I just replaced the rollers on my SP-15 and am having trouble printing the first time out. The rollers were purchased from another press owner, but were new and unused, still in original NA Graphics packing and boxes. This was the first time I’d changed the rollers but didn’t encounter any difficulties with changing over […]
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SP 15 Carriage Side Panel removal
Hello all, I recently purchased an SP 15 and am finally getting around to cleaning/restoring it to printing condition. In the process I came across what appears to be a broken trip spring. Since the gears and trip mechanisms were an inky, greasy disaster I decided to pull the side plates and give it a […]
MoreInking roller squeal
Yesterday morning we had a rather strange experience with our Vandercook SP-15. It was about noon and the studio was just starting to warm up. Temperature was maybe 50 degrees when we started the heater. After a bit we inked the press to print some notecards and what I think was the vibrator roller (pretty […]
MoreSP-15 roller height problems
I have a couple of questions regarding roller adjustment on my SP-15. Recently when checking the roller height, I discovered that the ink stripe on the gauge was about twice as thick in the middle of both rollers than on the ends, leading me to think that the rollers are for some reason slightly sagging […]
MoreSleepless in Savannah
Hello. I have been searching tirelessly for a Vandercook Proof Press (preferably #3 or #4, Universal or SP) in working condition to purchase for use in a printing job I am working on. I would greatly appreciate and advice or suggestions that I can get to help me find one. Thank you.
MoreSP15 Cylinder Carriage–jammed!
Hello! I’m new to the wild world of Vandercook ownership…and am hesitant to take apart the cylinder without first getting advice. Here are the details: (1) I bought the press a little over a month ago, and noticed that the carriage was getting hung up (as if it had to scale a small hill) about […]
MoreRubber feet pads
In the Vandercook sp-15 manual it states the press should be set on synthetic rubber pads – with packing in order to correct any unevenness. Does anyone use these pads, if so what are they like – their depth for example – I can envisage something like a mouse mat. John Christopher
MoreSp15 Motor and Ink Drum Unit
On the sp15, the motor unit and ink drum are held under the press bed within a unit mounted on two pivots. Two springs create tension on the unit enabling it to spring back up after the impression cylinder has travelled over it. What I want to know is how ‘springy’ this assembly should be […]
MoreManual for SP-15?
I’ve come across an SP-15 for sale, but it’s in pieces and I’m hoping to find a manual for the model so that I can inventory all of the bits to make sure everything is there. Obviously I’d also like to make sure that I rebuild the press correctly. Does anyone out there happen to […]
Moreoiling motors revisited– and chainline
Following up on the discussion a few days ago, which I think alarmed many of us into checking on our motors, I’m having some trouble finding my way around the gear box on my SP20. I’ve posted photos on flickr: if anyone can point me in the right direction I’d be thrilled. The problem is […]
MoreI, too, am having roller problems on my SP-15
Rather suddenly my rollers decided to crap out by not inking the form evenly. I am using photopolymer plates. The Problem Form is not being inked evenly. Ink is heaviest at the beginning of the form (the area the form rollers hit first). Based on the image above, it appears that the rollers are not […]
MoreSP15 oscillator problem
I’m having a problem with my steel roller (the large one that oscillates) binding against the inner form roller when the carriage returns. After returning one or two inches it binds regardless of location, i.e.: If I lift and lower the oscillating roll, it still binds at any point on the return trip. One side […]
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