Comments for Vanderblog

Comment on L.W. Claybourn by Eric Holub

Eric Holub — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:33:44 +0000

This direction in printing was moving away from original foms for short-run, and into duplicate and finished-composite forms for long runs: nothing at all to do with contemporary letterpress, whether hot-metal or photopolymer. I have a Claybourn catalog and the majority of the equipment is for preparation of electrotype and stereotype plates (flat and rotary), and for wet-proofing of multicolor forms. The few single-color presses are amazing, beyond Vandercook (at least until Vandercook got into four-color much later), and if any are left they are worth saving. Not the best design to revive, though, when you consider the most-desired model today seems to be the SP-15 (inexplicable that it would be the cheapest and weakest model).

Comment on Vandercook manual by Eric Holub

Eric Holub — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:59:34 +0000

Here’s how I understand it: tympan reels that carry the material UNDER the reel have a very secure hold by simple friction, as increased by angles. I have no problem holding acetate and mylar material underhand given enough tail, and turning until the tail catches.
When the tympan tail is held OVER the reel you need additional friction: Vandercook’s own designs included pinbars or spilt reels.Tape is an inferior solution trying to work against intended design.
Paul’s point about the need for lateral play to seat the topsheet is essential.

Comment on Tympan Sources by Nanikatsu

Nanikatsu — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:10:56 +0000

Kelly
Would you tell me your schedule in Tokyo and Minamata?
So, I will hear my frinds of letterpress printer and type foundry.
Someday if you visit to Osaka, Please visiting my studio.
Yuichiro

Comment on Vandercook Composing Room Cylinder Info by Paul Moxon, Moderator

Paul Moxon, Moderator — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 02:22:48 +0000

I have a one page instruction sheet and a sales sheet I can send you.

Please look for a serial number on the right end of the bed near the hole for a lock up pin. It would be under the galley bed plate and grime/rust.

Comment on Tympan Sources by Kelly Shields

Kelly Shields — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 00:22:17 +0000

I am going to be in Tokyo and Minamata in 2 weeks and I would love to visit a Japanese letterpress studio and possibly purchase some supplies. Yuichiro, can you please give me any advice or suggestions? Thank you!
Kelly Shields

Comment on Aligning Vandercook No. 4 Cylinder Carriage by Paul Moxon, Moderator

Paul Moxon, Moderator — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 21:29:39 +0000

Denise: You should find that the gear racks on the No. 3 are a single piece on each side. This means that you will need to retime the carriage at the end of the bed after removing the bumper blocks. You will also need the help of two friends.

Comment on Aligning Vandercook No. 4 Cylinder Carriage by denise

denise — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:36:37 +0000

Would this method work the same way with the No. 3? Thanks!

Comment on Universal III Power carriage drive motor/gearbox by Paul Moxon, Moderator

Paul Moxon, Moderator — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:11:24 +0000

Byron, I don’t have any experience with this. I will get someone who has swapped out their electronics to chime in.

Comment on Universal III Power carriage drive motor/gearbox by Byron Brauchli

Byron Brauchli — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 04:16:35 +0000

So you don’t think that a dc motor controller could work instead of a clutch? The electronics they have in them gives them constant torque from 0 to full speed. The motor on my etching press is usually set to only at 20-25% with incredible pressure for photogravures, it’s never overloaded, not even with enormous plates. The controllers also have internal settings which can be varied and regulate the speed of acceleration and electronic braking when you set them at 100%

Comment on Universal III Power carriage drive motor/gearbox by Paul Moxon, Moderator

Paul Moxon, Moderator — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 17:02:18 +0000

I suspect that gearbox/clutch assembly will have to be fabricated. Byron, check with Baldor/Reliance to see if they can provide some guidance. I’m thinking you can copy the gear/clutch on Soo Lee-Spaw’s Universal I Power carriage motor. If this sounds too complicated, consider converting to a hand crank. See this thread: http://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/2008/01/universal-iii-carriage-conversion/

More and more owners are needing to repair or replace motors. I am collecting all the specs I find. The range of output RPM is approximately 112-117 for original ink motors and 123-170 for original power carriage motors. My data is not yet complete, so if any one can help, please see: http://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/maintenance/motor-info/

Comment on Universal III Power carriage drive motor/gearbox by Gerald Lange

Gerald Lange — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 02:59:03 +0000

I’ve read somewhere that each of the motors for the Universal III were specific to the press. To the point that you had to repair them rather than swap them out.

Even if that is inaccurate where can you possibly find the other parts? “a Universal III P which arrived less the carriage drive motor/gearbox/clutch assembly”

Gerald

Comment on Universal III Power carriage drive motor/gearbox by jhenry

jhenry — Thu, 30 May 2013 15:01:34 +0000

I ran a cycle on two different Uni III presses just now and find that at the highest speed the cylinder takes 3 seconds from feedboard to release point and at lowest speed it takes 5 seconds.
Both of the presses had The same motor/gearbox setup which was a 1/4 HP DC motor.

John Henry