I want to share my recent experience updating the wiring on an SP-20 motor to add ground. (Disclaimer: I am not an electrician although I consulted with an electrician.) My press arrived with the power cord cut off where it exited the press. So, I needed to add a plug anyway and decided it would […]
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SP-20 Restoration: Adding oil to the motor.
I recently acquired a Vandercook SP-20 in great need of restoration. I’ll be tackling this project over the coming months and will be posting progress and questions as I go along. Luckily, I have most of the major parts! I decided to start with some low-hanging fruit: check to see if the motor had any […]
MoreMore TagVandercook 4 … nothing happens?
Hi, I bought a Vandercook 4 in December, and I have not been able to get it to work. The issue is this: when I throw the power switch, nothing happens. I have replaced both the switch and the indicator bulb, and I have had a local machinist come out to review the wiring, but […]
MoreMore TagUni I motor has trouble starting
My Uni I’s motor for the ink drum has trouble starting. In the past occasionally when I turned it on, it would not turn and would softly hum, but turning it off and on again would restart it. Now it mostly won’t start turning, though if I manually push on the drum it will start. […]
MoreMore TagUniversal III Motor and oiling
I own a Uni III PC AB with a Reliance motor. I wanted to check the oil in the inking motor as there is a bit or a burning smell after a long day printing, and I assume the oil in this decades old machine has never been changed. Thus, it seemed appropriate to replace […]
MoreMore TagHow to replace drive belt for Challenge MP-15?
The drive belt on my Challenge MP-15 just broke. I found a link to buy a new one from Grainger, based on a link Paul had posted for an SP-15 (the specs seem correct, 18″ long, 1/5″ pitch, 90 teeth). Any details on how to remove the ink drum? I assume the procedure is very […]
MoreMore TagChange/rebuilt SP15 motor
Hello,The change of the capacitor has not been enough, the motor stop after less than 10 min… I will take it to a motor repair shop but before, have you any advice to take of the motor from the presse ? Is there anything to know ?Thanks a lot. Thomas
MoreMore TagMotor SP15
Hello, I’m a french letterpress printer. I have a Vandercook SP15 (#22293) with an electric problem: 1 – I turn on the press 2- Main cylinder ink drum don’t move 3- I help the cylinder ink drum to turn with my hand 4- Cylinder ink drum start turning 5- 30 seconds after, the fuse of my electric switchboard blows ! (I […]
MoreMore Tag#4 Drive Belt Replacement
I’ve replaced the MM144 drive belt on my #4 and adjusted the motor mount to accommodate it. My question is: What is the proper belt tension? How do I how measure and adjust it accordingly? Thanks! Matt
MoreMore TagVandy 4 Ink Drum Rotation
At Skyline Type Foundry we’re well along in the complete restoration of No. 4, serial 16797, rescued last year from 40 years in a junkyard. Just now at the point of installing a new motor, and I realized that I don’t know which direction the ink drum should rotate, and therefore how to wire the motor. […]
MoreMore Tagsp15 Motor specs: please explain for replacement
HELP PLEASE! My sp15 motor crapped out today. I’m pretty sure it’s a goner. It made two sputtering sounds about 3 seconds after turning it on and then died and smoked. I was reading through a past post about replacement motors for the sp15 and the motor specs page and it all seems a little […]
MoreMore TagSp-15 Slowdown
One of our SP-15 presses at UAFS has an oscillating cylinder that is slowing way down shortly after being inked. It doesn’t seem to matter what kind of ink (ie, stiff or loose); it’s as though the ink is too thick. This machine has had a motor replacement (posted a few years back on this […]
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