Rather suddenly my rollers decided to crap out by not inking the form evenly. I am using photopolymer plates. The Problem Form is not being inked evenly. Ink is heaviest at the beginning of the form (the area the form rollers hit first). Based on the image above, it appears that the rollers are not […]
MoreOiling The Motor – A Necessary Task?
Keith Cross phoned me this morning asking what he should do about oiling the motors on the two Mass Art shop Vandercooks. One has an oil cup (or two?) with spring cap(s); the other, two cap bolts on top of the gear box similar to my late model SP15. What did I do about oiling […]
MoreBuying a Vandercook
Dear all, apologies if my first post is somewhat ‘how long is a piece of string’. I am looking to buy a Vandercook (in terms of model I am guided by what becomes available but very possibly a 4), but my interest is printing rather than engineering, whilst I appreciate some maintaince and running repairs […]
MoreUniversal III forward / reverse switches
Does anyone have a working forward / backward switches for a Universal III they would be willing to sell? I also need the microswitch that is on the lower backside of the press closest to the feedboard, but this doesn’t seem quite as critical. Any help would be appreciated. Ray Nichols / Lead Graffiti
MoreUni I cylinder adjustment
Hi, folks. I am writing about a damaged Uni I that I have been working on intermittently over the past 10 months. When the press was shipped to me, it was struck and dragged along the right-hand side of the carrriage. Obviously I’ve learned my lesson where crating is concerned but I cannot for the […]
MoreSP15 oscillator problem
I’m having a problem with my steel roller (the large one that oscillates) binding against the inner form roller when the carriage returns. After returning one or two inches it binds regardless of location, i.e.: If I lift and lower the oscillating roll, it still binds at any point on the return trip. One side […]
More11×25 1/2 Trip Action Vandercook Proof Press
This is my first post. I went through the pictures on the Vandercook web site and the proof press we have looks like the 11×25 1/2 Trip Action Vandercook Proof Press. I am a 4th generation printer in Cincinnati OH. Would anyone venture a guess at the value of this press. Thanks for your answer, […]
MoreChanging Tympan Paper
Can anyone give me some tips or point me towards a good resource for learning how to change the tympan paper on the roller of the good ole’ No. 4? It’s worn down quite a bit, and it also needs a bit less packing as the impression I’m getting is too deep. Thanks!
MoreSticky Grippers
I have a problem with sticky grippers on my SP-15. Everything was working fine, then they became stiffer and stiffer until they didn’t want to open at all. As far as I can tell the foot pedal assembly is fine. I’ve taken apart the gripper assembly, cleaned and lubricated it. While it seems to work […]
MoreSP-15 squeak problem
My SP-15, now in full use for several months, has a squeak in the area of the operator’s side of the carriage which I can’t seem to locate precisely or get rid of. The noise occurs mid-way in travel down the bed, and happens only when on print, not on trip. I routinely oil all […]
MoreVandercook #3 Oscillating roller
I am in the midst of restoring a Vandercook #3 and am in *big* need of an oscillating roller. I understand this is a hard piece to come by (given that it is usually sold w/ the press itself). But if anyone could further help or direct me in this search, I would be grateful. […]
MoreMoving an SP20 Upstairs
New poster, long time lurker. So, we run a silkscreen shop in Columbia, SC call The Half and Half. I learned how to use C&P clamshells at school, and later traveled to Hatch Show Print to learn their Vandercooks. We want to expand our abilities to letterpress, and I have a lead on a few […]
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