I have a Uni 1 manufactured in the 60s, still being cleaned but also being used to print. I have two observations/questions which I welcome help on… 1. The drive gear (if that is the correct term) oscillates when the press runs and the rollers are engaged. A woodruff key was missing and replaced but […]
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Vandercook No. 4 Trip Lever
All of a sudden, the trip lever on our Vandercook 4 will not stay engaged. I didn’t hear anything break, and I can’t see the mechanisms well enough to determine if a spring snapped. Unfortunately, we don’t have a diagram of the trip/print assembly or another model No. 4 to reference.
Moreautomatic gripper Uni I
I’m struggling with the automatic gripper on my Vandercook Universal I. I took it off, cleaned it, oiled it etc. but it still doesn’t jump back in position to open the grippers automatically. I wonder if the spring that sits between the side of the bed and the lever is not the cause. Can you […]
MoreUniversal III Janette Motor – Lubrication
PHOTO CORRECTED BY MODERATOR. I received my new-to-me Universal III AB this week and have been dutifully cleaning and oiling this magnificent press. In the process I’ve run into a snag owing to my lack of experience with small motors. I cannot figure out where to oil the motor. Hoping someone may have experience with […]
MoreInk Drum Bearing Replacement
Somehow the wooden ink drum bearing on the operator side of my Universal III managed to work itself loose and ended up inside the drum, leaving the drum loose on that end of the shaft. I managed to remove the wood composition bearing from another spare ink drum I had and pressed it onto the […]
More232P Transmission Box
Hello, On this 232P, there’s this T thread piping leading out from the Transmission Box. Is that just a hole to pour oil into the unit?? If so, why a T shape? Right now, according to the gauge (photos at the end) appears empty. The manual says it should be filled 1/2 up the gauge […]
MoreSetting Impresion Bearings
Hello All, I’m having a grand old time trying to set the bearings on my Challenge 15mp and it’s been over two weeks of adjusting, proofing and re-adjusting. The main issue I’m finding is that my carriage shifts once the rear impression bearing comes in contact with the rail, causing the rollers to rise and […]
MoreUniversal III (hand) carriage question
Greetings! I have recently made a purchase of a Universal III press and am currently ironing out shipping. The sole wrinkle in getting this press into my studio is that the carriage is too wide for a few interior doors (this is a old home) by three inches. My two options are to keep said […]
MoreUneven cylinder, SP-20
Hi all, So, the small spring on the far side of the bottom cylinder of my SP-20 broke the other day (the one next to the chain). I replaced it, but I’m still having the same issue of the cylinder being too low on that side. It’s not inking at all, and the chain is […]
MoreVandercook Composing Room Cylinder Info
Hello, My name is Bree and I have been given the task to restore the letterpress at Grand Valley State University. I believe we have a #17 Composing Room Cylindrer however I cannot find any information on this press. I am wondering if anyone can direct me to instructions or any information regarding this letterpress, […]
MoreUniversal III Power carriage drive motor/gearbox
Hello I’m the new owner of a Universal III P which arrived less the carriage drive motor/gearbox/clutch assembly. I have a very good machinist/electrician who has suggested he could adapt a small variable speed motor gearbox combination to fit. Trouble is he has no idea about motor hp, gear ratios, whether the motor would have […]
MoreVandercook manual
Good morning, I am binder in France and last week I bought this vandercook press. I do not find informations on this model so I therefore need of your help a lot. Thank you
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