Moving a Vandercook across the country

I’ve just purchased a Vandercook #4 from Dan at The Arm in Brooklyn (yay!) but now I’m figuring out the logistics of moving it from Brooklyn to my home in Asheville, North Carolina. Does anyone know of reliable movers in the NYC area? I’m also exploring the option of moving it myself – any tips or pointers? Thank you!!

Congratulations on getting your #4. Moving this press will require special care. I have some advice from Fritz Klinke which I researched online when I moved my #3 which is very much the same as the #4 but without the motor.

Here’s Fritz Klinke of NA Graphics basic advice:

The basic weight of an SP-20 is 1140 lbs. (I would guess the #4 is about the same).

Move the cylinder to the center of the press bed and tie it down. These presses are top heavy and like to tip over quite easily.

The metal cabinet of the press may buckle if that area is used to lift the press, so avoid the center and go for the corners which are strong. A pallet jack is a potential hazard in moving Vandercooks, even if the press is on a pallet. Move carefully and slowly with plenty of help.

Klinke also says to assume the worst and expect the worst. Klinke has seen more than a few Vandercooks in his time that needed expensive repairs after moving damage.

I’ve moved my #3 about 5 times since I got it in 1994. I centered the cylinder and secured it with rubber door stops beneath the cylinder on both sides. Then used bungee cords to hold it in place.

Remove the handle if you can. It’s probably secured with a taper pin, which means that the pin must be driven out of the handle from the narrower opening, from below. I would then put a moving blanket over the entire press and shrink wrap around it, including the drawers or doors so they don’t fly open. The feedboard can also be removed to make it easier to move into narrow places.

The last time I moved my press, I had special movers called “riggers” who are skilled in moving machinery. These guys are worth every penny. There are movers in the NYC area who will do long distance moves, but just make sure they’re licensed and insured. Most movers in NYC are, as rules are very strict in most NYC properties about who can move items in and out of buildings so if you find someone you want to hire, ask for their current insurance certificate (this is a common request) so you have a copy of that info should something happen.)

To move my #3, the riggers lifted the corners of the press with a Johnson bar and used piano dollys under the front and back corners, but again, you need someone who knows what they’re doing. You can perhaps contact some piano movers who may be up for moving this press. Worth a try.

I’m assuming the folks at the Arm must have moved presses a few times- do you know how they did it? Are they willing to help set up a move? And once you get it to your studio in N.C. you’ll need good help to move it into place one it arrives. It’s an epic thing, moving machinery. I’ve moved my entire letterpress studio 3 times and it’s important to take time and spend the funds to do it right.

Best of luck with the move and happy printing!

Paulette Myers-Rich, Traffic Street Press, St. Paul/NYC

Thank you so much!! This is incredibly helpful.

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