I haven’t checked in on the Vanderblog for a long time but wanted to say I had my rails milled at a reliable machine shop in Holyoke, MA, that works on a lot of old press equipment. I removed the bed and transported it to them, they milled the rails on both sides to my […]
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Wear on rails / Carriage bearing adjustments
I have been methodically troubleshooting the irregular impression I get on my 15-21 and have since learned about wear on the rails. I am at a point where I’m wondering if I need to do something really serious or if the amount of wear isn’t a big deal and I can somehow adjust the bearings […]
MoreMore TagNew metal wear creating a burr
Hi – I am noticing new wear on my Vandy #4. A burr is being created at the top and bottom of the metal shown in the picture. You can see the shiny new metal that has been exposed. This is the operator side of the press. I don’t see anything on the other side. […]
MoreMore TagSetting 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 […]
MoreMore TagSP-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 […]
MoreMore TagVandercook 03 – Impression roller and bearings
I am wondering about the impression roller (I don’t know if this is the right name) on this press. I’ve noticed that mine is a bit damaged, with some traces of scoring. I am worried this might cause uneven impression. Is this a roller that can be recovered or is this not a replaceable part? I […]
MoreMore TagNo. 3 carriage ‘bounce’
I recently acquired a Vandercook No. 3. There is still a tremendous amount of cleaning to do, but I have it to a point where at least all the oil holes are un-clogged and the parts that are supposed to move, do so smoothly. I also have brand new rollers on the press. (Polishing all […]
MoreMore TagWear under the top rail on the Vandercook and Challenge Presses
We are working on a workaround for the wear under the top rail on the Vandercook and Challenge presses. This wear will produce metal flakes when you wipe a rag along the rail. On some presses it will cause light and dark spots on your printed matter. If you are having this problem, please let […]
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