I recently acquired a # 3, circa 1939, missing the feed roller frame assembly, part M-134. This is the roller to which ink is applied to and then hand cranked to distribute the ink to the vibrator and the form rollers. Has any one come up with a substitute method for inking the #3, or […]
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Vanderpurge circa 1965
When folks lament that there are no replacement parts for their ancient press, there’s a reason. Fritz Klinke, owner of NA Graphics and the Vandercook archives, sent me this jpeg showing a Vandercook Engineering Change Order for the 325 series. “This particular change order is about nine pages long, and includes other models. I just grabbed that one and […]
MoreSP-15 Motor Gear Box Issue
One of our SP-15 motors (Vandercook # 22155) quit last week. It has been noisy (our other SP-15 is about as loud as a sewing machine) but lately the noise was worse, and then the motor just stopped, smelling burned. The motor refurbishing place (Evans) tells me that there is a seal in the gear […]
MoreMe and my No. 4
Hi all, Over the past couple years I’ve visited this wonderful resource often and just wanted to go legit and introduce myself here. I found my No. 4 by pure coincidence two years ago deep in the warehouse of a folding carton plant where I worked in suburban Los Angeles. I had been in production, […]
MoreNo. 4 Carriage Return Issue
We have a No 4 (S/N 8655) that seems to take more effort lately to return the carriage to its resting position at the feed table. There is no problem leaving the feed table in trip or in print. Returning to the feed table seems fine in both trip and after printing an image until […]
MoreUniversal III automatic / control relay switches
We are having some trouble with our Vandercook Universal III Automatic. We THINK it is in the relays. It will sometimes not start moving when it should. Switching the forward / reverse back and forth will sometimes help. It helps to set the press speed faster which is what makes us believe the problem is […]
MorePlease help!
I am in the process of removing one side plate of my no. 4’s carriage to get to the oil hole block that oils the eccentric bar. Pardon my lack of correct nomenclature for the parts. I am stuck with this part right here, these don’t seem like taper pins but more like rivets, and […]
MoreSP15 Plastic Cover Hinge and Misc Parts
Hello everyone, New post again! So the first photo shows some misc parts I found on the bottom pits of my No.4, I would really like to know what these parts do, or where they go. I’ve confirmed that that pin is not in fact an MR-110 pin, I’ve compared them. The second two […]
MoreAsbern vs Vandercook
Hello I’m a graphic designer in Spain. I’m planning on setting a press here. I’ve been offered an Asbern AD1 and a Vandercook Universal I. The Asbern is cheaper but I don’t really know if the Vandercook is much better, if it’s really worth paying more. As you can see, I have no experience in […]
MoreModel ID
Hi everyone. I’m new to the forum, and new to letterpress as well. I’ve taken a couple classes, and have had the press in the pictures above for years. I’ve got tons of questions about maintenance, but I’ll start with help in identifying this model. It’s a truss proof press, and the only number I […]
MoreSP25 Carriage Misalignment
I am in the process of getting our SP25 up and running and the first order of business is realigning the cylinder carriage so that the grippers are at the “12 o’clock” position when at the feed board. Does anyone have any suggestions of the best way to adjust this? During a class with Paul […]
MoreVandercook 219os upper roller assembly weight/hack
I’ve discussed my frustration with adjusting the rollers on the 219os many times in many places, perhaps even here, perhaps in person (or via email) to some of you. For those unfamiliar, the upper roller assembly, which is comprised of the oscillating roller an two rider rollers, sits on top of the lower roller assembly […]
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