Author Archive

Centenary bundle - Posted January 21, 2010

I’ve just put my contribution on flickr and thought it would be great if others could upload theirs to show the great un-washed masses what a super project it was…

Creasing/Die-cutting on a Vandercook? - Posted August 10, 2008

Alot of cutting and creasing in the UK seems to be done on Heidlebergs – I haven’t got one of those, so my question is this: does any one use their Vandercook for cutting and/or creasing and if so what do you use?

For cutting I assume you would pack/protect the cylinder from the die with absorbent material – is there a hard rubber blanket people use?

For creasing I can envisage using brass rule – or are there dedicated creasing ‘widgets’ out there?

Thanks

John Christopher

Rubber feet pads - Posted June 25, 2008

In the Vandercook sp-15 manual it states the press should be set on synthetic rubber pads – with packing in order to correct any unevenness. Does anyone use these pads, if so what are they like – their depth for example – I can envisage something like a mouse mat.

John Christopher

Sp15 Motor and Ink Drum Unit - Posted June 11, 2008

On the sp15, the motor unit and ink drum are held under the press bed within a unit mounted on two pivots. Two springs create tension on the unit enabling it to spring back up after the impression cylinder has travelled over it. What I want to know is how ‘springy’ this assembly should be – an adjustable padded bracket on the non-operators side controls the amount of play this unit has: the higher the bracket is fixed, the smaller amount of spring the ink drum has.

Thanks!

John Christopher

Vandercook centenary - Posted June 8, 2008

Given that next year 2009 is the Vandercook centenary I thought the occasion could be marked in some way – so I thought I’d get the ball rolling – there would appear to be 1011 presses out there at the last count, I wonder how many owners would consider a joint project where each would print something on the theme of 100 or centenary or Vandercook etc. with a view to creating a limited edition publication?

Just a thought – your input is welcome

John Christopher

Vandercook & Sons Metal Fabricating Pin Punch - Posted March 18, 2008

I spotted this on ebay 370033826590 – somebody might be interested – what is it?

John

arcane devices

sp-15 another part identification required - Posted May 29, 2007

can anyone tell me what other parts would be required to make the sheet finger operate – view the parts i have on flickr

thanks again!

john christopher
arcane devices

SP-15 for sale in Brooklyn - Posted May 15, 2007

Noticed this on the Briar Press website – is this being sold by anyone on here?

[ Link invalid ]

best

john christopher

broken spring on an SP-15 - Posted May 14, 2007

hi all

I’m calling on the fount of collective knowledge here with a technical question. I’m refurbishing an sp-15, and as I was cleaning up the underside of the cylinder carriage I noticed that a rocking lever arm (what is I assume part of the trip mechanism) was sprung with a flat spring on one side – the operator side – but not on the other side. Closer inspection revealed that the spring on the far side had snapped off at some point. My question is – it appears a very complicated operation to replace the spring, is it essential for the press operation?

with thanks and best wishes

john christopher
arcane device press

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