Cracks on lower pad of Technal 550 press

I want to purchase a used dry mount press to easily mount prints up to 16x20". On eBay is a Technal 550 which the seller states may need replacement of the lower pad because there are many cracks in it. Does anyone know whether this would be necessary if mat board is placed on both sides of the print and board being mounted? I don't believe Technal is still in business so I'm not sure if the pad could even be replaced. Any ideas or suggestions?

I have a Technal (150?) with the platen measuring 12x15". Could this be easily used to mount prints onto boards up to 20x24 so I wouldn't need to purchase another?

Good Afternoon, Ahgreenhill,

Unless the "cracks" are so deep that they threaten the structural integrity of the pad, I wouldn't worry much about them; just use a layer or two of mat board on top of the pad if necessary.

I think you'll find it frustrating to try mounting things in sections. It's certainly possible, but, sometimes at least, the final result will show the effects of sectional mounting. Doing the mounting in a press big enough to handle the work in one pass is the better approach.

Konical

Before I got my Bogen 550 I was using a Seal that had a cracked pad on it.

I always used mat board to sandwich my work and never had any problems.

Jim