We are still working on getting our 4 up and running. On first attempt at adjusting the rollers, we were able to get the adjustment screws to lower the rollers to type high on the operator side of the carriage, but the other side will not lower enough to touch the roller gauge. The gears on that side appear to be too large, and prevent the form rollers from being lowered to type height.
However, these look like really specific gears and it seems strange that they would have been replaced.
We thought that maybe it was designed with a galley-height bed, but upon gentle testing of some type with a galley, the cylinder, even with all packing removed, is clearly too large to have it be designed for galley height. It hit the type and wouldn’t turn.
Thoughts?
The durometer is A20. Most Roller makers should know this. Generally, I recommend going through NA Graphics as they have all of the Vandercook specs. and endorse this website. I otherwise discourage discussion of specific manufacturers.
Thanks for this. We think that the rollers are significantly below spec at 2.25″. Apparently the person that sold it to us ground them down.
For new rollers, do you have a durometer range spec for the Vandercook 4?
Thanks!
Photos would help. I will email you. It is not the gears. More likely:
– the roller frame is not seated properly. Clutch pins on gear end are resting on top of the brass clutch plate instead of contacting it on its verticle face.
– Rubber diameter of rollers are significantly less than the spec of 2.5″
– The carriage bearings are loose or have bed misadjusted.