Anyone got an idea of the sequence (or at least a place to start loosening bolts) to move the sprockets to tighten the chain on an automatic Universal III? The chain is hanging enough that it is dragging just after (or before?) it passes the sprocket nearest the ink drum roller. I’m not sure it […]
MoreCategory: Universal series
Universal I Power: Question about Manual/Cycle controls
My Universal I Power Test Press is having trouble with its manual/cycle controls. It only works in “manual” mode, so I can only move the carriage using the reverse/off/forward lever. If I move the selector switch to “cycle” and press the start button, nothing happens. The photo shows the controls on my press. The manual/cycle switch […]
MoreRoller height issues on Universal III
I just got brand new rollers and cores. The weird thing is that when I check my roller height, it’s not even throughout. The ends are the same but the middle of the roller has a thinner stripe when I check. Is it the gauge I’m using? That’s steel but I’ve heard that those can […]
MoreClutch Drive Adjustment Instructions Position
I have a powered Uni-I, and my Clutch Drive Adjustment instruction plaque has come off, can someone tell me which way it should be mounted on the drive side cover? Should it be right side up when on the operator side, or on the drive side?
MoreVandercook Dollie Design
I’m going to build a couple of dollies on this plan for our studio so we can move stuff around with a toe jack. This is designed for our Powered Uni 1 with adjustable bed, so it’s not necessarily universal, though it should also work with the No. 3. The procedure is to first block […]
MoreUniversal III pedal sticking + carriage stopping
The pedal on the press is sticking, I figured the grippers needed to be cleaned so I took that assembly apart and cleaned it, and the pedal is still sticking. Not sure what to do!! In another unrelated note (or maybe it’s related, who knows!), every so often, the carriage just stops for a second […]
MoreUniversal I carriage “skipping”
Well, after 25 years of printing on Vandercooks, I encountered a new problem today. There is a 1/2″ strip across the whole sheet that is not printing with the correct impression. It is illogical, but it seems that the carriage raises up just for that line of type and then goes back down. The press is […]
MoreUniversal III Gripper Assembly Cleaning
Hi–I’ve taken apart the gripper assembly to give it a good cleaning. In the past I’ve used Simple Green to soak everything and loosen the grime and then used a toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies, etc. Graphite to lubricate and then I put it all together again. BUT this time, I’m […]
MoreLooking for advice. Part 2: Uni III(ab) paper guide crooked(?)
Hello again! So in the process of getting back in the saddle I also noticed another quirk on my Universal III. I’m not sure if it is a problem per se or if the problem is just me… I noticed that all the prints I have been pulling are consistently cocked out of square a […]
MoreLooking for advice. Part 1: Uni III(ab) form roller tilted
I have recently begun to produce work on my Uni III after a long hiatus, and have run into a couple of vexing issues. Firstly, I realized that the rear form roller was laying down ink only on the side opposite from operator. The roller will not adjust low enough on the operator side (the […]
MoreUniversal III form roller gear issue (again!)
I’ve had this issue before and I can’t remember how I fixed it. When I started printing today, there is this noise that is coming from (I believe) from the rear form roller gear not being in the correct position on the core. You can hear it just as the cylinder leaves the feed board. […]
MoreUniversal III Form Roller gears
I’ll say that the form Roller gear is slipping off the track. I notice it’s when the vibrating roller shifts to the near side mostly. The only thing I have noticed is the first form Roller L shaped hinge is loose turning and has to be checked and turned back. There doesn’t seem to be […]
More