I just purchased a Vandercook 099 Proofpress (https://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/timeline/2/#099). It is in great working condition and has been well taken care of. I have experience with a Vandercook press but not this one. I have to ink the plate by hand and then place the paper on the form (it did not come with the optional […]
MoreUniversal 1 AB Hand ink drum wobbly
Hi All, I read the posts in the Vanderblog archives about SP15 ink drums wobbling because of a broken plastic gear or shorn off screws. Is it the same fix or different on a Uni 1 AB? On our Uni 1 AB, while printing we noticed that the lower steel ink drum was not inking […]
MoreSP20 Oil Holes
I’m happy to say that I recently purchased my first vandercook SP20. I’ve worked on another vandercook but did not maintained it. This site has been extremely helpful with almost all the information I need, however I can not find the oil holes. Does anyone know how many oil holes are on this model and […]
MoreLouis Flader
Today’s Vandercook operators may know that most models were designed to meet the needs of the bygone photoengraving industry. A central figure of that industry was the German-born American Louis Flader (1877-1963): technician, labor leader, executive and author. As editor of Photo-Engravers Bulletin he wrote the articles “Story of a Visit to the New Vandercook […]
MoreGraphite powder suitable for gripper posts
Would the type of graphite sold for bicycle chains be suitable for lubricating SP-15 gripper posts? But I was hoping to find it in a dispensable container, not pressurized in a can, to avoid a mess. Where’s a good spot to find it in small quantities? Thank you.
MoreMaintenance page added
As a companion to the Glossary, I’ve created a new Maintenance page, which suggests routine maintenance for common Vandercook models. Check it out and let me know what needs correcting and what should be added.
MoreGlossary page added
I’ve created a new Glossary page defining mechanical terms for newbies. It doesn’t include common terms covered in operator manuals or letterpress instruction books. Check it out and let me know what needs correcting and what should be added.
MoreOrigin of the modern proof press reconsidered
While looking for information on proof presses built by Harrild & Sons, better known for its iron hand presses, I asked Stephen O. Saxe, author of American Iron Hand Presses, what he knew about this British firm. In reply he scanned this page from a 1906 Harrild catalog, shown at left. This press features a […]
MoreReprex Wiring
I have a Reprex proof press with old, burned out wiring that needs to be replaced. Can any old electrician do this, or does it need to be someone familiar with presses? Thanks for any input or insight you may have.
MoreNew Rollers Slightly Different Diameters
Hi All, I just received two newly recovered rubber rollers for a #4, done by Rotadyne. I measured the rollers and one is bigger than the other in diameter by 1/32″. One roller is 2 1/2″ and one is 2 1/2 plus 1/32. I asked the roller company to make them 2.515″ in diameter. Should […]
MoreUniversal I AB – Power Carriage Fuse Problem
I’ve been working on a thorough clean-up of my Uni I which was very grimy and dirty. I’ve already tore down and cleaned the adjustable bed which was frozen. That went smoothly thanks to the fine documentation from previous posts. Currently, I am dealing with a problem of immediately blowing a fuse when I put […]
MoreFlickr set – Installing new form rollers on a Vandercook No. 4
Continued thanks to everyone who has the patience and takes the time to answer the many questions that we relatively new printers come up with. I recently asked for step-by-step instructions for installing new form rollers on my No. 4, and the replies I got were extremely helpful. I put together a Flickr set on […]
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