Author: foxfoundpress

The Fox & Found Press Story I’ll tell you more about the inspiration for the press name sometime... • Fox & Found Press is a soon to be relocated (in Halfmoon Bay, on the Beautiful Sunshine Coast of BC) vintage letterpress studio where type for your project can be hand-set in metal and/or wood, and hand-printed on vintage and antique letterpress presses. As well, illustrations are carved in linoleum and/or wood blocks. • Lots of new equipment being added to the shop when things get rolling again in the new space, fall 2018, stay tuned for updates! View my LinkedIn profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/madillo Join me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FoxAndFoundPress View photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fox-and-found

SP-15 Cylinder Carriage Bearings Issues

I undertook the arduous task of adjusting the 6 cylinder carriage bearings on my SP15, after still experiencing uneven inking and impression with newly recovered rollers. Thanks especially to Gerald’s comprehensive “Adjusting Cylinder Carriage Bearings” article, without which I never would have undertaken the ordeal: https://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/articles/lange-adj/ And with Fritz’s recently found comments within Paul’s “Common […]

Lubricant for 05 impression cylinder shaft bearing?

Quoting from sheet 108 of the sparse Vandercook 05 proof press manual sheets: – SAE 20 motor oil is recommended for all moving parts. – Ball bearings X-2688 and X-2698 are packed in grease and require no further attention. I’ve not had a chance to disassemble and investigate the carriage assembly thoroughly enough to get […]

Durometer spec for Vandercook 05 impression cylinder?

I’m getting the impression cylinder recovered on my 05 proof press and am hoping to find the original Vandercook specification for the durometer on the Vulcanized rubber coating. Mine is probably still sporting the original rubber which is very hard and not very pliable at the moment. I heard durometer 70 somewhere… Can anyone provide […]

Mystery SP15 spare parts

The previous owner of my SP15 left a small bag of spare parts in the cabinet, I post a photo below. The springs at top left are straightforward, the bottom left piece appears to be a damaged wiper spring, the piece above it a leftover trip spring but the 2 pairs of flat bars and […]

SP15 “bearer controlled form roller support system” + nylon wipers

I’m hoping to clarify a few SP15 related mysteries. Apologies in advance for the multiple reference photos….

Graphite powder suitable for gripper posts

Would the type of graphite sold for bicycle chains be suitable for lubricating SP-15 gripper posts? But I was hoping to find it in a dispensable container, not pressurized in a can, to avoid a mess. Where’s a good spot to find it in small quantities? Thank you.

PSI of pressure exerted by flatbed press?

Can anyone tell me just how many pounds of pressure are exerted while printing on Vandercook flatbed presses (SP-15) or indeed other models such as C&P platens?

Freeing up jammed positive lock-up bar

I have a badly corroded lock-up bar that I would like to free up. I see numerous good suggestions on how to remove rust, but considering the steel AND aluminum construction of this bar, any suggestions on a type of penetrating oil or rust remover that would work on the movable steel components while not […]