One of our SP-15s has been experiencing inking issues; seems that we have to constantly adjust roller height and it gets out of whack very quickly. We discovered today two problems with the bracket that holds the roller bearing blocks (LH Bracket? Hard to see in our manual) and we’re wondering if these could be […]
MoreUNI-1 carriage balking continues
Britt at Banshee Press continues to have a problem with her Universal I Power. In a comment to the previous post, I asked her to check for a loose and/or warped trip rack (X-14854). It’s worth noting that Vandercook made an engineering change to a more rigid part (X-21774 ), first used on press with serial number 21857. […]
MoreUneven ink coverage on one side
I changed my rollers on my SP15 because I found that one side of my press was printing lighter than the other side (my rollers were about 10 years old) but I’m finding that I’m having the same problem with the new rollers. The rollers are set at the right height from left to right […]
MoreRoller Change – Stiff Front Roller
I changed my rollers for my SP15 and I’m finding that the front roller is stiff, it doesn’t move as freely as before. It doesn’t seem to have a problem when it is inking. I didn’t notice this until I went to go and clean up the press.
MoreUnknown roller bearings
I found some roller bearings (a total of 4 pieces) from an unknown press. They came with another press that they don’t fit to. It is definitely from none of my presses. Paul said it’s probably not Vandercook. I know that they are definitely not FAG. If someone can identify them or if someone is […]
MoreUNI-1 carriage balking
Hello, this is Britt at Banshee Press in Denver. I am having a problem with my Vandercook Model UNI-I, Serial # 24389 with auto carriage. On the trip cycle, the carriage balks with an abrupt jerk – sometimes to the point of stopping – at 21 1/2″ measured from the feed-board end of the press. (It […]
MoreFerdinand Wesel
Ferdinand Wesel (1846-1912) was the founder of the F. Wesel Manufacturing Company, which among other equipment, made some of the first flatbed cylinder proof presses. Born in Frankfurt A.M., he learned the printing-machinery trade, as The Inland Printer once put it, “in the thorough manner characteristic of his countrymen.” In 1866, he emigrated to New York and […]
MoreOrigin of the modern proof press reconsidered, Part II
In a 2010 post, I examined Vandercook’s claim to be “the originators of the modern proof press.” In it I discussed presses shown in a 1906 catalog issued by the British manufacturer Harrild & Sons (courtesy of Steven O. Saxe). In the comments, Eric Holub shared images from a 1904 catalog for Soldan’s, another British firm. Here’s another contender thanks again to Steve Saxe, with whom […]
MoreSP20 form roller issues
Recently when inking the rollers on my Vandercook SP20 I have encountered the following problems. 1) When I apply ink across the distributor roller and let it down on the form rollers the ink does not spread evenly and there seems to be some hesitation in the distributor rollers. 2) When I roll the rollers […]
MoreVandercook No. 2 Proof Press – For Sale – $900
I purchased this press when I was making woodblock prints 13+ years ago. I had a dream of refinishing it and properly setting it up. However that dream has since long passed, but perhaps that’s your dream now. If so, let’s talk. Pickup or arranged shipping would have to be from Morton, IL 61550. $900 […]
MoreVandercook SP20 Ink Drum Not Spinning
Though the ink drum drive chain and gear seem to be operating normally when powered on, the ink drum itself is not spinning. The ink drum does move freely when manually manipulated.
MoreQuick Roller Diameter Gauge
Our friend Kevin Martin at the Papertrail, in New Dundee, Ontario, Canada, has developed an ingenious flexible roller diameter gauge. It’s available as a free pdf on his website.
More