Samson No.2?
I’m currently looking into buying a Samson No.2 oldstyle press. Total I would be paying about $300 including pick up costs. The press is in rough shape with multiple breaks in the cast around the legs and base. It is also almost fully disassembled and i’m not sure if all the parts are present just because i’m not familiar with all part involved.
Is anyone familiar with this press? Would you recommend it and consider it worth taking a risk on and fully repairing? I know I won’t be able to find spare parts for it so if anything is missing it’s a loss.
Any feedback is appreciated and if anyone owns one in working condition please PM me. I’d love to find out more about all the parts so I can make sure everything I need is there.
Thanks
I’m not familiar with this particular press and I’m just a novice when it comes to letterpress, but I grew up around metalworkers, foundrymen, and blacksmiths. It’s going to depend on where the breaks in the casting are as to whether it may be worth trying to fix.
It sounds from your description like the breaks are all in the base castings. These hold a lot of weight, but don’t generally have a lot of shear or torsional stresses so it may be possible to have them welded.
You’ll need to find a competent weldor who knows their way around old cast iron. Ask to see previous similar work or for references. Make sure they’re pre-heating the cast iron before welding to reduce the chance of stress fractures and warpage. A good, long heat-soak in an oven at at least 500 degrees Fahrenheit is best, but it can be carefully done in a forge or with a torch.
As for possible missing parts, almost anything can be recreated given enough time, money and effort. It will be up to you as to whether you want to try.
Michael Hurley
Titivilus Press
Memphis, TN