We have recently begun having an intermittent problem with our SP-15. After printing, when the cylinder is returning to home position, it hits some obstruction about 12″ away from the feed board that causes a jolt and a significant bang. It doesn’t do this all the time (maybe 1 in every 4-5 print passes), and […]
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Vandercook 3 Proof Press
Does anyone know if a Vandercook 3 Proof Press is galley high or type high? Serial # 7617. Also, what is the exact size of the steel sheet that comes in the bed? I want it to be able to fit in the bed (inside the lock up bar). I have tried printing without this steel […]
MoreModel 4 packing question
Hi, I have the press basically back together and I’m starting to get things reset so that I can start printing. Some quesitons on how to do a few things: 1. How can I determine the amount of packing needed on the roller [impression cylinder]. 2. inking rollers that are on the oscillating roller group […]
More15-20 at Auction
Another press on Bidspotter.com this month that I’ve been repeatedly asked about is a Vandercook 15-20 Dry Offset press. Dry offset refers to the absence of water in the inking system. The process is used to print plastic containers and lids, cosmetic tubes, aluminum cans, etc. Dry offset ink is cured onto the substrate using […]
MoreRocker at Auction
Several people have written to me about the Vandercook to be auctioned later this month on Bidspotter. This press, Vandercook’s first production model, is a circa 1909 Trip Action High Side Arm Press aka the Rocker. (Vandercook didn’t stamp serial number into their presses until 1914 and it’s not known how long the Rocker was […]
MoreRider Roller on SP15
Hello All, I’m working on cleaning up an SP15 that hasn’t been touched in maybe 30 years. I have all the rollers lubricated and in their right places (as far as I can tell) but when rolling the carriage down the press bed, the rider roller isn’t moving. It almost seems as though it’s a […]
More#4 Rider Bushing Replacement
Hello all. I was fortunate enough to attend Paul’s workshop in Chicago last week and learned a great deal, but the one thing I was unable to retain is what exactly the process is for fixing these missing (broken?) bushings in my riders. As I understand it, there are taper pins holding the assembly together, […]
MoreUni I motor & chain
The motor/chain on my Uni I recently started getting louder. I applied some serious grease and it seemed to quiet a bit, but not much. I also noticed the rollers aren’t distributing ink thoroughly on one end (closest to the chain). I experimented with raising and lowering the roller height and it doesn’t make much […]
MoreUNI III Missing parts
Hi – I am missing the friction fingers (X-21714), and I want to understand the function. Also, the UNI I parts list has a friction spring (X-21715) listed. I am guessing that this was dropped on the UNI III as it does not appear in my UNI III manual. or is the Vandercook technical writing team again doing […]
MoreRollers stop spinning
Hello, we have an SP-15 used by college students in a typography studio. A problem occurs with the rollers when you move the carriage over the the bed. To start the rollers ink up fine and evenly, but as you begin to turn the carriage handle all of the rollers suddenly stop spinning. They seem to […]
MorePresses stored in Barns
Three colors down on a four color job. My latest Vandercook, a Universal I with all the whistles and bells, including power cylinder, is chuggin’ right along. During the washup the oscillator locks up. Well @#$%^! a broken crescent in the worm gear. It’s been a long time since I removed one from a Universal […]
MoreUniversal III P just stopped
First, I’m looking for someone in the general vicinity of Delaware that can troubleshoot and possibly repair an automatic Vandercook Universal III. Know anyone? If not, is there some kind of electrician I might try contacting. Obviously, I need more than someone to hook up a 3-phase here. We were running our III the other […]
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