Leslie William “Lex” Claybourn (1883–1956) was a printing process pioneer who was issued over 200 U.S. patents. Like Horace Hacker and R.O. Vandercook, Claybourn worked to improve photoengraving and process plates and to reduce makeready. In 1921, he established Claybourn Process Corp. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which made, among other machines, a multicolor press that printed [...]

Hello I’m a graphic designer in Spain. I’m planning on setting a press here. I’ve been offered an Asbern AD1 and a Vandercook Universal I. The Asbern is cheaper but I don’t really know if the Vandercook is much better, if it’s really worth paying more. As you can see, I have no experience in [...]

I’ve had a Potter #2 for about 10 years. I’ve happily been doing small runs of woodcuts and engravings with it. Still I’d like to make it work like it once did. I’ve got some beat up grippers, but that’s the extent of it. I’m looking for information as to how these presses went together. I have questions, and possibly [...]

Finally- after major refurbishment, which included taking off the plinth bases, de-greasing, de-rusting and painting the underneath-photo of press, yes I know the handle is wrong to the form rollers lifting mechanism I will change it, also photo of the collared bolts that Mick Hopper made for me.  

apologies as is virtually identical to Marianne’s, but all good fun posting..you can see where I have had to deal with rust on the carriage sides, maybe I’ll paint them later, just concentrating on getting it mechanically correct at the moment. I will remove the red paint marked from the holes just either side of [...]

I might? like-should I? to take out/swing out the cylinder to clean the inside faces of the carriage/remove rust etc, it is secured by a bolt each side through carriage side into a block the other side of it on the inner face of the carriage, and the only thing left to do apparently is [...]

Dear Vandercook friends, After consultation with Paul Moxon I am happy to announce that the new FAG proof press platform www.proofpress.ch is online! I’ve been working closely with the archive at FAG Lausanne, Switzerland for more than one year (still in progress…) The webpage is meant to share information about all FAG letterpress cylinder proof [...]

Just taken delivery of a Western “The British” 4C, going through it all to check it out.got to derust the underneath and paint it yet, and work out how to lift out? rotate? the cylinder to clean all the surfaces etc. Here are 2 photos of it, here is another photo of the ink drum [...]

Hi I am thinking of buying this press from Central America but can’t find any info on it! Norman Hicks,    nh@printingequip.com   or 415-575-0933

    I had an inquiry for a manual for a Potter No. 3. Does anyone have one or know someone who might? I did direct this person to the Potter census and to ATF catalog pages posted on the old site.

Revised. Thomas Gravemaker sent these photos of a German-made Grafix proof press used during a recent four day event at Officina Tipografica Novepunti in Besano, Italy. The fourth photo below shows a cylinder trip assembly similar to a Vandercook Universal (1958-76) or a No. 4 (1935-1960). Some Grafix models have an adjustable press bed. The manufacturer Haas & [...]

Howdy, I recently acquired a Reprex #1 press that we are trying to get in running shape. I’m searching for a few Reprex one parts: Lock up bar or deadline bar, the larger trip handle (like a lollipop)that is on the back side of the press and the paper side guide that goes on the feed bar. [...]