Archive for May 2009

How do you party? - Posted May 28, 2009

I’m writing an article for the American Printing History Association Newsletter about the Vandercook centenary. The focus is on the various celebrations such as our Vandercook Centenary Print Exchange, the recently published Vandercook Book (currently on exhibit around the U.S.) and a series of panel discussions that were held at the Center for Book Arts in New York.

I would like to know if anyone else is planning a celebration. Anything goes: large or small, through a school or book arts center or you basement shop. Tell me about your naked Vandercooking marathon, your Fitzcarraldo-esque press restoration, or good old-fashioned beer-drinking-while-some-woman-plays-accordion cleaning party. Just lemme know. We still have six months to go!

No. 4 rear roller will not rotate - Posted

After much successful use, I had to move my Vandercook 4 proof press. In putting everything back where it is supposed to be, I have encountered a problem (actually several problems, but I fixed the sheared drift pin on the gripper foot lever as well as the sticking and bent grippers). After much scouring, I didn’t see a reference to the newest problem. The form roller that makes contact with the ink drum will not move. When the ink drum is rotating, the roller makes contact, but stays stationary. Thus, no ink can be distributed. I am not sure if this is a consequence of my having removed the cylinder to make the press lighter for moving. Is it possible that I did not index the cylinder properly, so that he gear teeth are misaligned? In general, the press does not look out of alignment, but I could be one or even two teeth off without knowing it. The other possible culprit seems to be the clutch assembly. I had problems inserting the bottom frame form rollers, they did not want to seat properly. The roller clutch trip was engaged, and in the way. I cranked the press a bit, the clutch disengaged and the frame dropped into place, but still no movement as it contacted the ink drum.

Any suggestions would be gratefully accepted, I want to get printing again soon.

Gravity press & 4 T problem - Posted May 18, 2009

The Gravity Press census seems like a great idea. I have a Number 0, Serial number 07756, supposedly made in 1953.
But it is my 4T that I need help with. After finally getting all the parts right, new electrical cord and switch, etc., it did not print evenly across the width of the bed. When I checked it with a parallel bar, there was light showing the center section, throughout the bed length. The bed is “dished” to .004 along the centerline. Any ideas on how to remove the cylinder, gripper connection, and so forth so I can have it milled down to flat again? Any ideas are appreciated. Steve S.

Suggestions for model of press to buy - Posted May 14, 2009

I have used an SP-15 and enjoyed it. I would like to get my own press.

However, I’m overwhelmed by the number of types of Vandercook presses available.

I would like a self-inking model.

Which models could people suggest? My space is not really limited.

Vandercook Assembly Line, 1934 - Posted May 10, 2009

assemblyline9-6-34 This photo shows the interior of the Vandercook & Sons plant at 900 N. Kilpatrick Avenue in Chicago. Similar shots are used in catalogs of this era. In the foreground and suspended at left are 219s, further back are what look to be four 22s, a No. 3 and a 17. The plant built by Vandercook in 1928 and used until 1954 it is still standing today.
(Photo courtesy of Don Black Linecasting.)


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