I’m still running into problems on my No.3 with respect to roller height and I haven’t seen anyone else having this issue. I’m using a type-high gauge (from NA Graphics) on top of a cold-rolled steel 18-gauge plate. I set the proper roller height where the start of my Boxcar Base would be, then roll toward the end of the base and the rollers are too high, not even touching the gauge!
I’ve checked and re-checked everything I can think of (I have brand new rollers from NA, btw, so that can’t be the issue):
- Bearing bars are steel, block numbers match and oil holes face up and outward (one broken Nyliner is missing that I have to replace)
- Adjusting screws and holes are cleaned up; they looked good but used a tap and die to make sure the threads were okay
- Roller frame appears okay and even
- Thought the steel plate might be bowing slightly from one end to the other, so placed the Boxcar base on top to weigh it down but same results
I don’t have a galley height gauge, which I’m trying to avoid having to buy as my credit card still hurts from the new roller purchase. The only thing I can think of to (hopefully) solve the problem is to build up under the steel plate at the low end with some packing until it reaches the proper roller height.
Anyone have a better idea or is that the best option?
I’m happy to report that Dave Seat paid me a visit yesterday (or I should say, I paid him and it was well worth it!) and my problems have been solved! It appears it was the cylinder bearings out of whack that was causing my roller height problems as well. The press is running like a dream!
Here it is from the operator side. I think the lack of form roller frame support bearings could definitely be an issue, if not THE issue. Over the weekend we looked where the rear roller frame sits and there is some wear on both sides (see photos); not sure if that would make a difference. In both front and back where the frame rests, it was a little gunked up so I cleaned it all up.
We watched the gears roll and they are making contact with the teeth on the rails.
After checking everything again, we lifted the roller frame and set it back in place and when I tried the roller gauge it suddenly seemed like it was more uniform along the length.
However, when I tried printing this morning, I got a large stripe of ink on the polymer. I checked the roller gauge with and without the top frame assembly/vibrator and the weight of the vibrator definitely made a difference in lowering the rollers. Later today I’ll try to raise the roller height but will have to take the top frame assembly in and out to recheck/adjust (which I’m sure will be fun).
Re: the carriage bearings, I double-checked that this morning and all 4 bearings are snug in print mode with a feeler gauge, however in order to get a deep impression I have to go about .015” over what I should have to (cylinder undercut is .072” on mine; packing + paper is equaling .100”). If I lowered the cylinder any more, it was too tight on the bearers. I’m going to assume that it just is what it is, pack the cylinder accordingly and hopefully no harm done?
It should also be noted that this is an old style No.3, which unlike later No.3s does not have form roller frame support bearings.
What Denise did not say is that she had also adjusted the carriage bearings, based on my advice. However, she did a blind impression test and is satisfied with the results.
Denise, could you post a side view photo of the bottom frame inking assembly and the cylinder rack? (There is no separate form roller rack on the No.3.)