I’m considering grabbing an SP-15 press but, like many presses out there, getting it into running order will require some TLC. The press bed, cylinder rack, bed bearers, under rails, gripper pedal, trip latch & rail along the bed, steel cabinet, and feed table all check out and seem to need nothing more than heavy […]
MoreCategory: Fabrication
Challenge 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, […]
MoreMissing Hacker #4 Part
I am restoring a Hacker #4 and I am missing a part. It is a bar that connects the cylinder to the bed trip lever. I have a picture of the part on another Hacker, and mine without it. If someone out there has the measurements of this part and can post it here, I would be thankful! […]
More232p Set Form Roller Unit Carriage Wear??
Hi Everyone! I’m in the middle of aligning the Set Form Rollers on this old 232p. Struggling somewhat…. But since I noticed something, I like to get some answers before going on: 1, 2, 3 are the roller unit carriage on the press. A, B1, and B2 are rollers from the Upper Ink Unit. […]
MoreNeed rollers for Challenge 1528 KP
greetings all I am new to the forum, and was hoping someone could help me track down form rollers for a challenge proof press. My rollers were thrown out by a janitor (i had them off of my press so i could do some brayering) and it’s been difficult to track any down. i may […]
MoreSourcing a steel bed plate
Other than a junkyard, does anyone have any idea where to source a .050″ cold-rolled steel bed plate to obtain type height on a galley-height press? Thanks for any assistance.
MoreMachining a metal rider roller for SP-15
I got an SP-15 press with a missing rider roller. I purchased the brass end pieces from NA Graphics, and am about to go to my location machine shop and have the roller made, bringing with me a borrowed roller from another SP-15. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? Is there a national company […]
MoreDurometer 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 […]
MoreScrew threads: British vs. American
This will likely be of interest to owners of British-built Vandercooks: Chip Coakley (the Jericho Press) emailed me with the serial number on his No. 4 made by Pre-Press Ltd. and to let me know that its original brass bearing blocks had British Standard Whitworth interior threads. When he bought replacement blocks from NA Graphics, […]
MoreAsbern AD-1
Hello Vanderpeople, I recently acquired a Asbern Ad-1 proofing press, unfortunately the power inking assembly has been long removed. Looking either for a scrap asbern or inking assembly, if one exists or specs on replicating the assembly. Any advice helps. serial# 8038 ADR-1 -keegan
MoreVandercook 099 Proofpress – Poor Impression
I just purchased a Vandercook 099 Proofpress (https://vandercookpress.info/timeline/2/#099). It is in great working condition and has been well taken care of. I have experience with a Vandercook press but not this one. I have to ink the plate by hand and then place the paper on the form (it did not come with the optional […]
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