M series Archives - vandercookpress.info

Adjustment Advice for 15MP

Hello Everyone, This is my first post here, so I ask that you bear with me if I say something obvious or written about previously. I have two adjustment questions. The first involves the inker base, image below. It seems to be at a pretty severe angle to me. Is there an adjustment for this? […]

SP15 issue – uneven inking along length of bed

Not sure why I always run into issues when on deadlines… Having an issue where I get an impression but there just isn’t any ink on the form and would love to hear any thoughts on what the problem/solution might be. The uneven inking is happening for the length of the press bed. Was printing […]

Challenge 15MP been in storage for 40 years

I have recently lucked onto a Challenge 15MP that is lightly used and been stored in a dry building for 40 years. It has some light surface rust but nothing that fine steel wool can’t take care of. Everything moves and ball bearings seem to be fine. Here’s my question: can I adequately clean and […]

How 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 […]

SP-15 Questions

Hey All, I have a Challenge 15MP which is the knock off of the SP-15 and am having two issues that I would love some help figuring out. Question #1: Oscillating Roller Recent home construction resulted my contractor accidentally flooding the room where I keep my press with very fine concrete dust. I cleaned off […]

Challenge 15MP Chatters

My daughter has a Challenge 15MP. Sometimes when she returns the carriage to the feedboard, the gears “chatter,” that is, the gears are not matching up and it makes the carriage shake. I’ve looked at it and don’t see anything obviously wrong. I did note that she does not turn the power inking off when […]

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 […]

Challenge 15MP oiling question

Hello All, I have a Challenge 15MP (similar to the Vandercook SP15). Not having an extensive manual for this particular press, I am not sure I’m finding all the appropriate oil ports to lube it correctly. Does anyone have a schematic showing proper oiling points for this press? If not, is there one for the […]

Challenge 15MP carriage bearing adjustment

Hello all, I made the first adjustments to the lower two eccentrics on either side of the carriage today, gaining a much more even impression across the width of the bed. Special thanks to Gerald Lange, Fritz Klinke, and others for their very helpful posts/articles here on the Blog re: this topic. The remaining issue, […]

Setting Impresion Bearings

Hello All, I’m having a grand old time trying to set the bearings on my Challenge 15mp and it’s been over two weeks of adjusting, proofing and re-adjusting. The main issue I’m finding is that my carriage shifts once the rear impression bearing comes in contact with the rail, causing the rollers to rise and […]

CHALLENGE 21MP

Hi All, I am helping to restore her Challenge 21MP. It seems the inking rollers and assembly are missing. Maybe dutifully taken off the press after printing and forgotten about. The cores and rubber are not as much of a problem to replace as the gear and other metal parts that attach to the rollers. […]

Help with ink distribution roller Challenge 21MP

Hi folks! I’m hoping that your collective knowledge can help with a Ink Distribution Roller issue. I have a Challenger 21MP. I’ve restored it and it is in great shape….except for the Ink Distribution Roller. I’m not familiar with the guide mechanism for oscillating the roller. When I opened the roller I found the shaft […]

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