hello everyone, i have a 215 ready to print – soon as i figure out how to adjust the height of these rollers. i don’t have a manual, any other press i’d used have knobs at the ends of the rollers but this model doesn’t have anything so obvious. looks like maybe a hex key […]
MoreMore TagCategory: No. 4 / 215
Uni III Power motor query
Dear Vandekin I am in Memphis cleaning & repairing two Vandercooks, a 4 and a Uni III. The operator of the III tells me the motor jumps (or rather jolts) itself randomly during a press run and there appears to be a little bit of slack in the chain. I tested it out and sure […]
MoreMore TagRemove Vandercook 4 Motor
I recently bought a Vandercook 4 with an engine that doesn’t run. I plan to bring it to a local motor shop for repair early in the new year. Does anyone have any tips for successfully removing the motor and / or any essential information that should be passed on to the mechanic? Thanks, Kyle […]
MoreMore Tag#4 Trip Rack Issues
Greetings everyone. I’m wondering if anyone has advice, pictures, and/or reference to the desired positions of the cylinder trip rack and the gripper trip lever assembly. Earlier today I adjusted the bearings on my #4, following the great advice of other Vanderblog members. In order to reach the eccentrics on the non-operator side, I had […]
MoreMore Tag215 Inking Roller Gear Issue
I have had some inking issues today. Some passes were ok, while in other passes, inking of the type on the form was uneven. I noticed that the back ink roller, the one that hits the drum, was having trouble with its gear/clutch not aligning properly on most passes (see photo). The front roller gears […]
MoreMore TagVandercook 4: motor replacement
The Book Arts Program needs to replace the motor on our No. 4. I’ve written down all the specs from the maker’s nameplate – the current motor was manufactured by Westinghouse (no longer in business) – and contacted a few local companys about replacement. I was told I would need to bring the motor in. […]
MoreMore TagVandercook No. 4 gears grinding
I purchased a Vandercook #4 about 2 years ago, which had been working beautifully until about a month ago. The roller gears have been grinding against each other when sitting idle. Here’s a link to a video showing the problem. Vandercook #4 gears grinding I would appreciate any help I can get. Thank you!
MoreMore TagNo. 4 rear roller will not rotate
After much successful use, I had to move my Vandercook 4 proof press. In putting everything back where it is supposed to be, I have encountered a problem (actually several problems, but I fixed the sheared drift pin on the gripper foot lever as well as the sticking and bent grippers). After much scouring, I […]
MoreMore TagGravity press & 4 T problem
The Gravity Press census seems like a great idea. I have a Number 0, Serial number 07756, supposedly made in 1953. But it is my 4T that I need help with. After finally getting all the parts right, new electrical cord and switch, etc., it did not print evenly across the width of the bed. […]
MoreMore TagNo. 4 Cylinder stuck
Hey everyone, I co-run a community print shop in Saint Louis, MO. We have facilities for letterpress, intaglio, and screen printing. We were recently given a vandercook no. 4 to add to our lettepress equipment. When we showed up to pick up the press, it was being moved out of a basement with a backhoe […]
MoreMore TagWANTED: #4 motor speed reducer
I am looking for a motor speed reducer for a #4. This press belongs to Gray Zeitz, who is the nicest person you’ll ever meet, has a beard like ZZ top, and has been hand setting & printing books at Larkspur Press for 35 years. He’s charged me with getting this press running, and this […]
MoreMore TagProblem with 215/4 Motor
The motor on my 215 just started stalling in the middle of today’s run. I had switched off the motor during a pause in printing, and when I switched it back on again, it hummed but did not move. I was able to get it moving again by physically moving the belt from the motor […]
MoreMore Tag