The ink drum on the recent #4 was frozen in place–bound up by years of uncleaned ink, and it was also in contact with the operator side of the recess where it sits. After much penetrating oil and some heavy manual ink removal, I loosened the lock nuts on either end of the drum, and […]
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Vandercook 4 rehab!
Yup, lucky me! I found one in a tin barn in the northern Catskills. It needs some love, but after half a day with penetrating oil, Simple Green, scotch pads, wire brushes and q-tips, etc., the drum turns over and the motor whirs; the press is level and the bed is clean. The belt for […]
MoreVandercook No 4 cylinder alignment
The cylinder check spring broke on our No. 4. I got a replacement spring from Fritz and the press is printing again. My question is concerning the position of the cylinder at the feed table. With the cylinder at the feed table, the grippers are at about the 12 o’clock position (just a little before […]
MoreFoot Pedal Chain, Linkage Problem
Hello all, I’m having issues with the foot pedal. A screw on the underside of the bumper fell to the floor causing the carriage not to go all the way back to the inking drum unless we pushed the spring back. It seems like there is too much slack in the chain and nothing is lifting the […]
MoreTraveling Sheet Delivery Tray
Hi Everyone, I’m looking to add a traveling sheet delivery tray to my Vandercook 4. Is there any specification(s) available that I could use to fabricate with? Or general thoughts on this as I setforth? Thanks! Matt
MoreModel 4 Bottom Frame Assy Tie Rods
I have a pair of Tie Rods salvaged from a No. 4. The Bottom Frame Assy drawing denotes the Front Tie Rod as p/n MR-104 and the Rear Tie Rod as p/n MR-105; the Front one appears longer. The two parts I have are identical, with the length being 21-7/8″. On my own No. 4, the […]
MoreNyliner Bearing Retainers
I’m giving my No. 4 bottom frame assembly the spa treatment and I’m missing the Nyliner Bearing Retainers. Does anybody have any for sale or a notable workaround? Thanks, Matthew
MoreNo. 4 T, difficulty removing collar from form roller core
Hi everyone, I am hoping someone here in the Vanderverse can help. I need to remove the hardware from both form rollers on a No. 4 T (#14205) and both MR-112 collars (and I!) are stuck. The collars could be cemented from grime/grease accumulation. Before using force I wanted to check in with the group. […]
More4c Roller Diameter
Hi all, Would anyone be able to confirm that the #4c, made under licence in the UK has the same roller diameter of 2.5″ of the #4? I’m assuming that it does, but thought it best to check before I get them recovered incase they turn out to be wrong. Better safe than sorry!
MoreCylinder racks Vandercook No 4C
Hi, I am working on cleaning and functionally refurbishing a British built Vandercook No. 4C. The press is complete and seems to be in pretty good shape – it mainly needs some cleaning work. While cleaning the cylinder racks I noticed a feature that I didn’t see on cylinder proof presses before: The cylinder racks on both sides […]
MoreVandercook No.4
Hi Paul and all, I am new to this blog. I have a Vandercook No. 4, Serial No 14637. My name is Michael McGarvey, Port Press, Port Republic, NJ. I have been printing for some time, wood engravings and books. I have been using primarily an Iron hand Hoe 6027 for book work. Apparently this […]
MoreRider roller frame
Hello guys —Happy holidays! I installed a long lost taper pin for the rider rollers shaft on my no.4 and realized that the MR-113 Tie Rods where the M-123 Rider Rollers go, are definitely twisted or bent so they make the installation of the pin a very tight fit and makes the frame sit twisted […]
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