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 […]
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215 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 […]
MoreVandercook 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. […]
MoreVandercook 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!
MoreNo. 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 […]
MoreGravity 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. […]
MoreNo. 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 […]
MoreWANTED: #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 […]
MoreProblem 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 […]
MoreHow many oil holes on a No. 4?
Hello everyone, Fritz Klinke posted a photo on the Letterpress Flickr site showing a C&P press label that refers to “about thirty-seven oil holes” that the pressman needs to attend to http://flickr.com/photos/53177163@N00/3008271735/in/pool-letterpress. I’ve always wondered — and maybe after a year-and-a-half of owning my press, I should have moved beyond the wondering stage before now […]
MoreSleepless in Savannah
Hello. I have been searching tirelessly for a Vandercook Proof Press (preferably #3 or #4, Universal or SP) in working condition to purchase for use in a printing job I am working on. I would greatly appreciate and advice or suggestions that I can get to help me find one. Thank you.
More“Broken” Switch on 215
During my recent move to Arkansas, apparently the switch on my Vandy 215 was pushed in from the frame, separating it from the metal housing bracket that holds it in place. Nothing is actually broken or chipped, but just separated. It looks like the housing is meant to be crimped to clamp onto the plastic […]
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