I just replaced the rollers on my SP-15 and am having trouble printing the first time out. The rollers were purchased from another press owner, but were new and unused, still in original NA Graphics packing and boxes. This was the first time I’d changed the rollers but didn’t encounter any difficulties with changing over […]
MoreEasyKaster honeycomb mold
Vandercook made an extensive line of prepress equipment for mounting engravings. I have a Hacker block leveler and an seeking the honeycomb mold for an EasyKaster to make Vandercook Lite-Base. Any leads would be most appreciated. [Image from the Vandercook Graphic Equipment Catalog, 1965—PM]
MoreVandercook #3 for Sale!
I am selling my beloved press! I have come to a very difficult decision, but have decided to sell my Vandercook. It is in excellent, excellent condition. It needs no work at all. Hardly any rust. Cylinder, rails, bed and rollers all in good shape. It has a delivery tray behind the carriage which makes […]
MoreShamless self promotion
In the spring, I will be teaching my Vandercook Maintenance workshop at three locations in the Northeastern U.S.: April 18-19 in Buffalo at Western New York Book Arts Collaborative April 25-26, in Manhattan at The Center for Book Arts May 2-3, in North Andover, MA at The Museum of Printing Currently, my itinerary allows time […]
MoreChallenge Proof Press Roller Specs
Does anyone know the specs on the form rollers for a Challenge 15MP proof press ?
MoreUniversal 1 powered carriage drive clutch question
folks – We have a Vandercook Universal-1 with a powered carriage. I am having a little trouble getting the drive clutch adjusted properly and I was hoping that I could get some help from other powered-carriage Vandercook owners out there. The clutch is attached (as you might expect) between the drive motor and gear that […]
MoreSP 15 Carriage Side Panel removal
Hello all, I recently purchased an SP 15 and am finally getting around to cleaning/restoring it to printing condition. In the process I came across what appears to be a broken trip spring. Since the gears and trip mechanisms were an inky, greasy disaster I decided to pull the side plates and give it a […]
MoreWANTED: #4 motor speed reducer
I am looking for a motor speed reducer for a #4. This press belongs to Gray Zeitz, who is the nicest person you’ll ever meet, has a beard like ZZ top, and has been hand setting & printing books at Larkspur Press for 35 years. He’s charged me with getting this press running, and this […]
More325 Cylinder rack trip/print positions
Vanderblog stalwart Eric Holub sent these photos of the cylinder trip rack on his 325G to help Kyle van Horn solve his alignment problem. The first pair shows the rack in trip (whole assembly, then close-up) and the second pair shows it in print (whole assembly, then close-up).
More325 Mis-alignment question
Happy New Year all — I have a question for the masses – I’ll try to keep this concise. The shop I work in has a 325 that has forever seemed to have issues. We solved it various ways – extra packing being one, realizing it needed a bed plate was another (that helped!). We […]
MoreVandercook Book
I just had the opportunity to sit down with a copy of the Vandercook Book assembled by Roni Gross and Barbara Henry of the Center For Book Arts. It was clearly a massive undertaking and it was worth the effort. Huge congratulations to the Center, to Roni and Barbara, and to those who contributed work. […]
MoreHappy Vanderyear!
I want to wish everyone a productive year of printing for pleasure and/or profit. Here’s a photo of R.O. Vandercook at a trade show circa 1930 with his ever-present pipe and those spooky deep set eyes. (Courtesy of NA Graphics)
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