A few weeks back, I wrote about a worm gear with a blunted point that was causing my oscillating roller to stop during it’s run back and forth. I tried filing the point down myself, and while I was able to get it smooth, I was not able to make a nice, sharp point. Last […]
MoreVandercook inking system diagram
I have just done a very quick drawing of the inking system for my Vandercook 215/4. This is for my upcoming book, “Print It Yourself” which is to be published late next year by F&W Publications. The diagram is a very simplified attempt to visually explain (along with a verbal explanation) how the ink gets […]
MoreInk drum side play
Do any of you #4 Vandercook owners have any side play on your ink drum? That is, when wiping from side to side, does the drum move a little, or not at all?
MorePotter Proof Press for sale (NYC area)
A friend of mine in Union City, NJ has a really nice Potter proof press for sale. This press would need to be inked with a brayer so it would be most suited for block printing, proofing engravings, monoprinting or printing wood type posters. Asking price is $750. For what Kelseys are going for on […]
MoreVandercook (or similar) in Europe
I am searching for information on where to purchase Vandercook proof presses in Europe (SP (N°4))? (I also checked the other Brands section of the site… Are there comparable european brands of flat bed cylinder proof presses you would recommand?) Thanks in advance! Greatings from Luxembourg
MoreTaking off a Universal III motor
I need to remove the motor that drives the cylinder on a Vandercook Universal III. I need to have the motor rebuilt. I worked on it a bit today and simply could not figure out how to get it off nor could I figure out how much of I should take to the motor place […]
MoreDamaged Worm gear on 4/215
The oscillating roller is hanging up at one point in its travels. Fritz wrote that this is probably due to damage somewhere on the worm gear, the center shaft of the oscillating roller. He was right; one of the points on the worm gear was chipped, and that is where the crescent rider is hanging […]
Moreuniversal I adjustable bed teardown
wanted to point you all to some pictures I took while removing, cleaning, and re-assembling the adjustable bed of my press.click here
MoreVandercook 4 cylinder carriage problem
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 […]
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