Well, after 25 years of printing on Vandercooks, I encountered a new problem today. There is a 1/2″ strip across the whole sheet that is not printing with the correct impression. It is illogical, but it seems that the carriage raises up just for that line of type and then goes back down. The press is […]
MoreCategory: *Model
Universal III Gripper Assembly Cleaning
Hi–I’ve taken apart the gripper assembly to give it a good cleaning. In the past I’ve used Simple Green to soak everything and loosen the grime and then used a toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies, etc. Graphite to lubricate and then I put it all together again. BUT this time, I’m […]
More#4 Light Bulb?
Does anyone happen to know the specification for the Vandercook #4 power ON light bulb? I’ll use the trial/error method, but I thought I’d ask here. Thanks! Matt
MoreImage Stretching Issue
I’m trying to get familiar with the use of my Vandercook 3, and doing a lot of troubleshooting and question asking. I’ve made a couple of reduction prints on it so far (using lino blocks mounted to MDF and adjusted to type high with paper sheets as I look for a galley height bed plate) […]
MoreSP15 Ink Drum Adjustment
Setting stripe ink drum to form on SP-15. How thick a stripe? And, any easy way to adjust (besides raising and lowering the drum/motor cradle (?) stop foot? It’s not an easy adjustment… loosening two bolts while pressing down on drum, micro-adjusting, then tightening (only to see I went too far). Better solution?
MoreLooking for advice. Part 2: Uni III(ab) paper guide crooked(?)
Hello again! So in the process of getting back in the saddle I also noticed another quirk on my Universal III. I’m not sure if it is a problem per se or if the problem is just me… I noticed that all the prints I have been pulling are consistently cocked out of square a […]
MoreLooking for advice. Part 1: Uni III(ab) form roller tilted
I have recently begun to produce work on my Uni III after a long hiatus, and have run into a couple of vexing issues. Firstly, I realized that the rear form roller was laying down ink only on the side opposite from operator. The roller will not adjust low enough on the operator side (the […]
MoreUniversal III form roller gear issue (again!)
I’ve had this issue before and I can’t remember how I fixed it. When I started printing today, there is this noise that is coming from (I believe) from the rear form roller gear not being in the correct position on the core. You can hear it just as the cylinder leaves the feed board. […]
MoreDesperately seeking a solution to a mystery (Cylinder Jamming)
I have a Vandercook 219. Not sure but I think NS (1957). It prints like a dream, or did until this afternoon. The rolling cylinder suddenly started to hang up about 3 inches into the forme. So the first few inches of the forme prints, but then the cylinder meets profound resistance, as if something […]
MoreUniversal III Form Roller gears
I’ll say that the form Roller gear is slipping off the track. I notice it’s when the vibrating roller shifts to the near side mostly. The only thing I have noticed is the first form Roller L shaped hinge is loose turning and has to be checked and turned back. There doesn’t seem to be […]
MoreSP-15 Manual Inking Crank Knob
I recently helped someone with his SP-15. One of his problems was that one of the roller height adjustment knobs had broken due to an impact. His press had knobs of solid plastic, sort of pear-shaped with a tapered stem. I installed a replacement knob which was round with a brass threaded insert. He also […]
MoreMystery adjustment mechanism on VANDERCOOK 219
I am wondering what these two screw adjustments are for: The first is the square assembly near the inking plate with three screws, but then behind it recessed into the bed is a hex screw. I can’t find reference in the manual to them, but I could easily be missing it.
More