Among the things that can fail on these decades-old presses are the trip racks on early Vandercook Universal Is (before s/n 24219). These machines have the X-14854 Trip Rack with (2) 7/8″ diameter bushings, meaning wide slots and narrow side walls relative to the width of the rack, which can warp and eventually prevent carriage travel in print mode. Vandercook redesigned the rack in 1965 for subsequent Universal Is as X-21774, requiring (2) 5/8″ bushings, thus narrower slots and wider side walls relative to the width of the rack. X-21774 will also replace the X-10707 Trip Rack found on the 15-21.
Because NA Graphics doesn’t have any Trip Racks in stock, I commissioned, with Fritz’s consent, the fabrication of (10) X-17734 Trip Racks. I installed and tested one and found it to perform as required, and will install at least two more before the end of the year. The price is $600 (including new X-21773 bushings, X-21775 shoulder screws, and a stop pin) plus shipping. Please inquire via the contact form.