We have a Vandercook Universal III. I had a few spare relay contacts, but have just burned out a couple. Anyone have an idea if there is a way to get these or does anyone know if you could adhere the actual contact? I was thinking that maybe there was a way to get the […]
MoreSP 15 vibrator latch
The “catch” that holds the “vibrator assembly” isn’t doing a very good job of securing the vibrator assembly in the “up” position. I can’t tell whether its spring loaded to keep the pressure on or whether gravity is suppose to do the job. Its dirty up in there and i will clean it, but if […]
MoreSP-15 rollers hesitating
Right before the holidays I was finishing up a print job and noticed the the rollers didn’t want to turn with each other anymore. I thought it was the ink drying as a result of the heater blowing close to the press area and didn’t think about it again. After being off for a few […]
More219 OS Carriage latch follow up/rails question
So my 219 OS struggles continue and I wanted to give an update and hopefully get some more information. As discussed in this post: https://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/2012/05/219-os-carriage-latch-question/ the wooden carriage latch had worn away enough that it wasn’t holding the cylinder carriage back at the feedboard. After some time, I came to the conclusion that it was contributing to registration […]
MoreVandercook Maintenance & Print Finesse Workshop with Paul Moxon – Vancouver, Canada – Jan 18-19
Vancouver, Canada – Porchlight Press (porchlightpress.com), along with the Vancouver Letterpress League (letterpressleague.ca), presents Paul Moxon, Vandercook and letterpress expert, as the workshop lecturer for this 2-day workshop. Whether you use own your own press, use a community studio press, or are thinking of buying one, this workshop will provide excellent direction for your future presswork. […]
MoreReplacing the wooden bushing on a Universal 1 inking drum
Well, now we have had a little practice with replacing a wooden bushing on a Uni 1 inking drum. I last posted on October 2011 when a bushing had gone on our Universal 1. We just had the wooden bushing go on our other Uni 1 (serial number: 28671). So, I thought I would share […]
More32-28 Form Roller housing loosening
I’ve got a 32-28. As I run the press, the screws that hold the form rollers at the correct height become very loose, causing the rollers to drop and strike the type improperly. Viewing the pictures right and below, screws A and C go almost all the way through the carriage [bearing bars] to bring the […]
MoreSeeking Washup tray for universal-II OR measurements/plans to build
Hello- looking for a wash-up tray for my universal II. Would pay good money if you have one; comparably, compensation could be arranged/negotiated even if you have one and do not wish to sell it, perhaps you could take detailed pictures and measurements of the part for my purposes of reproduction. I’m looking into trying […]
MoreVandercook 317 Instructions
I recently rediscovered what appears to be all that Vandercook put out as a manual for the 317 model. There are several still in use so I scanned the sheet and put it on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53177163@N00/sets/72157639415208743/ and as time permits, I’ll add more material on Vandercooks that I scan from the original Vandercook files and […]
MoreVandercooking on the Left Coast
On Monday, January 6, I will do a slide talk and press walk around at the International Printing Museum in Los Angeles. Then, after a workshop for staff and students at Otis College of Art Design, I fly to SF for a pair of workshop at San Francisco Center for the Book, January 9-12. From there […]
MoreHappy New Year
May your bearers be clean, your rollers be true and your packing be tight Detail from a July 1963 British Printer display ad for Dayco Rubber (U.K.) Ltd. Plant: Cooper & Beatty, Ltd., Toronto.
MoreUniversal-III Power issues
Well I have had a reasonably smooth time with my U-III since 2011. After fixing some initial issues I have been using it at least twice a month for printing everything from business cards to large format linocut posters. It came to me with a braking issue which could be managed with increasing the braking […]
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