I have been helping to get a recently-acquired Vandercook-4 up-and-running for a commercial digital printer new to the medium. The press was shipped from the UK, after having been reconditioned in advance of the sale. All looked to be in good working order, except the grippers. They did not move when the pedal was depressed. […]
MoreImbalance of Ink of Drum and Rollers of SP-15
I noticed that the ink on the drum and rollers on my SP-15 bunch to one side, so I get uneven ink coverage when printing. I’m attaching a couple of photos. You’ll see that on the right side is where it’s light and almost translucent, and the ink tends to bunch on the left side […]
MoreEarly Hacker questions
I posted back in 2015 about a sad Hacker #4 that was being donated to the San Jose Printers’ Guild. We have spiffed it up a bit and have used it every year since then to print posters at the annual Bay Area Printers’ Guild and Wayzgoose. Since the press only had holders for two […]
MoreReassembly after new rollers on 215/4
I just got new rollers for my Vandy 215/4 and gave the parts on the roller frame, gears, etc a thorough cleaning. When i try to put the pin in the clutch block, it does not seem to want to go either way. What am I doing wrong? (BTW, ain’t them new rollers purty??)
MoreReprex Carriage Back Side
These Reprex No. 1 photos are posted in reply to Cranky Sue’s Briar Press post, where image views can’t be enlarged.
MoreSP15 form roller adjustment knobs stripped?
My form rollers are too low, but the adjustment knobs seem totally ineffective. I got the press somewhat recently and it was a student press before I got it, so who knows what it’s been through. I think the knobs are likely stripped — does anyone have experience with an issue like this? Is it […]
MoreSP-15 – snapped bolt
Hello from Newfoundland, Canada! Yesterday a bolt snapped off on my SP-15 in the assembly that lifts and lowers the top two steel rollers. This assembly is located in the area marked in red. I’m looking for a replacement bolt, and have contacted Fritz @ NA Graphics, just wondering if anyone has any information/insight into […]
MoreNoise on Vandercook 215
This press is similar to a #4. I was trying to raise the form rollers (the lollipop showed them as being too low). I was able to raise the form rollers on the operator side, but not on the gear side. I suspected the form roller bearing bar had come loose (it has two bolts […]
MoreWestern 4c forme roller gear wear & noise
Hi Paul, I’ve recently taken on a Western 4c which whilst operational hasn’t been looked after very well in certain areas. Consequently there are some issues, one of which is a kind of whining noise that is audible as the cylinder travels across the bed. This only occurs when the forme rollers are engaged. Close […]
MoreVandy 4 drum Chain rattle & distributer roller pause
Hello friendsI have 2 issues I could use some help with: 1. the chain from ink drum to motor is gaining rattle and seems to have some slack (perhaps from the two rags that have gotten caught in the last decade? i’m not sure if the rattle is getting worse, or just bothering me more) […]
MoreSP15 mis-registration
Dear Paul, I shouldn’t think you remember me as it must be over 15 years ago I sought your advice with regards to my Vandercook SP15 serial #22245 – there was a suspected broken spring. I dismantled the carriage, cleaned it up, re-greased it and put the press back together again! I obviously set up […]
MoreCensuses Updated
Dutch designer, printer, and press mechanic Thomas Gravemaker recently supplied a list of European-made cylinder proof presses known to him. This has allowed me to increase and update the Asbern, Korrex, and Vandercook censuses and to add two new censuses for Eickhoff and Grafix presses. Please review and let me know if you have any […]
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