Hello
I’m a graphic designer in Spain. I’m planning on setting a press here. I’ve been offered an Asbern AD1 and a Vandercook Universal I. The Asbern is cheaper but I don’t really know if the Vandercook is much better, if it’s really worth paying more.
As you can see, I have no experience in this matter
Can any body help?
Thanx everybody!
Thanks Thomas, we have metric fasteners in the states, but I forgot that US customary unit fasteners are not readily available in Europe. Still, worn brass roller bearings and other specialty parts will have to be custom fabricated wherever one is located. Dafi’s site is a great resource for Swiss FAG presses, but for Asbern’s there is just a Twitter account http://twitter.com/asbern that offers mostly general letterpress info. Jose, if you do chose the Asbern, let us know, some readers here have Asbern’s and may be able to provide a manual. Either way, I’d like to add you to the census.
Yes, but do bear in mind that an Asbern is a press built in Europe, using metric nuts, bolts, screws and rollerbearers and that it will be less difficult to get those parts over the counter. All spare parts for the Vandercook have to be ordered in the States. Check out this site by Dafi Kühne as well: http://www.proofpress.ch
Sevral Asberns are in use in Europe, but probably not listed in the census.
Thank you very much, Paul!
I’ll have to make up my mind.
Condition is the main consideration, but you should also keep in mind that there is no sources for Asbern parts. Vandercook parts are available from NA Graphics.
The Vandercook census shows over 300 Universals worldwide.
The Asbern census shows 34 presses, there maybe another 3 dozen more not listed.