Having recently brought to the shop a nearly untouched SP-25, and in the midst of attempting to sort out the electrical nightmare (550V-3-phase), I’ve run into a problem I’m hoping folks around here might be able to help me with. The press was originally bought in the mid-60s, and it sat in a warehouse as a spare, untouched for 40 years, when it was then sold to someone in Vancouver who was never able to get the electrical working (except for 2 brief runs which quickly blew transformers). This is to say that the thing has hardly been turned over.

The problem is that the rollers were set up in the carriage and sat there breaking down for years and years. As a result, they’ve slowly dripped their ooze all over the ink drum and head-bar, pooling into and around the clean-up-tray beneath. It’s a royal mess, and that ooze has now turned into extremely stiff residue that is all but impenetrable to everything I throw at it.

On working my way into the clean-up, I pulled the chain off the ink drum, and found that it was nearly impossible to turn. That goo has not only covered and badly stained the drum, but it’s run down the ends of the drum and completely gummed up the drive shaft.

I’ve pulled the drum and have removed the X-22994/21484 ink drum arms, as well as the gear and spacing collar from the non-op end to clean those parts, but now I’m a bit lost.

The drum, at each end, has what I assume is a red bearing sticking out, with the shaft running through. When I clamp onto the shaft with some vice-grips and turn it (which takes some serious effort), on one end of the drum the red bearing turns with the shaft, and on the other end the shaft turns but not the bearing. And so I’m not sure which of these two is the correct movement.

I’m also wondering about the anatomy inside the drum. How wide are those red bearings? They each stick out about a quarter of an inch, so how much is hidden by the drum? There is still enough roller goo in the works at each end that any sort of easy movement is gummed right up. I’m reluctant to just keep soaking the ends in degreaser, but I’m also reluctant (although very tempted) to knock the shaft out to free up the bearings, soak everything clean, and then put it back together.

Has anyone run into the same issue with roller goo (or other stuff) gumming up rotation of the ink drum?

Has anyone pulled the shaft from the drum? And, if so, can you fill me in on the anatomy so I know what to expect?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Jason