Dutch designer, printer, and press mechanic Thomas Gravemaker recently supplied a list of European-made cylinder proof presses known to him. This has allowed me to increase and update the Asbern, Korrex, and Vandercook censuses and to add two new censuses for Eickhoff and Grafix presses. Please review and let me know if you have any […]
MoreMore TagNo. 4 Trip/Print screws
Hello! Just beginning my Vandercook journey and bringing a recently acquired No. 4 back (I hope!) to working, and I’ve been working on getting the trip/print mechanism to engage properly. The earlier posts on this issue have been incredibly helpful. I think I’ve narrowed the problem down to the fact that the sheet metal bracket […]
MoreMore TagVandercook 4 Cylinder Misaligned
we aren’t able to slide the paper into the latches as the cylinder rolls up too close… worried we may have to take it off to repair? Does anyone have any ideas?
MoreMore TagSP15 Restoration-Print/Trip mechanisms questions
Dear Printers,I was lucky to find an SP15 many years ago, albeit in nightmarish condition. I’m finally able to start restoring it again, and would like to give poor Paul a break from identifying the parts that I didn’t document properly in the dim past, and instead pester other pros with queries. Print/trip functionality […]
MoreMore TagSP20 Drum cam damaging cylinder?
I noticed that the drum cam (especially on the non-operator side) is looking worn. There’s corresponding wear on the cylinder. Does this indicate I need to adjust the screws on the support arms per page 11 in Paul’s book? If so, I’m a little unclear what screws I should be adjusting. thank you!
MoreMore TagA New Collection of Articles by R.O. Vandercook
Fameorshame Press is pleased to announce the publication of Growth of an Idea, Selected Writings on the Modern Proof Press by R.O. Vandercook. Edited and with a Foreword by Paul Moxon. It is a collection of articles published between 1925–38 in the trade journals, The Inland Printer, Photoengravers Bulletin, and Printing Equipment Engineer, illuminating his thinking on developing his machines. […]
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Uni 1 – Grippers will not fully release at the end of the bed
Hello, we have a Universal 1 press, serial # 28671 (1969) that was converted from being a power drive to manual press by Don K. Black. Recently, we have noticed that the grippers are not releasing the paper fully at the end of the bed. The grippers all raise up and open easily at […]
MoreMore TagGurgling Noise from Vandercook Universal I Motor – Help!
Hi all! I have a Vandercook Universal I, and the motor has started to make… a gurgling noise? It’s hard to describe it. It doesn’t sound awful or anything, it’s just loud and different than what I’m used to. Any change in the press scares me to death, so I’m looking for help identifying the […]
MoreMore TagVandercook No 3 – Impression Cylinder Adjustment
The impression (using the ‘rule test’ in the book w/no ink) is noticeably and consistently light on the operator side, so we suspect the operator side of the carriage needs to be lowered. We also noticed that the “ceiling” of the Under Rail is somewhat worn (you can feel a very slight lip on it […]
MoreMore TagUniversal I Dust Cover Fabrication
On a recent trip to Cambridge, Massachusetts, I met Cameron Nobile, the Digital Fabrication Lab Manager at Lesley University’s College of Art and Design, who helped me repair a Universal I. With the resources at his disposal, we discussed his replacing the cracked clear acrylic dust cover. From the photo, one can see the […]
MoreMore TagVandercook 32-28E drive belt replacement
Hi all. I need to replace the drive/motor belt on our 32-28E press. I’m not seeing an easy way to get the old belt up and over the shaft and am thinking I may have to remove the whole assembly, unless I’m missing something. Anyone have any experience with this repair or have a press […]
MoreMore TagUniversal I Ink Drum Repair
I traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts, earlier this month to make press repairs at four print shops. At Lesley University, the main concern was an unlevel ink drum. I had anticipated that one of the ink drum bushings (F-760) had broken or slipped into the drum’s hollow. After removing the drum, my assistant, Chris Bradford (a […]
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