Kelsey Excelsior 3x5 Question

Hi! I just recently purchased my first press, a Kelsey Excelsior 3x5 Mercury Model. It looks to be missing a chase & chase bed (as well as rollers but I knew those would be missing upon purchase). As I am a complete beginner with this, I’m uncertain if I’m right about the missing chase and if it’s needed with this model or not. I had read a post on this site about doing some sort of makeshift setup with a 3/4” for the plates, but again I am such a beginner I have no idea! Any help would be greatly appreciated - also if anyone knows where I can purchase a chase/chase bed for this model please let me know ! Pics posted:)

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Try alan at excelsior press, Just google excelsior press and it should pop up. Good luck Jerry at The Four Dogs Press

I just bought the same press. As a newbie, I’m wondering if you got yours going. Was it difficult? I would love to be in touch with someone with the same little press.

Yes, you are missing both the chase and the chase bed. I’ve attached the only picture I have on my phone right now of my Kelsey 3 by 5, but email me if you’d like to see some more. (The picture shows the chase bed in the press, but not the chase.) I would think you would need a chase to print, but Alan will know better than I. It certainly will be a lot easier with a chase. Hope this helps!

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A very good example of what you get on Ebay. No chase or chase bed. But “ready to print” - nope. Also no rollers or paper grippers either. This is typical of the Kelsey presses I buy for parts. It took 3 of these to finish my fully restored Kelsey 3x5. So I got lotsa junk parts left over. At least you have a Ink Disc - that’s good. The ink roller holder or “saddle” should be checked over for “cracks” in the old cast iron part. My advice is to put this one on the shelf and buy a restored 5x8 Kelsey. I love the 3x5, but for real small letterpress the Kelsey 5x8 is the best…