I recently purchased a Vandercook 4 (serial number 15744). The press was supposedly housed for many years at the University of Notre Dame. In any case, it is not operational at the moment. I have a local machinist looking into the wiring, which seems to be the issue, as the motor, when all the wiring […]
MoreUniversal 1 cleanup “doctor blade”
Hello! I love my Uni 1 and want to get it a new cleanup blade (doctor blade) but having trouble navigating any website I have seen posted before. I know I need something 0.03″ or so thick. Any suggestions where to find exactly what I need? Thanks Brooke
MoreUni I motor has trouble starting
My Uni I’s motor for the ink drum has trouble starting. In the past occasionally when I turned it on, it would not turn and would softly hum, but turning it off and on again would restart it. Now it mostly won’t start turning, though if I manually push on the drum it will start. […]
MoreNo. 4 Won’t Advance
When in print, my No. 4 stops advancing just as the cylinder is about to shift down into print. I thought I had the cylinder eccentric mechanisms assembled incorrectly, but I’ve reassembled it several times… The trip roller (BR-134) is at the very top of the trip wedge when the cylinder stops advancing, but there […]
MoreAufzugstarke instruction plate missing to pack Soldan Proofmaster (UK Press)
Our refurbished Soldan Proofmaster is missing the plate for packing instruction, and I am trying to find the mm to be able to pack it correctly. The press is a UK press, as far as I know there is only 2 more presses available in this series, one is currently located in Somerset w Carl […]
MoreKorrex 03 Troubleshooting Advice
We bought used “Korrex 03” 2 years ago but we have never used before, just a trial run. Now we decided to use this machine but we can not switch on the machine. We couldn’t detect whats wrong. Could you help us about its electrical diagram or any important point that we have to focus […]
MoreWhat is my press?
I’m trying to figure out what model my press is. I don’t find a model number anywhere, it says Vandercook cast in along the top edge of the bed rail and maybe H 181 but can’t tell for sure. The wheel for rolling the roller has a plate on it saying 600-142-A. Bed size is […]
MoreRemoving a cabinet drawer
Sounds silly but I have a Vandercook 3, mid 1950s vintage and want to remove the drawers to be refinished. I can’t figure out how to get them out, there must be a trick. I’ve searched this site and Briarpress for an answer but no luck. thanks much.
MorePress Part Manufacturing, Gripper Bar Lever, Feedboard and Dead bar
I recently manufactured some press parts: a gripper bar lever for a No. 3 inspired by several posts on this blog, a new feedboard for the No. 3, that gets bolted onto two wooden side posts, and a dead bar for a Uni I. The No. 3 is actually for sale now as well. The […]
MoreVandercook No. 4 Paper Release Issue
We’ve been having an issue at MSU with the paper releasing at the end of the bed of a Vandercook No. 4. I had talked to you about this briefly at Hamilton, but I took some photos and it looks like there is a large shim and was wondering if this is normal. I feel […]
MoreUniversal III Motor and oiling
I own a Uni III PC AB with a Reliance motor. I wanted to check the oil in the inking motor as there is a bit or a burning smell after a long day printing, and I assume the oil in this decades old machine has never been changed. Thus, it seemed appropriate to replace […]
MoreImpression rollers and carriage ball bearings
My 15-21 has a history of the carriage rollers and ball bearings seizing up now and then. This makes moving the carriage very difficult and printing impossible. The last attempt I made to loosen them up involved a vacuum jar and motor oil. The grease inside the bearings was dry and (let’s just say…) “crunchy”. […]
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