I’ve been working on and off for several months cleaning a Vandercook 4 that I purchased this summer. The press had been unused and in an Iowa garage for 5 years. My problem: the cylinder carriage moves easily down the track in trip mode, but gets very tight in print mode once the cylinder trip […]
MoreMoving a #4
In two weeks I will finally take possession of my #4. It is being moved by a professional machinery mover, but I would like to give him some specific advice concerning the press itself. The move is only about 50 miles, however getting it into my space will be tricky as it’s going to a […]
Morestripping rollers
I’m sending off my SP20 form rollers to be re-covered, and want to strip off the old material first to save on shipping (they are quite heavy, and when I compare them to an extra core I have it’s clear that the old rubber compound makes up at least 50% of the weight). I’m apparently […]
MoreUniversal III washup unit
I’ve been told by a lot of people that the Universal III washup unit is useless. But, I want to make mine work. The problem I have is that the scraper blade will run into the automatic inking cylinder and causes damage to the cylinder. Any suggestions. BTW I am looking for a return tray […]
MoreWanted:Vandercook SP15
Towson University in Towson , Maryland (outside Baltimore) is looking for a Vandercook Letterpress SP 15 or 20 for the university print studio. If anyone knows of such a press for sale near the Baltimore area, any information would be greatly appriciated. Thank You.
MoreSeeking Frisket Tower for Universal I
I am interested in finding a frisket tower for my Vandercook Universal I. I think a lot of people take these things off, but I like them. Does anyone know of one that might be available for sale? Thanks, Daniel Morris The Arm Letterpress Brooklyn, NY
MoreUneven inking on #4 (see pin question)
Thanks to all who have advised on my previous thread. I’d like to go back to my original problem, as it still persists despite new rollers, and that is/was uneven inking over the bed of the press, lengthwise. I had a form set up with two plates, one close to the grippers, and the other […]
MoreHumidity/Rust
After just a few months here in the Pacific Nortwest, my previously unrusty SP-15 is beginning to show slight signs of rust on the cylinder rack teeth. In looking in the archives, I noted that Evapo-Rust has been recommended for rust removal. Should I look into getting some type of machine to reduce humidity in […]
More#4 Ink Roller MR-110 Pin
I sent my form rollers to be recovered and got them back without the MR-110 pin that goes into the end of the shaft, the one with the rounded head that connects to the gear clutch. The roller company says they never saw them. When I prepped the rollers for shipping, I stripped off the […]
MoreReprex not releasing paper!
I know there are a few of you with Reprex presses. Our press has stop releasing the paper at the end of the impression. It is hitting the release spring and the bumper. Even doing it 2 or 3 times doesn’t matter. The schematics and instructions are minimal help. Anyone have a solution?
More“SRL” proof press
Marty Veerde, Chair of Printmaking at the Quay School of Fine Arts in Whanganui, New Zealand sent me these photos of a Vanderlook-alike with hopes that I could identify it. Unfortunately, I have no information on this make. It has only two written references on it, one on an attached plate stating “Impression On/Off” and […]
Moredepth of cylinder problem
The press? A Universal 1 manual. The problem? A severe case of an undercut cylinder. How sever you ask? Say your normal depth of cylinder on a Uni 1 is what? .040 inches? .070 inches? This Uni? .160 inches. What packing can fill it? What top sheet can hold it? What am I using for […]
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