Just when I thought there wasn’t much more to be learned about Vandercook history, I saw this circa 1943, full-page display ad in a trade journal on ebay for a ink manufacturer touting their two-color Vandercook. The running footer on the back of this page reads “Packaging Catalog” (WorldCat). The carriage looks similar to the […]
Morerollers + inconsistent inking
Hi Paul, Thank you so much for your help earlier this year with replacing our Vandercook [SP20] trip switch [springs]. I have run into another issue that is raising some questions now and I thought you may be a good person to ask. Our ink rollers work great some of the time and there are […]
MoreNo. 4 carriage latch spring in pieces :'( … looking for replacement
Hello! One of our No. 4s has a shattered X-10161 spring causing the carriage to not catch on its return to the feed board. The spring holds up the carriage latch (?) that the carriage needs to catch. I attached photos of the broken spring, an identical intact one on our other No.4, and the […]
MoreVandercook SP20 primary roller isn’t level
I noticed the primary roller of our SP20 was only making partial contact with the form rollers resulting in uneven inking. It seems to be slightly uneven with the operator side going lower. I already tried adjusting the form rollers but that didn’t work. How would we fix this issue?
MoreVandercook SP20 For Sale
FOR SALE – Vandercook SP-20 proof press in great condition. New rollers, automatic wash-up, and a ductor roller for additional inking (part of the ink monitor that’s included but not functional). Serial no. 26720 manufactured in 1967 – will print up to 19.5”x 28”. Perfect for posters or larger prints and works well for smaller […]
MoreVandercook 320G For Sale
FOR SALE – Vandercook 320G proof press in working condition with used rollers that ink a slab sitting behind the impression cylinder. This press is completely operated by hand (no motor required) and boasts a large sheet size of 20”x30”. Serial no. 5348 manufactured in 1930. Perfect for posters or larger prints using woodblocks or […]
MoreRiders Not Riding!
The rider rollers on my newly acquired Model 4 aren’t making even contact with the forms. On the front roller I can pass a piece of 12 pt card stock between halfway across the roller’s length. The back one is better but still light on the same (operators) side. The forms are accurately adjusted to […]
MoreRemove feed board SP-15
Hello I am about to move my first press home and wonder what tools are needed to remove the feed board? It is out of town so I need to take what I need with me. thanks. Ray Bidegain
MoreWorn chain on one of our Universal 1 presses
Hello,We need to replace a worn chain on one of our UNIVERSAL 1, #21175, 1961The chain has stretched and is now rattling along the inner shelf of the press. I have used shims in the motor mount in the past to take up some of the slack, but I would like to find a source […]
MoreRoller bearings seized
The bearings inside the tracking wheels, that run along the underside of the bed, of my proof press are seized up. In the attached photo, you can see the two that are on this side of the press. I’m trying to figure out how to get them turning freely. They appear to be sealed bearings. […]
MoreFaster, better, stronger
This site has completed the migration to a new hosting service. I’m striving to make it more responsive on your browser, tablet, and phone, and I welcome your input.
MorePublic Letterpress Organizations Page
I have added a new page with a data table listing public letterpress organizations that have flatbed cylinder proof presses. I welcome the addition of new entries: Public Workshops
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