I recently sent out an extra pair of SP-15 cores to be resurfaced. On receiving the new rollers, I transferred over the roller blocks/bearings and adjusted the height, but the rollers are not taking the ink well, it is streaking as if the rollers were skipping over the drum (the ink coverage on the drum […]
MoreCategory: *Model
Imbalance of Ink of Drum and Rollers of SP-15
I noticed that the ink on the drum and rollers on my SP-15 bunch to one side, so I get uneven ink coverage when printing. I’m attaching a couple of photos. You’ll see that on the right side is where it’s light and almost translucent, and the ink tends to bunch on the left side […]
MoreReassembly after new rollers on 215/4
I just got new rollers for my Vandy 215/4 and gave the parts on the roller frame, gears, etc a thorough cleaning. When i try to put the pin in the clutch block, it does not seem to want to go either way. What am I doing wrong? (BTW, ain’t them new rollers purty??)
MoreSP-15 – snapped bolt
Hello from Newfoundland, Canada! Yesterday a bolt snapped off on my SP-15 in the assembly that lifts and lowers the top two steel rollers. This assembly is located in the area marked in red. I’m looking for a replacement bolt, and have contacted Fritz @ NA Graphics, just wondering if anyone has any information/insight into […]
MoreWestern 4c forme roller gear wear & noise
Hi Paul, I’ve recently taken on a Western 4c which whilst operational hasn’t been looked after very well in certain areas. Consequently there are some issues, one of which is a kind of whining noise that is audible as the cylinder travels across the bed. This only occurs when the forme rollers are engaged. Close […]
MoreVandercook 4 Cylinder Misaligned
we aren’t able to slide the paper into the latches as the cylinder rolls up too close… worried we may have to take it off to repair? Does anyone have any ideas?
MoreSP15 Restoration-Print/Trip mechanisms questions
Dear Printers,I was lucky to find an SP15 many years ago, albeit in nightmarish condition. I’m finally able to start restoring it again, and would like to give poor Paul a break from identifying the parts that I didn’t document properly in the dim past, and instead pester other pros with queries. Print/trip functionality […]
MoreSP20 Drum cam damaging cylinder?
I noticed that the drum cam (especially on the non-operator side) is looking worn. There’s corresponding wear on the cylinder. Does this indicate I need to adjust the screws on the support arms per page 11 in Paul’s book? If so, I’m a little unclear what screws I should be adjusting. thank you!
MoreUniversal I Dust Cover Fabrication
On a recent trip to Cambridge, Massachusetts, I met Cameron Nobile, the Digital Fabrication Lab Manager at Lesley University’s College of Art and Design, who helped me repair a Universal I. With the resources at his disposal, we discussed his replacing the cracked clear acrylic dust cover. From the photo, one can see the […]
MoreUniversal I Ink Drum Repair
I traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts, earlier this month to make press repairs at four print shops. At Lesley University, the main concern was an unlevel ink drum. I had anticipated that one of the ink drum bushings (F-760) had broken or slipped into the drum’s hollow. After removing the drum, my assistant, Chris Bradford (a […]
MoreUniversal III for sale
Selling one of my Vandercook Universal IIIs – Power carriage, adjustable bed and tape tower. Asking $15k, contact me at aj@masthaystudios.com with any questions. Thanks
MoreUni III – Gripper Problem at End of Bed
Hi – I have my (early) Universal III up and running and it’s printing very well and all is great except for the paper release/gripper problem at the end of the bed. I posted on this awhile ago and have been tinkering with the problem on and off ever since and still no luck. I […]
More