Hello! First time poster here so please bear with me if I’m going about anything wrong. Just to set the scene here: I recently accepted a technician role at the arts university in my hometown and there are a couple Vandercook presses here I’m in charge of. I spent a few years working at Hatch […]
MoreCategory: Universal series
Fabricating a Universal 1 plexiglass dust cover…
We have three Universal I presses in our printshop and a number of the plexiglass dust covers have cracks from use. In the past, I had tried fabricating covers, but they never came out with the correct angle. So, I decided to do it right, and make a ‘buck’ to drape the heated plexiglass over. […]
MoreVandercook Uni I reintroducing past ink; ink drum calibration?
Hi! One of Virginia Book Arts’ Vandercooks (a Universal I AB P that was converted to hand-crank) has always had a difficult-to-clean ink drum* that would appear to be successfully cleaned by a printer post-printing session, but then randomly introduce bits of ink from past print sessions into future printing sessions (e.g. you’re printing with […]
MoreSP-20 grippers raising on return to feedboard
Yesterday while printing a plate the press started “clanging” about 3 inches away from the feedboard, the grippers rising correspond with the sound. It seems to be louder on the left side of the press, away from the hand crank. While it doesn’t affect the quality of prints, I am worried that something is wrong […]
MoreVandercook UNI III Power slowdown
I have noticed a problem with my UNI III Power slowing down and not running to the end of the bed after 40 or so impressions. I thought it might be an electrical problem, but went through all the electrical troubleshooting I could, and no joy. So I took a look at the clutch. It […]
MoreNew Sheet Delivery Tray for the Uni I
I just made a new sheet delivery tray for the Uni I. It travels with the carriage and provides a place to put just-printed sheets. It is a huge timesaver since it’s right there. The design is simplified from the original but it works just as well. The pins at the end are threaded and […]
MoreUniversal I Dust Cover Fabrication
On a recent trip to Cambridge, Massachusetts, I met Cameron Nobile, the Digital Fabrication Lab Manager at Lesley University’s College of Art and Design, who helped me repair a Universal I. With the resources at his disposal, we discussed his replacing the cracked clear acrylic dust cover. From the photo, one can see the […]
MoreUniversal I Ink Drum Repair
I traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts, earlier this month to make press repairs at four print shops. At Lesley University, the main concern was an unlevel ink drum. I had anticipated that one of the ink drum bushings (F-760) had broken or slipped into the drum’s hollow. After removing the drum, my assistant, Chris Bradford (a […]
MoreUniversal III for sale
Selling one of my Vandercook Universal IIIs – Power carriage, adjustable bed and tape tower. Asking $15k, contact me at aj@masthaystudios.com with any questions. Thanks
MoreUni III – Gripper Problem at End of Bed
Hi – I have my (early) Universal III up and running and it’s printing very well and all is great except for the paper release/gripper problem at the end of the bed. I posted on this awhile ago and have been tinkering with the problem on and off ever since and still no luck. I […]
MoreUniversal one in kit form
I recently bought a Uni 1 that was taken apart and painted gloss black. The cylinder is on. Who can help me get it back together. I would sell as is for $10,000 as is or $15,000 assembled with new rollers etc… Norman Hicks +1 415 725 1670 Hicks Frothers Printing Equipment, LLC
MoreUniversal III – Gripper Bar Questions
As a result of a plumbing mishap a few weeks ago I have had to clean and re-lubricate the gripper bar on my Universal III AB. In the processes of doing this I’ve run into a few questions and potential problems, and I want to get clarification if I can before I do anything incorrectly. […]
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