Our inking roller on our Vandy 3 is a bit worn, so we’re wondering if we should get it replaced before we print an initial run. We tried it out before purchasing the press, just to test it out, and it seemed to distribute the ink pretty well since it is still quite soft. That [...]

I’m purchasing and donating a 325g to a artists studio non-profit and need to have some comps on the value for my 2011 taxes.  Apparently the IRS likes to see comps and won’t just accept the receipt for what I paid as a full picture of monetary  value. The press has new rollers and is [...]

Hello Vanderblog, I went to look at a Reprex proof press today. It hasn’t been used in about 20 years and it’s pretty dirty, there’s an oily goo all over the ink drum and the bed of the press, but it seems in pretty good mechanical condition. I’m considering buying it but have some questions [...]

Last month, I posted a query about our SP-15 at UA Fort Smith, in which the trip eccentric release mechanism in the cylinder was crashing into the trip release button on the operator’s upon return to home.  (see the original post http://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/2011/02/sp-15-carriage-problem/#comments). This has begun happening again, despite oiling the press every time we print [...]

We have a Vandercook 4 and the foot activated lever that opens the gripper stopped working. The lever is attached to the chain that then goes up through the cabinet and across under the bed to a push rod that pushes out the lever that works the grippers. The problem is in the connection between [...]

I seem to be having an issue with one of the bearers (is that even the right term?) on the rear form roller on my SP-20. I can’t lower the roller height to type-high on that side. I can on the user side, but not on the opposite end. No problem with the front roller. [...]

Finally uncrated the Vandercook 01 I bought on the classifieds. Now to start cleaning.

Here’s the cover and spreads from an eight page booklet (5×7″) showing Vandercook’s Eastern Office and Demonstration Room. Formerly located at 323 East 44th Street, this aerial photo suggests that it had a view of the distinctive United Nations building (foreground), which was completed in 1952. Posted for New York friends in advance of my [...]

The vibrator has been pausing and jumping, so last night I took it apart to see if anything was broken on the crescent or worm gear. Didn’t find any problems, but I cleaned everything and greased it thoroughly before reassembly. Tried it this morning with no ink and it still hesitates at some points in [...]

I’m considering purchasing a reconditioned 325G with new rollers and all fixed up for $6800. It’s a heftier press than I have ever used and uses in ink plate instead of an ink drum. Does anyone have serious problems with their 325G and/or warn against this purchase? I am in upstate NY/Rochester area — does [...]

Our SP-15 (#22182) at UA Fort Smith is missing the nylon wiper (X-20758) that apparently cleans the rails on both sides of the press. Looks like these were replaced at some point with a couple of pieces of thin metal. The other day, on the non-operator side, these bits of metal shifted and on the [...]

Among the Burt Roozee papers I recently acquired is this employee recruitment flyer. This rare, post-WWII ephemera is letter-folded and printed both sides on the same coated sheet that Vandercook used for catalogs. The plant on N. Kilpatrick Ave., shown above, was built by the company in 1928, its replacement was built on W. Touhy [...]