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 […]
MoreCategory: Other Brands
Reprex 1 Manual
I have a Reprex 1 proof press that has a broken trip/print mechanism and need a manual for direction in fixing it or at least that would provide a picture of what it should look like and how it works. Also, the tray that captures all the ink under the drum is filled with hardened […]
MoreProof presses for sale
FAG letterpress proofing press. Print area 38cm x 57cm. Single Phase. 520kg FAG Standard type CP-50. Free delivery and installation in most of UK. Free shipping abroad to nearest port.Korrex Berlin 50 x 70cm bed. superb for posters Korrex Berlin, Lovely condition. Korrex Berlin letterpress proofing press. Bed size 50cm wide x 70cm long. Single […]
MoreChallenge 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 […]
MoreChallenge 15KA, manual and trip operation
Does anyone have access to a manual for a Challenge 15KA? I was helping Green Pea Press in Huntsville Alabama get theirs up and running from a pile of press parts. We are still having trouble with the trip operation. This particular press doesn’t have the roller mechanism installed yet. We were able to get […]
MoreHacker press – what parts are missing and what can be done?
I was contacted by someone with a couple of presses he wants to find new homes. One is a Hacker. I haven’t seen it yet, but he said it was missing some parts and sent a few photos. There are 3 rollers that need to be recovered, but probably no other parts of the ink […]
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 […]
MoreHacker #4 Restoration
I have completed the restoration on this Hacker #4. Here is the history as I know it: 1. The press was purchased 1/31/1929.( A date on the bed said Apr. 12. I assume 1928) The company that bought it was Grey Ketterer & Hansen, Inc. It was later sold to Columbus Engraving Corp. 2. The […]
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 […]
More
FOR SALE: Vandercook Universal III, C&P Pilot, Challenge Cutter & More
We at Tweedle Press have moved on to greener pastures and although we are reluctant to part with our beloved equipment – we feel certain that they would be happier to be used more often. See below for a list of the major pieces we are selling out of our house in Woolwich, Maine (about […]
MoreWhat Durometer for Form Rollers for Hacker (or Vandercook)?
I am in the process of purchasing a Hacker 4, and would like advice on what durometer measurement the form rollers should be for printing mainly type or photopolymer plates. Perhaps the durometer would be the same for a Vandercook press. Any advice would be welcome.
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! […]
More