Hi Paul, We have a very squeaky Vandercook SP 15. (Not exactly sure the area that squaeks). I see there are no holes for oil, so how and where do we oil it? Thanks, Maria Lee UA Letterpress Lab, Tucson, AZ
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SP-15 Ink Drum Scratches/Resurfacing
I read with interest Ray Nichols’ prior post regarding the resurfacing of his SP-15’s ink drum. The drum on my own SP-15 is also scratched, presumably from the previous owner’s use of the automatic washup system (the blade was missing when I bought the press, and I haven’t replaced it). The scratches on the drum […]
MoreUnknown press markings
Hello all – You’d think that after 4 years of owning this press and scrubbing, cleaning, and rebuilding most parts of our SP20, I’d have seen everything. A few weeks ago I noticed a pair of markings on the non-operator side of our press. Directly across the end of the press from the serial number […]
MoreTightening bearing block on SP-15
I have found that the adjustment posts for the form rollers on our SP15 go out of adjustment rather easily of late. The locking screw is tight, but not tight enough to stop the post from turning. Do I simply remove the bearing block, remove the locking screw, and ‘gently’ tap the side of the […]
MoreResurfacing our SP-15 ink drum roller
Maybe five years ago we bought our Vandercook SP-15 off eBay. When it got here the one major problem was that the ink drum was quite scratched from the automatic cleaning bar that scraped the ink off it. Lately we’ve been having trouble printing evenly with it and started to deduce that it might be […]
MoreSP-15 movement and balance
Hi everyone, First of all, sorry for the long post. Second: I’ve noticed something on my SP-15 but I do not know if this is supposed to happen or not. I noticed this first when I took off the motor cover to clean up in there. The whole part moves as you will see in […]
MoreOscillator swap between No. 4 & SP15
Enrique asked me if he could use a No.4 oscillator on his SP15. The answer is yes. The tubes are the same diameter (3¾”) and the worm gear is the same part (DR-338), but the shaft and tube length of the SP15 is longer (13″) than the No. 4 (12½”). While the No. 4 […]
MoreSP-15 Oscillator
Hi everyone, I am still looking for an oscillator for my SP-15. Does anyone have one lying around gathering dust? or know of some one who does? Please contact me if you do. Thanks a lot.
MoreRoller bearing blocks position, nyliners and spring
Hi everyone, Looking at photos of other sp-15s I noticed that my press came with the spring pulling on a different piece than it should. Is this (2nd photo) the right arrangement? My press is the first photo. Also, my bearing blocks are obviously wrong, I will change them tomorrow. I also want to know […]
MoreNew SP-15 issue
We were able to kinda-sorta fix the SP 15 belt slipping by installing a new belt. Now there is a new issue: there is a knocking or clunking sound when all the rollers are in contact (the down position). We checked for things like a loose gear on the back form roller; it is ok. […]
MoreLockup bar for sp-15
Hi, I am looking for a lockup bar for SP-15, serial 26228. Does anyone have a spare one? Any suggestions? Thanks, widok
Morehelp sp15
Sp15 been in storage many years for move and building etc. Bearing blocks for form rollers lost. Also trip for paper release was broken.
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