I just started working with a friend’s No. 4 press. It prints great and seems like a really solid machine. The machinery used to lower the impression cylinder from trip to print during the print stroke then back up to trip for the return to the feed table seems very different compared to the SP […]
MoreCategory: *Model
Update on 15-21 rail issues
I haven’t checked in on the Vanderblog for a long time but wanted to say I had my rails milled at a reliable machine shop in Holyoke, MA, that works on a lot of old press equipment. I removed the bed and transported it to them, they milled the rails on both sides to my […]
MoreSP-15 Motor / Ink Drum Noise
We are having some issues on our SP-15 with a “clicking” noise from the ink drum. It sounds like it’s coming from the pulley/timing belt area. It’s gotten progressively worst the past 2 days and also looks like it’s maybe a little lopsided (or is that just the belt?). This press is still new to […]
MoreNo. 3 stationary lock up bar?
I am going to be a new owner of a No. 3. that doesn’t have a lock up bar. I am considering having a metal worker create stationary “foot lock up bar” (I think that is what the manual is calling it). I have seen the post linked below about the fixed dead bar for […]
MoreVandercook 4 bed height issue
We are still working on getting our 4 up and running. On first attempt at adjusting the rollers, we were able to get the adjustment screws to lower the rollers to type high on the operator side of the carriage, but the other side will not lower enough to touch the roller gauge. The gears […]
MoreUniversal 3 electrical issue
Looking for advice on an issue that just came up on my Universal III. In my infinite wisdom I decided to swap out the beat up faceplate on the controls with a replacement that I had. While disconnecting the on/off switch, some of the connections became loose and one completely came off. I was told […]
MoreVandercook 4 Gripper Pedal problems
I have just acquired a Vandercook 4 and am working on getting it in printing shape. As it sits, the pedal-operated grippers aren’t working properly. The pedal, in its resting state, is pretty low to the ground, making it impossible for the chain to pull far enough to open the grippers. When I push on […]
More#3 Vandercook For Sale
Up for sale is a Vandercook #3 serial number 15004. The press was in very rough shape when my wife and I purchased it. As far as I know we are the second owners. We meticulously removed every component and used a method called electrolysis to remove the 60+ years of grease, grime, and rust […]
MoreSP15 spare part, broken trip spring
I was levelling my press yesterday (SP15) and found a ‘spare part’ (?) lying beneath the press. It has the same greyish colouration of the press and looks like it could be vital? The press is still printing, though might prefer to have the piece if indeed it belongs somewhere? Is it part of […]
MoreShims under cylinder and ink racks, Uni I
Our Uni I originally had red shims under the geared racks for the cylinder and ink racks. As it was disintegrating and falling out, we removed it on cleanup but haven’t found a source for replacement. Does anyone have a resource for this or a recommendation for an alternate material?
MoreVandercook 4T Roller Issue
I have a Vandercook 4T press here in Prague. Now after 5 years of not being used (here in Prague – it could have been unused for longer than that), I have decided that I should give it a go. I had to change the plug, but all seems to be working fine, apart from […]
MoreProblem with 219 –metal flakes
Hi Paul, On page 15 of your book, you explain that if you allow grime and so forth to accumulate on the bedrails or cylinder bearings, you will see metal flakes appear on the bed rails. I have been printing a book for the last few months, probably 300 press runs per day 3 days […]
More