Today I created a new gallery page for images of the prints received for the 2009 Vandercook Print Bundle. First at bat: Casey McGarr!
MoreHand gripper lever for a No. 3
Here’s an idea for a hand-activated gripper lever to aid sheet feeding on the No. 3 Vandercook. In the drawing at left, a handle attached to the gripper trip lever is pulled toward the operator, thus moving the push rod against the trip bar which forces the gripper stems to rise. A notable “feature” of […]
MoreMigrating ink
The Book Arts Program at the J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah has a Vandercook 15-21 (shown with the top frame assembly removed) that is experiencing difficulties. Within minutes of application, a majority of the ink added migrates to the non-operator side (highlighted in the image) of the ink distributor assembly and form […]
MoreClaybourn Proof Press
This photo was sent to me by Amanda Stevenson, Curator at the Museum of Printing History in Houston, Texas who asked me to identify the press in the background. I recognized it as a Claybourn hand proof press made in Milwaukee, Wisconsin circa 1926. There should be a nameplate on the operator’s side and the […]
MoreSP15 Cylinder Carriage–jammed!
Hello! I’m new to the wild world of Vandercook ownership…and am hesitant to take apart the cylinder without first getting advice. Here are the details: (1) I bought the press a little over a month ago, and noticed that the carriage was getting hung up (as if it had to scale a small hill) about […]
MoreReprex ll-No impression?
A couple of months back, I took off the gear racks, one side at a time and cleaned off 40 years of ink, grime and paper dust. All are back on in exactly the same position and tightened down with hex head screws. Nothing was dis-assembled from the roller carriage. Now, when the carriage in […]
More#4 form roller gear rack
I have been perusing the posts related to #4 form roller problems, specifically in regards to the clutch plate. I finally got a good handle on the source of all the racket that my press has been making for the last few months by adjusting the roller assembly and shimming the clutch plate. The issue […]
MoreVandercook Centenary Print Bundle
Invitation Closed–goal reached– wait list established. This is the official invitation to participate in the Vandercook Centenary Print Bundle, a limited edition exchange of letterpress prints celebrating the first one hundred years of Vandercook proof presses (1909-2009). The goal is to exchange one hundred prints between one hundred Vandercook operators. Please pledge your commitment to […]
MoreGalley Magnets
Does anyone know where to find galley magnets? Here are a couple of photographs of one magnet that I have, which is very handy, and I’d like to get my hands on some more of these. Jason _____________________________ Jason Dewinetz www.greenboathouse.com/dewinetz
More3 phase motor
Hello all, I have a No. 4 which the seller informed me has a 3 phase motor, I only have access to single phase power. I would be grateful to know of anyones experience of such matters. Did you change the motor or get a converter? If you used a converter it would be great […]
MorePower carriage resource
Last week I was in New York and stayed with Daniel Morris at The Arm who suggested that I should visit Leeds Radio an electronics parts supplier. Leeds is a treasure trove tucked away on a side street that sells many new old stock items including the knobs and switches needed to fix power carriage […]
MoreRubber feet pads
In the Vandercook sp-15 manual it states the press should be set on synthetic rubber pads – with packing in order to correct any unevenness. Does anyone use these pads, if so what are they like – their depth for example – I can envisage something like a mouse mat. John Christopher
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