Recently, while in California, I was asked about the best way to secure Vandercooks to prevent their movement during an earthquake. I hadn’t given any thought to this before. The facilities head at one institution doesn’t want to bolt them to the concrete floor, and faculty wants to be able to move them around the studio as needed. […]
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Patience, Please
My apologies to all new and longtime registrants who have experienced difficulty logging in to vanderblog. When not travelling for workshops and press tune ups, I have been testing anti registration-bot plugins (apps) to rid this site of fake email accounts attempting to register. This is a war that runs hot and cold, but never seems to end. […]
MoreWinter Tune-up Tours
I will be making two Vandercook tune-up tours. One in Florida mid-February and one in the Los Angeles area early March. If interested, please write via the contact form. I will reply with my available dates, cost, etc.
MoreThe Printers’ Album
The Printers’ Album was the house organ of the Challenge Machinery Company. It featured articles on the business of printing, equipment manufacturing, production tips and tricks, and display ads for Challenge products. The five covers that are shown here from 1925–26 are among the best and illustrate some of their manufacturing processes. The magazine began […]
MoreSpring Cleaning 2016
Vanderblog is undergoing a server upgrade. The technical issues are being sorted out. Although the old theme (layout) is no longer supported, rest assured that posts and comments have not been affected and remain searchable. This structural upgrade gives the administrator, yours truly, the opportunity to add functions to better serve the proof press community. I welcome your comments.
MoreAdjustable Bed Surprise
Here’s some lovely photos from Barbara Crocker of her 15-21 who writes “I had been having trouble with my press bed being high on one corner. Thanks to you, I decided to clean the wedges and it has definitely taken care of the bed issues….lubed the wedges and got it back together, much better without mouse […]
MoreChallenge M Series Worm Gear Fabrication
I am having a new worm gear and crescent fabricated for a Challenge M series press.* I intend to have a couple of extra sets made. The cost per set will be $1,150 with free shipping within the US and Canada. This is less than having a one-off made. The Challenge census lists forty-one 15MA/MP and four 21MP. The gear […]
MoreUniversal I Under Rails Rebuild
Hatch Show Print, with the help of the venerable Dave Seat, had rebuilt the worn out under rails on their hand-cranked Vandercook Universal I. Worn out under rails yield uneven impression and the inability to maintain registration. Wear is caused by excessive pressure due to these conditions: 1) an unleveled press; 2) grime buildup on the cylinder bearers, bed bearers, […]
MoreAsbern ADR-1 Oscillator
In June, I tuned-up a Challenge 21MP for Andrew Huot at Big River Bindery in Davenport, Iowa. He also has an Asbern ADR-1 that had a gummed up oscillator. I hadn’t serviced one before, so this was a great opportunity to see what it’s innards look like. The main difference is the crescent is set into a collar that […]
MorePage For Power Carriage Parts Added
From a suggestion by A.J. Masthay and a list provided by Daniel Morris, I’ve begun to compile a data table of replacement parts and their sources for Vandercook power carriage presses. All owners and operators of power carriage presses—including other brands are invited to add information. This table can be found under the maintenance menu at top […]
MoreTalkin Vandercook at the Smithsonian
The Chesapeake chapter of the American Printing History Association is sponsoring a talk I will give at the Smithsonian’s Graphic Arts Collection at 2pm, June 29 in Washington, DC. You … me … and a Uni III AB P … RSVP.
MoreProof Presses in the Wild
The Vandercook census has reached a milestone. There are now 2,000 Vandercook flatbed cylinder proof press still existing worldwide. That’s just 6.6% of the 30,000 presses the company manufactured between 1909 and 1976. To my chagrin, 12% of entries have incomplete data. A few more press that have not been included at their owners request. There are also 73 showcard style office […]
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