Hello! First time poster here so please bear with me if I’m going about anything wrong.
Just to set the scene here: I recently accepted a technician role at the arts university in my hometown and there are a couple Vandercook presses here I’m in charge of. I spent a few years working at Hatch Show Print, so I’m familiar with proof presses, but the maintenance was never really part of my job. I’m being careful and cautious with the presses, and learning as I go.
There’s a Universal 1 that’s in great shape. A little cleaning and oiling, some new packing, and I figured I’d be off to the races. But I encountered what I think is a quirk with this press… issue I haven’t found any info online about it, and my printmaking colleagues were stumped as well. I figured this was the next best step to take.
This press requires a LOT of packing to get an impression. Mechanically, everything checked out. No issues with the trip mechanism or anything like that. I checked the cylinder to look for the number that indicates the undercut height/packing thickness, which I understand should read as 40 or in some cases 70. On this Universal 1 there is a number scratched out that I can’t read, and an additional stamp of 140. Turns out, it does need about 0.140″ of packing to print correctly!
I have two questions, one practical and one just purely out of curiosity.
First off: What would the recommended packing setup be for such a deep undercut? .14″ is a lot of paper…
Second: Why!? haha. What could be the reason for such a deep undercut?
Thank you in advance folks!
Alex
Modern rubber press blankets often have a cloth backing, especially thicker grades. If no surface damage, a smash may affect the cloth more than the rubber. There were topical repairs that swelled the rubber part of offset litho blankets, but they wouldn’t repair the fiber below. I think Steve’s repair addresses the damage to the fibers below the rubber surface. Makeready patches of thin paper were another repair method when the extent of damage is known.
My undercut is .070″ on a 325. I’ve used blankets on many litho presses.
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Hi Alex,
Just adding on to Paul, that I too have a Vandercook with an undercut of 140, although my press is much larger than a Uni 1. It was originally owned by a newspaper company in Ohio: The Vindicator. So I assume it mostly printed large newsprint weight sheets.
It uses a blanket; however, I still use sheets of packing underneath as needed to increase or decrease pressure. Also, something I learned from Steve Robinson, the blanket benefits from occasional “resting” which means from time to time I unwind it and wipe the back with a damp sponge and let it rest flat on the feedboard. The damp sponge is meant to help re-plump the rubber I think.
–Jess
Welcome, Alex.
What you want is a blanket. These are thick hard rubber 0.030″ some are thicker. Offset press press supplier should have a suitable product.
Visit letterpress supplier NA Graphics. There is a lot of general information as well as product. It is a few small company so be patient. The owner is extremely knowledgable and can guide to help
The reason for such a deep undercut may be inferred from information on the serial number card held by NA Graphics. So, tell them the model (including AB for adjustable bed) and the serial number. They’ll look it up and email you a jpeg.
The original press owner will be listed on the card. It may have been a company that proofed or printed on a thick substrate that might not have been paper. Or, if it’s an adjustable bed press the undercut may be related to the height of the printing form s that might had varied.
Also, please tell me the serial number, etc., for the worldwide Vandercook Census
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