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 […]
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Universal 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. […]
MoreUniversal III Cylinder Rack – damaged screws / rocking
Hello everyone! Looking for some advice on how to proceed, I don’t want to do anything irresponsible here. I had a recent plumbing mishap above my in-home studio which deposited some light debris onto my Uni III AB. After a particularly thorough and careful cleaning of the press, I noticed some problems. In the process […]
MoreUni 1 Form Roller Gear Spinning Out
Our Uni 1’s back form roller gear is spinning out on the starting teeth of the rack. I’ve changed the roller height, made sure the end screws on the roller core are tight, made sure the spring beneath the starting teeth is free of debris (it depresses with finger pressure). I’ve had this issue on […]
MoreHandle Removal / Gear Puller?
Hello, Back again. Posted in November about a pin removal on my Universal I handle. In the end we had to drill out the top half and then were able to tap it out. Now we need to get the handle off. Is a gear puller our best option? Thank you, Alison
MoreReturn tapes buckling trailing edge of sheet
We have a Uni 1 PAB with the automatic tape sheet delivery tower. When using the return tapes, particularly with short sheets, the sheets get buckled on the trailing edge and can hang up or get mangled by the form. The pdf Uni 1 manual states: Caution When using the Automatic Tape Sheet Delivery, the […]
MoreUniversal I – Carriage Removal
Hi All, I have a Universal I with adjustable bed – and need to move it into my studio. We haven’t been able to get the handle off … spent a day on that :( …. seized pin.So – we are now considering taking off the carriage. Does anyone have advice? I assume I need […]
MoreUniversal III grippers
Hello all,I am new to the forum.I have 2 Universal III presses under my care and I am cleaning and refurbishing both.The grippers on one press are not opening at the feed board in run mode and the cycle button does not work at all.It seems an intermittent problem.I am replacing fuses and just noticed […]
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