I have a friend who has an SP15. She was having trouble getting the inking smooth and I stopped over to see if I could figure it out. Turned out that the roller and the drive gear were acting independently of each other. Once it was printing the gear that should drive the form roller […]
MoreUK Printing
I currently print on a Vandercook and run a business here in the US, but am looking at moving to Northern Ireland for a year. I’d like to continue printing —either on a borrowed press (in a shared studio environment) or on a press that I buy over there. Are there any recommendations of reputable […]
MoreInk drum on the No. 4
Hi guys, you might remember that last year I posted about this problem I was having with my ink drum not getting fully inked. https://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/2013/08/ink-drum-oscillator-rider-rollers/ I finally got around to changing the wooden bushings on the Ink drum and on the rider rollers. Very nice oilite brass bushings for the ink drum and some nylon bushings for […]
MoreGripper Cam Question
Hello All, I own a Uni I. I’m trying to move my gripper cams to accommodate thicker papers and make the gripper pins open higher. I can’t get them to budge. I’ve removed all of the set screws, used penetrating oil, and lots of elbow grease. Any suggestions? This seems so simple, and I’m worried […]
MoreCraftsman Chandler and Price Automatic Platen Press
So I know this is not Vandercook related, but I thought with such a knowledgeable community y’all could help. I am about to move a 10 × 15 Craftsman Chandler and Price Automatic Platen Press. Has anyone moved this type of press? How much does this press weigh? 1500 lbs vs 3500 lbs? If anyone […]
MoreAbout to embark on cylinder carriage adjustment-Universal III AB
The symptom: The top of the bed has less impression. At first I thought maybe the adjustable bed could be at fault, but a level revealed it pretty even from top to bottom center, but the operator side corner top appears to actually rise, in complete contradiction to my problem of less impression at the […]
MoreChallenge 15MP oiling question
Hello All, I have a Challenge 15MP (similar to the Vandercook SP15). Not having an extensive manual for this particular press, I am not sure I’m finding all the appropriate oil ports to lube it correctly. Does anyone have a schematic showing proper oiling points for this press? If not, is there one for the […]
MoreAuto washup setup for Universal 1
I’m setting up the wash-up tray for my school’s Universal 1. I’m not sure of exactly where to place two rails that form the fixed support for the tray, and I’m also not sure if the moveable support for the tray has all the parts. Also I have two long pieces of steel with triangular […]
MoreOil for Automatic inking system / Universal 1
I have taken apart the automatic inking system on a Universal 1, cleaned it, and put it back together. Behinh the machine where the threaded rod goes into when ink system is fully open has what appears to be an small oil opening with a red flip lid. There is no oil in it now, but […]
MoreRemove handle on Vandercook SP-15
Does anyone know how to remove the arm of a SP-15 press without damaging anything ? Thanks
MoreRag disappeared into my No. 4 — help!
One my my worst nightmares just happened. I was cleaning the ink drum of my No. 4 and carelessly let the rag slip with the drum rotating. I immediately switched off the power and hoped to see the rag on the shelf below the drum. But it is nowhere visible. I fear it may be […]
MoreFlorida service trip
I’m planning to drive from Mobile, Alabama to Sarasota to tune up some Vandercooks at Ringling College of Art & Design May 21–22. If anyone is interested in a service call before or after these dates, please contact me as soon as possible.
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