We have had some trouble lately with roller height issues. On the SP-15, the user turns a knob to raise or lower the rollers. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. The bearing blocks have an allen bolt to hold the roller height, but these will not turn either way. I’m hoping that if we take the […]
MoreNo power cleanup of SP-20
My shop power has gone out and likely won’t be back on until tomorrow. I was in the middle of a job, of course. So now I’m trying to clean up. 1. How can I clean the main ink drum? It won’t move by hand. If I just let the ink dry overnight, can I […]
MoreTalkin Vandercook at the Smithsonian
The Chesapeake chapter of the American Printing History Association is sponsoring a talk I will give at the Smithsonian’s Graphic Arts Collection at 2pm, June 29 in Washington, DC. You … me … and a Uni III AB P … RSVP.
MoreSP-20 drive chain issue
The chain on my SP-20 seems to be getting hung up or caught on something. In the 15-second video above, you can see it catch in the beginning and then towards the end. Is one of the gears failing? I need to run several jobs this week but don’t want to risk snapping the chain. […]
MoreProof Presses in the Wild
The Vandercook census has reached a milestone. There are now 2,000 Vandercook flatbed cylinder proof press still existing worldwide. That’s just 6.6% of the 30,000 presses the company manufactured between 1909 and 1976. To my chagrin, 12% of entries have incomplete data. A few more press that have not been included at their owners request. There are also 73 showcard style office […]
MoreVandercook #2 Proof Press
I have just acquired a Vandercook #2 proofing press. It seems to have everything but the base cabinet and it needs a lot of love! I am in the process of restoring it and have a question regarding the side plates that fit around the impression cylinder. On the side plates at the bottom there […]
MoreRecoating the ink fountain roller
Anyone know the specs or someone familiar with recoating the rubber roller that is part of the ink fountain on a Uni III? My roller is flared at both ends and the rubber is very hard from age. Thanks
MoreVandercook Presses (2nd Edition)
Hey Vanderfriends, the second edition of my book Vandercook Presses: Maintenance, History and Resources is available now.
MoreAutomatic carriage problem Universal 3 power
Need advise on trouble shooting our Universal III Power serial # 25118. This is how it is behaving: When set in CYCLE and RUN mode; the cylinder moves forward until the carriage cam releases the 4LS limit switch, then the carriage immediately reverses back to home position. MANUAL mode; using the FORWARD lever the cylinder […]
MoreNo. 14 Rescued
I just rescued this from a garage. Works fine, but has no gripper. Am not familiar with how paper is carried on cylinder. Also, cannot find serial number. Any suggestions?
MoreUniversal III P Forward/Reverse Problem
I work as the technician at Centre3 in Hamilton, ON Canada. We are really lucky to have a Universal III Vandercook in our studio. Great press, however, recently the forward / reverse stopped working. This has basically rendered the press useless as it’s entirely driven by this and the cycle. Unfortunately the cycle isn’t working […]
MoreRemoving the handle from a Universal I
I need to remove the handle from my Universal I to fit the press through a doorway. I’ve searched and saw posts about removing the set screw and tapping out the taper pin. The set screw came out with minimal effort however the taper pin will not budge. One end of the pin appears mushroomed […]
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