This question comes via email: Q: Is the Vandercook letterpress capable of printing forms larger than type high? I have a woodblock that I’ve carved, and it is about 1/8″ higher than the type. A: It is possible only if you have a press equipped with an adjustable bed (e.g: 219 AB, 15-21, Universal I [...]

press inspector’s name  on my Uni II also showing  the type height  the press is machined for

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. [...]

I was recently asked about a homemade photopolymer base I use at The Arm and thought it would be of value to post the reply here where it might be of use to others. “The base you saw at The Arm was an acrylic base with an aluminum surface laminated to it. It works okay, [...]

I am about to have replacement bed plates made up for both of my Vandercook 320Gs and my #3 and will have enough of the .050” cold rolled steel to make one extra bed plate.  Would anyone like to buy one for either of these presses?  The price will be fair.  Contact me for details. [...]

Hello, I posted once previously regarding the SP-15 I recently bought and have been cleaning up. This is taking longer than I thought but it is looking better! Meanwhile I’ve been reading and enjoying learning about the press. I am somewhat confused, however, about the maximum sheet size which is listed as 14-3/4×20 inches in [...]

I recently purchased a Vandercook #3. I have used Vandercooks in the past but it has been some time. I was struck by the phrase “galley height” and was wondering what it means exactly. The information that I have found on this press refers to a bed plate that comes with the press. I will [...]

I am about to have a replacement dead bar made up for one of my Universal IIIs and the original I am using as a pattern has a raised center block.  Does this block serve any function?  Should I include it in the reproduction or would I be wasting time and money? Does anyone else [...]

After reading the previous discussion about a misaligned cylinder causing the grippers to smash the form, I thought about the SP20 I’m currently going over (and on which we have not yet printed) and noted that when I received it, the gripper bar was not at 12 oclock when the cylinder was home at the [...]

[Some comments in response to this post concern repair of the Adjustable Bed on Universal I PM] I have what seems to be an older model SP15. It looks exactly like the photos of Vivian Leung’s SP-15, which I have swiped from Briar Press and posted below. It only has four grippers, and the roller [...]

Happy 9-18 Day. The owner of a No. 4T wants to know whether his press has a galley height bed. He mentions that the undercut is .070” and also wants to know the dimensions of the leveler feet, one of which is apparently missing. The simpliest way to find out the height-to-paper of the press [...]