Golding Jobber - adjustable roller rail height?

Before talking about the possibility of adjustable rails, please provide a picture showing more of the entire press. A shot from a little farther back would be great. Also, you are saying this has 10 x 15 chase, not a 12 x 18?

John

With respect re “possibility of adjustable rails” is a red herring waiting to be caught, *actual* adjustable rails are clearly in evidence, therefore should the advice be, new securing bolts in allen key form, introduction of thin but large diameter washers between the rails and the machine base, (to allow minimum but actual clearance for the chase, as you imply it is exerting side pressure?) additionally, check the width of the track, of the rollers on the bearers, in case some minute extra spacing is required on the trucks? APOLOGIES for slightly more technical solution, if desired and as yet, not apparently fitted, 2 per rail on either side, adjuster Bolts, Pegs, Eccentric Cams, in the style of Heidelberg Platen, Thompson Platen and on probably many of your existing adjustable rail applications.

Mick,

You may be right. But, you’re a little quick to make fun of my request for more pictures don’t you think?

The reason I asked was that Golding did make adjustable rails, but, they look nothing like this on any press we have seen to date and I/we have seen a lot of them. He also made the impression adjustment on the side of the bed in the area shown but never on a No. 7 and it was a more robust system of adjustment. I guess you feel you have seen enough to give a complete answer. I have not. Something is odd here and more pictures may clear up what I consider a mystery before I give advice. I have included a picture of what Golding designed adjustable rails do look like below. They are much more sophisticated than this mechanism. They have micrometer like precision adjusters as seen on my No. 18 restored by yours truly. I have my doubts that what we are looking at was even done by Golding, but, I cannot be sure and seeing more of the press may prove helpful. Hence the request for more images was to get a better idea of the age and verify the model of the press. Then again, perhaps I am just not as smart as you, and you cutting right to your answer has solved the press owners problem.

Lishii:

The No. 7 Jobber is not known to have had adjustable rails, either early or late in the production run. If it did occur, it was likely very late in the 1920’s near the end of the production run when ATF owned Golding. Adjustable rails were provided as shown below on larger Golding Jobbers late in the production. So, I need to ask you if you are you sure this is a No. 7? The No. 8, 9,18 and 21 were more likely to have something to adjust in this area. The impression was also adjusted on the side of the bed rather than below the platen as was customary. No Golding press to date exhibits what you are showing in the images provided, but, it could be an early attempt at either bed or rail adjustment. That said, it would be more likely on something larger than a No.7 and I cannot see enough of this press to confirm which model it is.

JF

The picture didn’t come along with the post so trying again.

JF

No.18 rollers.jpg

J.F. Sir it was never my intention to poke fun, sincere apologies if it seemed that way, I saw and read a fairly obvious, aftermarket fitting, that had not been executed too well, probably a long time ago, and merely translated it into, H/berg and British Thompson, technology, (amongst others) and tried to impart the mental picture in my head, into yours. In the absence of my ability as yet to post pictures, I am sure you can access some online pictures to translate my crude efforts into practical schematics.

Hi John and Mick,

sorry, time difference. back to daytime here. 7:30am.

thank you for your contributions.

I only have this photo at this time but will put another one in a few hours. It is a 10x15. I use brayers on the side of the mounting block but they dont help when the rollers are raised too much by the rails. this happens at the bottom. I dont mind not having adjustable rails. the problem is getting the welder to drill the holes exactly for type high.

IMG_2967.JPG

Mick,

OK.

I understood all of your explanation including the Thompson reference. I was not attempting to answer how to fix the situation yet. I was trying address the question asked as to whether Golding ever made adjustable rails. It was not so obvious to me that it was aftermarket. I must say upon further reflection, I also do think it is. At one point (late) Golding made the rails removable on some Jobbers and I think someone may have altered the simple countersunk flat head screws that normally just hold the rails on, into what we are seeing in the photo. Not many presses are seen with these removable rails, but, they exist, and I think this is one of them that has been modified. I have been trying to find an image of the bottom screw to see if it looks the same as on this press but have been unsuccessful. The top one is usually a countersunk flathead and the middle one looks pretty much the same as this one. That’s my guess anyway. Your fix sounds appropriate to me, but, I wouldn’t try adding any further complication if it were me. I might try a thin lock washer under the socket head as well.

JF

lishii,

No additional pictures are needed thanks. The one provided shows enough for me to see this is a late model No. 7. We might have a parts press here in the US that could provide you with the rails that have not been modified as another possible fix. IF none are likely there.

JF

Thanks John, fixing it might be more costly than getting your parts. How much do you recon you could sell them for?

regards, leo

Leo,

OK, I’ll see if I can find some. If not, at least you can rule that out. I’ll make a couple of calls. One contact will not be back until the 14th though.

JF

I am just going through the second option in my head. Having the a mechanism similar to those on a heidelberg platen 10x15 for raising the rails would be ideal but too costly. So i would rather bring the rails back to how they were originally designed.

To drill the holes at the right height would be very hard but perhaps it could be achieved by using the middle bolt as a reference. This as seen in the photos was not modified.

Yes, the rails are detachable. I just assumed all N. 7’s were like that. I had always trusted that it was built around 1904. John, do you know when the late models were built?

lishii,

John alerted me to this post on Pearl Restorer. I currently have two No. 7’s in my garage. One of them has removable rails however it does not look similar to what you posted here. This press has a Serial No. of 3486 and it is dated to around 1914. The other No. 7 does not and has the Serial No. 2291 which dates it to 1903. I am not sure when exactly they made this change.

Another interesting alteration is on the later models the gooseneck supports the ink disc and is essential to run the press. In the earlier model the ink disc support is attached directly to the body. I am wondering if this was to encourage people to buy the ink fountain with the press or if there was another reason.

The attached picture shows the top screw on the removable rails. Unfortunately, the press is seized so I can’t turn it over to see both rail screws. I can post more pictures if you’d like. It does not seem that the rails are adjustable, just removable.

Best,
Matt

1914Golding7removablerails.jpg

thanks Matt. it gives me a great indication of how the rails should look like. I was surprised to read that your press is seized. It looks in pretty good nick from this angle, except for the rollers of course. Mine is very much like yours in the photo.

lishii,

It is no longer seized! Still a little stiff tho:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36967141@N04/9281791372/

If you have a moment, could I trouble you for a picture of your chase lock. I think I am missing a spring on mine.

Thanks,
Matt

Matt, sorry no pic yet. there is no spring. just a latch that uses friction to secure the chase.

i will post a pic this week.

Here is the mechanism to lock the chase. Sorry for the delay. Cheers, leo

Photo not attaching. Trying again

And again…

http://db.tt/0oDYKoxs
http://db.tt/cYLddBPG

lishii, thats great, thanks so much!

Hey guys,

I kind of think there is supposed to be a torsion spring there. They often break and are missing.

John

That would make sense. I am always a bit scared that the latch may slide and release the chase in the middle of an impresion. Ouch!!

John, if you come across a press with the correct mechanism would you be able photograph it?

John and lishii,

Here’s the chase lock on my 1903 No. 7. Obviously this is different due to the ink disc being attached to this part.

I’ve been looking online but all of them are covered up by the ink disc.

1903No7-chaselock.jpg