Kelsey vs. C&P

rebekah-
it depends on what you’ve got for space… if you’re really tight on space and want a tabletop, go for the kelsey. Otherwise I’d go for the C&P without a doubt. I’m assuming you’re looking to achieve deep impression if you’re going to be doing invitations. That is doable on a kelsey, but much easier to get on a C&P. The biggest factor, though, would be the size limitations. You said you ‘generally’ do no larger than a 5X7 card. That would be about the max size that you want to print on a 6x10. Anything beyond that and you lose gauge-pin space and your impression becomes harder to get uniform. With a 10x15, you can always print smaller, but with a 6x10 you’ll be limited.
just my 2 cents!

Rebekah

I have a 6x10 Kelsey. Wish I had that C&P I used to work on back at university!

The Kelsy is a serviceable machine, but, aside from the size limitations, the C&P is a far sturdier and superior machine. It is easier to achieve a more uniform impression on the C&P and much easier to maintain even pressure on the platen.

I concur with Jamie K. If you have no cost or space issues go with the C&P!

Best regards

Denis

Thank you so much for your comments! This helps make my decision. Both are about the same price, and space is not really an issue.

Size matters. It matters for floor space. And it matters for printing.

You can always print small on a big press, but you cannot print big on a small press. If you have a 10 x 15 you find a use for it. If you get the 6 x 10, you’ll always wish you had the larger press.

Both are good for what they were made for, but the 10 x 15 will do everything the 6 x 10 will, and then some.

I would agree with all of the above comments…. with one modification: IF you are an experienced printer, or have some training under your belt, then the C&P might be appropriate. However, if you are new to letterpress I would recommend the Kelsey.

C&P’s can and will bite your fingers off if you are not careful. You can learn to operate a C&P safely, of course and many folks do. BUT for a rank newbie, the Kelsey is the better machine.

Hello Rebekah,
My first press was a C&P 10x15. I had a good teacher and learned good habits with it from the beginning and for this reason I am typing this message with ten fingers. If you go with this press I suggest you find a nice old timer nearby and get a lesson. Set it up with a variable speed motor and run it really slow as you start out. You can speed it up as you progress.

A couple of pointers right off the bat-
Keep your back straight when you print. This allows the press to close out of your reach. If you lean into the mechanism and rely on your reflexes to get you out of harm’s way you will misjudge it eventually.

Make sure the press is at the right height to allow you to do this. If this means putting it on skids or standing on a platform then so be it.

If you misfeed a sheet never try to adjust it. Just go for the throwoff lever. Develop this habit right from the get-go and you will be much less likely to make a painful (and potentially crippling) mistake.

Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY

Physical damage can happen several ways! I started at the age of 7 on a 3x5 Kelsey, and graduated at 10 to a 10x15 C&P. While stooping at the right side of that wonderful press, I stuck my finger through the large hole in the large gear, depositing some grease in the cam track on the inside of that gear. Just then, my 8-year-old brother—not seeing me because I was bent over—gave the flywheel on the left of the press a whirl. My pointer finger was sliced off very neatly by the cam wheel. I still love the press, and bought one a few years ago. Now I have an 8x10 Gordon I’d like to sell.

Many important warnings in that story: don’t get in a nip-point of an unsecured press; don’t turn equipment without checking first. But also, folks, do not grease that camway. The cam follower that runs in the camway has an oil-hole in it, and oil insures that the cam follower will turn rather than slide. Grease will not do that, and will clog the oil-hole. I have seen these cam followers worn to a flat spot because of grease lubrication.