I have just acquired a Vandercook #2 proofing press. It seems to have everything but the base cabinet and it needs a lot of love! I am in the process of restoring it and have a question regarding the side plates that fit around the impression cylinder. On the side plates at the bottom there is a thin brass plate with what appears to be cloth attached to it. Does anyone know what these are and maybe a part number. Also, if anyone has a manual for this press that would amazing!
Paul: There is only 2 numbers on the press bed. Here is a picture of a 2, but the other side has a 1 on it.
Hi, I’m also refurbishing a No. 2, Ser. No. 3530 and the numbers stamped on the bed under where the ink plate brackets bolt on appear to correspond to the numbers stamped on the (gear) racks mounted on the outer sides of the bearer rails. Mine had a “21” and “22” stamped on the racks and when I removed the ink plate brackets, the same numbers were stamped on the bed between the ink bracket mounting holes.
I also discovered that the gear racks are pinned onto the bed near each end inboard of the end mounting screws. The pins appear to be 3/16″ diam. straight pins and might have been installed after the cylinder was sitting on the racks and had been squared up with the bearer rails. The racks can be removed by using a pin punch and come up from underneath.
I see that this most of these posts were back in 2015 so I’m just adding my 3 cents worth. ;-)
Jan
Thanks a million Paul and Fritz! I continued to look for the serial number and under rust I found it. The number is 3596.
Thanks for your help
Justin
The manual such as it is for both the No. 1 and No.2 Vandercooks consist of one page “directions” and contain no part numbers or press diagrams. Some of the early material is very sketchy and since this is such a basic press, Vandercook made little effort to provide anything. I agree that the mystery part looks homemade and was a rail wiper of some sort.
This looks to be a homemade bed bearer wiper assembly and not original equipment. On full featured models, such as the No. 4, felt would have been the original material and set parallel to the bearers and not hanging as it is now. (The SP series did use a plastic wiper blade set at an angle backed by a thin steel stiffener.)
I have a single page directions sheet that I can send you. Other folks should note that manuals for later models are sold by NA Graphics.
The single digit numbers you referenced are probably part numbers. The serial number is stamped on the bed next to a hole for the lock up pins.