In response to the recent post regarding an SP- 15 needing a replacement motor, I thought I’d add my experience this week with our Universal I.
This press had been hesitating at start-up for some time. On start-up, the drive roller would need a little nudge to get it going. (I believe the capacitor was bad). One day it just would not go at all. Upon opening it up, I found the motor Bar-B-Q’d on the inside; extra crispy!
The original motor was a 1/12th HP motor, with 1725 RPM, and a 15:1 ratio right-angled gearbox built-in. This motor was last built by Baldor in 1962. Needless to say, it was no longer available. So, I’d have to find a replacement. In order to get the correct RPM for this machine, I considered the DC motor and SRC box like our friends in Arkansas, finally opted for. However, with a little digging, and a patient service person at Grainger, I was able to come up with this beauty.
The Universal I requires 112 – 115 RPM to operate within specifications (according to Fritz Klinke). Here is what I ultimately ended up with:
a 1/4 HP motor, with 1725 RPM and 56C fitting. (Grainger part # 6XJ21)
a 56C fitted Gearbox / reducer with a ratio of 15:1 (Grainger part # 4RN76)
and a mounting plate (Grainger # 6X499).
Overall, we ended up with 117 RPM – I am thrilled by this because all the other options we looked at were giving us 160 RPM or something closer to 85 RPM. A few modifications needed to be made. I drilled two new holes in the existing mounting bracket to match the holes on the new mounting plate. This was done with a graduated (or stepped) drill bit rated for metal. The new motor sits slightly proud of the metal plate that keeps junk from falling in behind the drive roller. I simply used an angle grinder to cut away the corner, and filed down the rough edges. Everything is beautiful.
Good luck to anyone going through this themselves. I found it really helps to know what specifications you need to meet before sitting down with the Grainger catalog.
I received this email from Richard Wagener:
“I had to replace the motor for my Universal I. I chose a Bodine model 0514 that has worked well. I had a friend drill new mounting holes so that there was no adjustment for the chain. The motor fits without having to cut away the tray.”
I can’t speak to real markets. Having said that, I have previously contacted Baldor. As Erin at MCBA wrote, there are on the shelf options that can be adapted by the fearless. And really, isn’t this why we do letterpress/book arts and not an easier corporate path?
Is there a market for someone to produce these (Vandercook-ready motors).
I know I will be needing a new motor one of these days, and would certainly be open to purchasing one.
Thanks.
[TH]