Category: General discussion
Later topic: Saving a C&P Cylinder / need materials
Earlier topic: My Golding Pearl is now finished

Moving Advice For A Vandercook III

Hi all,

I am concurrently considering leasing a shop and purchasing a Vandercook Univeral III Power Press to go in said shop, and I want to make sure it’s possible to get it inside before I make any purchases! Moving the press out from its current location should be no problem, but I’m concerned about the door of my potential shop. It’s a regular 36” door, and I believe the Vandercook at its widest point is about 39”. I’m not sure if moving it in through the windows would be possible, as I don’t know if they come out or would be any wider with the divider down the middle (picture attached). Does anyone know if it’s possible to remove any of the circled parts from the sides temporarily to get it less than 36” wide??

Thanks for any help.
Nina

image: shop.jpg

shop.jpg

image: press.jpg

press.jpg

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Hi Nina,
On the front you can unscrew the roller trip lever you circled. It should come off without tools. The feed board extension at the back will come off with the feed board. This whole assembly can be removed with four bolts underneath and by removing the brace that holds the extension at the back.

The drive motor can also be removed, but I do not suggest going so far as to disconnect it’s electrics— you can always detach it and secure it on the bed so that the wires won’t be damaged. If you decide to detach the motor you can remove the rear cover panel on the carriage and disconnect the motor (4 Allen head bolts if I remember correctly) and it will come off with the clutch still mounted to it. Do not remove or fiddle with the clutch collar. Be warned- that thing is heavy!

With the motor removed you will want to put a ratchet strap around the carriage securing it either at the middle of the bed (for balance) or at the feed board end. I would also remove the tower assembly. This comes off by loosening two bolts.

Having explained all this, I would also like to say that this is not likely to be the only large thing you will move in to your print shop. How do you intend to cut paper? How will paper be delivered? Are you sure you want a print shop with such restricted access?

Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY

Daniel,

Thanks so much for the advice! I’d really like to avoid taking as much as possible apart on the press - but it looks like to me that the roller trip lever and the feed assembly would be pretty easy. I also definitely think removing the tower assembly will be a good idea.

To answer your question, I am a very small print shop and don’t receive paper in giant quantities. I use mainly custom orders handmade stock and usually get it pre-trimmed for me, although I am also buying a 16” Challenge cutter for post-trimming (which should fit through the door with no problem). You’re right though, it’s good to plan ahead. The owners of the building are willing to let me take out and replace the front windows as a last resort, but obviously I’m hoping to avoid that if possible! While it looks like it may be possible to squeeze the Vandercook through the regular sized door, I’m actually a bit more concerned about my 8x12 C&P which may not have any parts that are as easily removable, and at my measure is just 1-2” too wide. I’m starting to think it may be to my advantage to just replace the windows now and get it over with, rather than fret about inches.

Next comes the fun of actually figuring out how to RUN the Universal III, as I only have experience mainly with IVs. Yay!

:)
Nina