Hi guys, I’m in the process of building a new oscillator for my SP15 and the machinist is already in the process of making the oscillator cylinder, and the shaft. He told me though, that making the worm gear is out of his possibilities with the machinery he has. He said that it would probably […]
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Unknown spring
This spring came with my No. 4 in the miscellaneous parts in one of the drawers. At first I thought it was a bumper spring (because I am indeed missing the two far side of the bed bumper springs), but then I compared it to the feed table side bumper springs, and it’s definitely not […]
MoreCritical dimensions for SP-15
Hi All, Could someone please help and let me know the critical dimensions for the SP-15, I have my press arriving in a few weeks and am concerned about logistics of a few poorly positioned stairwells, doors and the like. I can find the floor area dims here but not those for exact width with […]
MoreQuestion about Frisket Frame for Uni-I
Folks, I noticed that the Universal Parts manual shows a “Frisket Frame” unit for a Uni-I. Is this frisket only for the motorized Uni or would it also work on a manual (hand-cranked) Uni-I ? Thanks. /thomas/
MoreUniversal III Power Carriage, Braking Problem
I’ve read up on all the relevant old post I could find, and I still have a few questions about this. I’ve adjusted the clutch, and it’s still hitting at both ends on the lowest speed. Not very hard (yet), but enough to bounce of an inch or two. Sometimes the breaking dial helps, sometimes […]
MorePacking: What I have, What I need
My Current Packing. Is that an original Vandercook Mylar-Coated Underblanket? Hi All! On to my next newbie question. This is a photo of the current cylinder packing on my SP15, which has a standard .040 undercut. There are four layers: 1. Hanger : A red something that appears to be fabric coated with rubber. 2. […]
MoreHelp! I can’t get this screw out of my SP-15!
Hi All! This screw in the vibrator assembly of my SP-15, a screw which my manual tells me is properly know as the Crescent Holder, is stuck. It has been three days now soaking in alternating baths of WD-40 and PB Blaster, and it still won’t budge. It’s purpose is to insert the Crescent into […]
MoreMoving our SP-15 from a Basement
Hi All! Thanks to great advice obtained here and form the folks on letpress, we successfully moved an SP-15 and a C&P 8×12 this weekend, from a basement location to the shop out back of our house. Key to the process, other than caution and moving slowly and carefully, was the use of a Maasdam […]
More219 OS Sheet Rollers/Fingers
For today’s obscure 219 os question, I’m hoping to have some light shed on the sheet rollers. I’ve never used them and know many people just take them off but I have a project where they may come in handy. You can read about them on page 3 and 4 of this old vandercook sell […]
MoreIn need of accurate Vandercook 3 measurements.
Can someone with a vandercook 3 please send me dimensions of the press WITHOUT the feed board? I need these measurements to determine if the press can fit around an obstacle during an upcoming delivery. The catalog lists the ‘floorspace’ dimension at 6′ 6″ long (not sure if this includes feed board and if not […]
MorePower Inking for SP-15
This past January, we took a three-day letterpress course from Frank Brannon at Bookworks in Asheville, NC. The letterpress bug bit and we bought an SP-15 at auction from Boggs Graphics in Ohio. The press was very clean and in excellent shape, but it had manual inking. After some tries to use the press without […]
MorePrint Quality on SP15 is Terrible!!!! What’s the Matter???
I am frustrated with my print quality on my SP15. I am using photopolymer plates to print personalized note cards with small type. The type is very uncrisp. It looks like the ink is pooling on the edges and bleeding outward, while the inner part of the text has less ink. I just switched to […]
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