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. […]
MoreCategory: No. 4 / 215
No. 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 […]
More#4 form roller gear rack
I have been perusing the posts related to #4 form roller problems, specifically in regards to the clutch plate. I finally got a good handle on the source of all the racket that my press has been making for the last few months by adjusting the roller assembly and shimming the clutch plate. The issue […]
More3 phase motor
Hello all, I have a No. 4 which the seller informed me has a 3 phase motor, I only have access to single phase power. I would be grateful to know of anyones experience of such matters. Did you change the motor or get a converter? If you used a converter it would be great […]
MoreBuying a Vandercook
Dear all, apologies if my first post is somewhat ‘how long is a piece of string’. I am looking to buy a Vandercook (in terms of model I am guided by what becomes available but very possibly a 4), but my interest is printing rather than engineering, whilst I appreciate some maintaince and running repairs […]
MoreChanging Tympan Paper
Can anyone give me some tips or point me towards a good resource for learning how to change the tympan paper on the roller of the good ole’ No. 4? It’s worn down quite a bit, and it also needs a bit less packing as the impression I’m getting is too deep. Thanks!
MoreVandercook 4 pulley and belt
Hi all. I used my Vandercook 4 successfully for about a month, then began hearing a clanking sound behind the belt guard, which turned out to be the upper pulley rubbing against the guard. When the motor is on, the belt gradually moves toward the operator side of the pulley, then starts to move off […]
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