Moving a Vandercook 4 into a basement

I’ve read through numerous posts on here and realize that moving a press into a basement has a whole host of issues associated with it. Those aside, I’m just trying to find out if anyone has ever done it, had success - and if so, what all it took to make it happen.

Keeping my press in storage is killing me and while moving it into my basement is not ideal, it’s one option I have so gauging feasibility. My biggest concern is that I’m pretty sure I’d have to dismantle the press to get it into the basement (stairs and doorway constraints).

Open to any thoughts, advice (outside of don’t do it), or anecdotes.

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I’ve moved 3 proof presses 2 times, not into basements, though.

Definitely you have to start by measuring the width of the door ways or any corners you will need to turn.

Setting the press on dollies is nice enough for ground level moving. But going down a basement is a whole other deal. You need to get a come-along to slowly lower it to the basement. I would board up the steps with some thick enough triply and get strong enough friends who can help you in this ordeal.

If the press is wider than the doorway, first check if removing the handle is enough before you go further. It’s not impossible to remove the whole carriage, I’ve done it while restoring my no.4 but you need two strong people to take it off. This is discussed in some posts at Vanderblog.

You also need to mark with maybe nail polish a point in the gear teeth and bed rack because you need to reestablish timing on the carriage.

If you won’t be removing the carriage, be sure to secure it by tying it down tightly.

I think it’s definitely doable.

Good luck.

I’ve done it with a model 4. It is easier if you have a straight shot from upper door with no landing which turns the stairway. It certainly would be easier if you remove the carriage as that greatly reduces the weight and balance of the machine, but only if you are confidant that you can readjust the impression settings once you’ve replaced it.

With the carriage removed, the body of the press can be handled much as a very, very heavy refrigerator. Be very careful of any levers or pedals which protrude

John Henry