A video… This is the most recent press to cross the threshold at The Arm. It didn’t take too much fiddling to replace the microswitches across the back of the press, clean out the control box and get it cycling back and forth, but it is pausing for a full five second count at the [...]

Donald Kerr at University of Otago [New Zeeland], informed me of his institution’s Vandercook made by Pre Press Ltd. of London. His photos show a carriage nameplate stating that it is a “No.4″:http://vandercookpress.info/years35-53.html#4. However, the cabinet and feed board styling (and presumedly the inking system were it present) is that of a “215″:http://vandercookpress.info/years35-53.html#215. Interested readers [...]

The grippers work fine on our SP-15 when we use the foot pedal to insert the paper, but they do not properly release the paper at the end of the print. Other than adding some shims behind the bracket that activates the gripper lever at the end of the print action, is there another method [...]

The oscillating metal roller on my recently acquired #4 has been having a little bit of trouble making making its way back and forth when I ink up. It was sticking just as it reached it closest position to the operator, when the worm gear was no longer visible, I guess at the point where [...]

My newly purchased SP-15 is now moved into its new home and I’ve been able to take a close look at it for the first time (I bought it based only on photos so couldn’t see all details). It looks to be in very good shape (no rust or dents) with no major parts missing. [...]

This blog is six months old. Thank you to all the registered users, you now number 83. Together we have generated 55 posts (viewed over 10,000 times) and 254 comments. While these numbers are small, some good information has been captured and catagorized for the common goal of extending the life of these presses. To [...]

i just bought a lovely vandercook 4, there is a vice grip spring loaded attached to the bar that runs across the width of the press under the bed…when i return the carriage, the vice grip engages and makes a clunking sound. what gives? the previous owner said he thinks there was some problem with [...]

I have just acquired the above press, and am looking for people who have experience using one. The serial number is 8596. I want to use it for printing invitations and other small pieces. This is a tabletop, hand-ink press with a crank and a 16×21 bed. I cannot seem to find a visual of [...]

I have a disassembled 320 who’s missing a few parts. I have no idea where they went to, probably some sculpture kid ran off with them. Anyway, as I see it I have 3 options. 1] find replacement parts from a scrap press 2] machine new parts based on actual pieces or plans 3] sell [...]

My manual for the Universal III shows that it was available with either a 42 inch or 30 inch feed board. Both of my Universal IIIs have the longer one, but also have a bed extension at the far end of the press bed. This makes the press akwardly long and difficult to get around [...]

Hello, I have just purchased a Vandercook model SP-15. I’m just starting out in letterpress printing and have taken some workshops but hadn’t expected to be owning a press of my own quite yet. But as luck will have it, I had one fall on me, so to speak. My question is, I’m going to [...]