Hey, I got a general question about the use of the washup unit. I just got an unused orignal nylonblade for the washup unit of my “FAG Control 405”. Until now I didn’t use the washup unit, since the old blade was broken. I print around 500–1500 proofs a week, sometimes with alot of colour […]
MoreAsbern AD-1
Hello Vanderpeople, I recently acquired a Asbern Ad-1 proofing press, unfortunately the power inking assembly has been long removed. Looking either for a scrap asbern or inking assembly, if one exists or specs on replicating the assembly. Any advice helps. serial# 8038 ADR-1 -keegan
MoreSequence of printing events…
I’m wondering if the following sequence of events seems unreasonable to get a very, very clean print on a Universal III. The project is an important certificate for a major university signed by the president and all. This is essentially for the text part of the certificate, not including the recipient’s name. Printing area is […]
MoreNo. 4 squeak
Our #4 has a squeak that appears to be coming from the ink drum. In attempting to find the source of the squeak, we have noticed the ink drum is VERY close to the operator side of the press(less than an ink knife blade). I did a little careful cleaning with a utility blade and […]
MoreCleaning up a #3
Hello Vanderfolks. I am in the process of finally getting my old #3 up and running again. A lot of dust, dirt, a little rust and the paper clasp pins don’t open. Looks like I have mostly cleaning and lubricating to do. My question is really simple. For those of you who have been through […]
MoreI locked up my Uni I
I was running some small posters yesterday on my Uni I AB. Things were going smoothly until the powered carriage was moving towards the end of the bed and got stuck midway. It just stopped. I run it pretty slowly so it wasn’t a very sudden stop it just was rolling along and then wasn’t. […]
MoreVandercook manual / sign typeface?
Apologies if this has been discussed before, but does anyone know the typeface(s) used on the Vandercook manual, or on the identification sign / tag on the press? I have a 1962 SP-15. I want to guess it’s something like Gill Sans or a popular modern font of the time, but perhaps they had their […]
MoreSP-15 Form Roller Imbalance
Hello Vanderfriends, Would love some to get some thoughts on a roller issue. First I should mention that I am working with new rollers and a press that is new to me so I unfortunately don’t have a frame of reference for past performance. I’m experiencing an imbalance with noticeably heavier ink coverage on one […]
Moredie makers
MoreUNI-1AB
Good Day Vanderbloggers, I have recently acquired a “fixer-upper” UNI-1 needing everything related to the inking on the press including the drum, oscillating roller, rider and assembly, the form roller blocks, levers etc. I am looking for a parts machine (long shot) or will begin to fab what I need. I have contacted the usual […]
MoreVand Men
This photograph shows former Vandercook Vice President Bill Critchlow (4th from left) and his sales team. Vandercook had become a division of Illinois Tool Works in 1968. Several of these names appear on the serial number/model cards held by NA Graphics. Critchlow is married to E.O. Vandercook’s daughter Lynn. Joe Koyak (3rd from left) was […]
MoreArizona Rising
Recently, I spent six fun, but exhausting Vandercook-filled days in Tuscon. While there I tuned up a 215 at Chax press (at left) and a non-motorized SP15 at Heather Greene’s private studio. I then taught three workshops, gave an evening lecture at the University of Arizona and worked on four Vandercooks in the new book […]
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