippers). If they align and the press runs smoothly, buy it.
It doesn’t matter what year the press is. With good rollers and maintenance, if the press runs smoothly, is a awesome press and will be around for many many years. It just need good oil.
Hi, goomis—
I think of the small Heidelberg as more of an all-round job press. It can run faster and handle smaller sheets—even single business cards on guides. On the other hand, the big Heidelberg seems to be a comfortable press—a little less of a prima donna, if I may use that term. Or perhaps like comparing a violin to a cello. The extra size of the big Heidi is nice and permits “dipping” letterheads, for instance. The three form rollers are a plus, too. The roller train is more of a nuisance to clean on the big Heidi, and HD-Tiegel is right about the extra length of the gripper arms making them susceptible to bending. The big Heidelberg can exert greater impression.
I work at Advanced Letterpress in Portland, Oregon. We use five small Heidelbergs and one big. That seems to be a good ratio for the general run of job work we do—perfing, numbering, die-cutting, scoring, and a little imprinting.
If the press looks good, and the price is right, I think you’ll like the big Heidelberg. But best, of course, is to get both sizes!
Good luck, Brian
Thank you both for your advice!
Actually the lockout feature came in 1967, along with the other updates in the last big change such as the extra guards, enclosed “toolbox,” etc. We have a 1966 windmill that is still a pre-lockout model. You can find brochures from that time at hakro.de.
There could be presses that come out of production after 1965 that were “pre-lock” era. There is a seal on the press that shows the year, and that seal changed every five years, so 1950-55 same seal that shows “1950”. 1955-60, 1960-65, 1965-70, etc. So the lock up feature come out on 65. A 67 press without lock up is a singularity that you should investigate further, as it would make it an one of a kind press which can make her even more special :)
The 12x18 doesn’t lock rollers, it actually has more rollers, how many I can’t remember as I last seen one long ago and am not going to look at the web to give you a concrete fact.
I tried once to find a 12x18 but was difficult. All the presses I found were junk.
I even consider buying one in France. A awesome 1979 press with a bunch of safe guards around the press. As the press was in Marseille, I asked the seller to give me a estimate for shipping it to Miami. The guy never answered back…
A guy I know found one 12x18 and actually bought it. He went himself to pick it up in North Carolina, I think, and, while raising the press something went wrong and it fell down 18 feet to the ground…
So, this press size isn’t easy to find. They were mostly running die cut as nobody prints anymore on those presses since 1980s. That means what is out there is banged up and, if the press is running smoothly, buy it. Taking off the rollers is easy, in the back, you can see the “stem” roller mechanisms have ( they hold springs ), pull the stem with a piece of wood while someone in the other side of the press take the rollers off. Takes 2 minutes.
I don’t know if this is totally disallowed or not (and if it is I do apologize), but I have a 13x18 foiler for sale in Raleigh, NC and it is located in the classified section.
It needs a few parts but I am willing to let it go cheap. Need a crane or a rollback truck to pick it up though.