I posted back in 2015 about a sad Hacker #4 that was being donated to the San Jose Printers’ Guild. We have spiffed it up a bit and have used it every year since then to print posters at the annual Bay Area Printers’ Guild and Wayzgoose. Since the press only had holders for two […]
MoreMore TagReassembly after new rollers on 215/4
I just got new rollers for my Vandy 215/4 and gave the parts on the roller frame, gears, etc a thorough cleaning. When i try to put the pin in the clutch block, it does not seem to want to go either way. What am I doing wrong? (BTW, ain’t them new rollers purty??)
MoreMore TagReprex Carriage Back Side
These Reprex No. 1 photos are posted in reply to Cranky Sue’s Briar Press post, where image views can’t be enlarged.
MoreMore TagSP15 form roller adjustment knobs stripped?
My form rollers are too low, but the adjustment knobs seem totally ineffective. I got the press somewhat recently and it was a student press before I got it, so who knows what it’s been through. I think the knobs are likely stripped — does anyone have experience with an issue like this? Is it […]
MoreMore TagSP-15 – snapped bolt
Hello from Newfoundland, Canada! Yesterday a bolt snapped off on my SP-15 in the assembly that lifts and lowers the top two steel rollers. This assembly is located in the area marked in red. I’m looking for a replacement bolt, and have contacted Fritz @ NA Graphics, just wondering if anyone has any information/insight into […]
MoreMore TagNoise on Vandercook 215
This press is similar to a #4. I was trying to raise the form rollers (the lollipop showed them as being too low). I was able to raise the form rollers on the operator side, but not on the gear side. I suspected the form roller bearing bar had come loose (it has two bolts […]
MoreMore TagWestern 4c forme roller gear wear & noise
Hi Paul, I’ve recently taken on a Western 4c which whilst operational hasn’t been looked after very well in certain areas. Consequently there are some issues, one of which is a kind of whining noise that is audible as the cylinder travels across the bed. This only occurs when the forme rollers are engaged. Close […]
MoreMore TagVandy 4 drum Chain rattle & distributer roller pause
Hello friendsI have 2 issues I could use some help with: 1. the chain from ink drum to motor is gaining rattle and seems to have some slack (perhaps from the two rags that have gotten caught in the last decade? i’m not sure if the rattle is getting worse, or just bothering me more) […]
MoreMore TagSP15 mis-registration
Dear Paul, I shouldn’t think you remember me as it must be over 15 years ago I sought your advice with regards to my Vandercook SP15 serial #22245 – there was a suspected broken spring. I dismantled the carriage, cleaned it up, re-greased it and put the press back together again! I obviously set up […]
MoreMore TagCensuses Updated
Dutch designer, printer, and press mechanic Thomas Gravemaker recently supplied a list of European-made cylinder proof presses known to him. This has allowed me to increase and update the Asbern, Korrex, and Vandercook censuses and to add two new censuses for Eickhoff and Grafix presses. Please review and let me know if you have any […]
MoreMore TagNo. 4 Trip/Print screws
Hello! Just beginning my Vandercook journey and bringing a recently acquired No. 4 back (I hope!) to working, and I’ve been working on getting the trip/print mechanism to engage properly. The earlier posts on this issue have been incredibly helpful. I think I’ve narrowed the problem down to the fact that the sheet metal bracket […]
MoreMore TagVandercook 4 Cylinder Misaligned
we aren’t able to slide the paper into the latches as the cylinder rolls up too close… worried we may have to take it off to repair? Does anyone have any ideas?
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