Comments on: Model 17: No Holds Barred Help Needed http://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/2007/04/21/model-17-no-holds-barred-help-needed/ »A forum for flatbed cylinder proof presses Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:08:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Fritz Klinke http://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/2007/04/21/model-17-no-holds-barred-help-needed/#comment-1046 Fritz Klinke Sun, 22 Apr 2007 07:38:12 +0000 http://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/?p=231#comment-1046 The 17 and 25 are the same press, different bed widths. It has a strange method of feeding the sheet to the grippers at the bottom of the cylinder, using a sheet tray, and the grippers clear the type on both ends of the press cycle. I sent a copy of the original operating instructions to both Rich and Paul, and I'm sitting here pondering the assembly drawing for this press. The print I have is noted being redrawn Sept. 22, 1927, so I'm not sure when this press was actually drawn, but the first serial number card is dated October 1915. Vandercook made a fair number of the 17 and not quite as many of the 25. It appears from the plan that there was a head bar at the ink plate, or at least a stop. The problem with this press is that the bed casting on each side is much higher than the bed of the press and that was to provide for a top and bottom rail for the cylinder bearings, only one of which was adjustable on each side. There's a lot to this press I don't understand and would love to see a video of it in action. It is a fairly complex press to have come out of Vandercook so soon after their initial Rocker press, which was very basic and simple in design. At least by 1927, it was Vandercook & Sons, and no longer The Vandercook Press, so it looks like the boys grew into the business rather fast. The 17 and 25 are the same press, different bed widths. It has a strange method of feeding the sheet to the grippers at the bottom of the cylinder, using a sheet tray, and the grippers clear the type on both ends of the press cycle. I sent a copy of the original operating instructions to both Rich and Paul, and I’m sitting here pondering the assembly drawing for this press. The print I have is noted being redrawn Sept. 22, 1927, so I’m not sure when this press was actually drawn, but the first serial number card is dated October 1915. Vandercook made a fair number of the 17 and not quite as many of the 25.

It appears from the plan that there was a head bar at the ink plate, or at least a stop. The problem with this press is that the bed casting on each side is much higher than the bed of the press and that was to provide for a top and bottom rail for the cylinder bearings, only one of which was adjustable on each side. There’s a lot to this press I don’t understand and would love to see a video of it in action. It is a fairly complex press to have come out of Vandercook so soon after their initial Rocker press, which was very basic and simple in design. At least by 1927, it was Vandercook & Sons, and no longer The Vandercook Press, so it looks like the boys grew into the business rather fast.

]]> By: The Arm NYC http://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/2007/04/21/model-17-no-holds-barred-help-needed/#comment-1041 The Arm NYC Sat, 21 Apr 2007 23:13:25 +0000 http://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/?p=231#comment-1041 Rich, According to the Vandercook Census there is another Model 17 in New Jersey. You might want to get in touch with the owner to get in there to take some photos and measurements and to talk shop. Daniel Morris The Arm Letterpress Brooklyn, NY Rich,
According to the Vandercook Census there is another Model 17 in New Jersey. You might want to get in touch with the owner to get in there to take some photos and measurements and to talk shop.

Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY

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