Affordable presses

Here’s a deal—2 10x15 Heidelbergs in a single package for a total of $2500. And judging by the pictures, these appear to be clean and well kept presses—maybe worth a look:

Paragon Graphic Machinery, Inc., 34 W. Washington Ave., Pearl River, NY 10965, email [email protected]

I realize that anything that moves at the speed of light of a Heidelberg compared to a 5x8 Kelsey, or a lightwight Pearl is intimidating, but if there is any serious intent of printing as a business vs. a hobby, then there are plenty of options out there. Once a press is being shipped, distance is not that big of a deal. I shipped a Vandercook Universal I once to the Bank of France in Paris and it cost me more to get it to the next carrier 100 miles away than it did from New Mexico to France that included ocean transport, rail in France, and then delivery to the bank’s location.

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I recently learned that if you use a freight company to ship equipment, that you want to read what is required by the company.
The shipper knocked the base completely out from under a double set of 49” Hamilton flat files. After 8 weeks of deliberation, this was the official reply.
“After review we have not found ABF responsible for the damages. The NMFC requires this
product to be in a box or crate, but it was strapped to a pallet without protection. Failure to
comply with the NMFC packaging requirements is a breach of the Bill of Lading terms and
conditions and relieves the carrier of liability.
In light of this we must disallow payment of your claim in its entirety.”
They peirced 14 gauge steel with a forklift.
Just make sure that you know what you are getting into. Crate the equipment. Make receipts, even on a cash deal, its your gonna ship.
P.S. the press arrived safely.

Horror stories with ABF (with a totally unexpected ending)—they dumped a Universal I off the truck tail gate in Santa Fe. My visitor in the shop when I got the call was the daughter of one of the founders of ABF (also known as Arkansas Best Freightways or some such, thus the ABF). She placed a call to dad or an uncle, and when I called ABF to check on it, the file was on the president’s desk and the whole thing was taken care of in full, including repairs, delivery and pickup from the machine shop I used in Colorado. Otherwise, you’re likely screwed. We always fully crate equipment and buy a one time full value insurance policy for the specific move. I have always used Freightquote.com to book moves and handle insurance. I will never ship common carrier freight in the US without crating and full insurance.

Crating requires time and effort. Here is a Universal I being crated in our shop:

https://flic.kr/p/ubPqN

and here the same press makes it out the back door:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/53177163@N00/albums/72157594417975596