Category: Letterpress for beginners
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Earlier topic: Where can I find wood furniture?

My baby Vandy…

  • Judy Panetta
  • on 31 Aug 24 (11:34)
  • Updated 2 Sep 24 (06:49)

Hello! I’m not new to printing (etchings,engravings) but I am new to letterpress. I just got a Vandercook No. 1 (new style). I’ve never seen a cylinder without the Tympen. Does the surface look ok?

I’m also not sure what is the “finish” and what can be cleaned off.

I’m also looking for a manual. I’m flummoxed with packing paper. And wringing my hands over ink (rubber???).

Oh so many questions…I’m slowly making my way through the letterpress for beginners category.

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Log in to reply   9 replies so far

A lot of what you see is actually pitted metal from long term encrustation with dirt and moisture (the cylinder area under the tympan goes shows this effect).

I would not try to make this a “perfect” area, but instead use the press as is, so long as there are no major pits in the bed. Perfection may involve removal of the roller rack and shimming it to ensure the bearers are .918 or .968 (galley height), along with a lot of machine grinding that would cost far more than the press is worth.

Judy,
Congratulations and good luck. You’llget a wealth of information from Paul Moxon and his site
https://vandercookpress.info

Steve Varvaro
SouthpawPrinters.com

I would suggest working on the cylinder and bed with relatively fine steel wool, which can remove most of the rust and crud without removing structural metal. With the rack teeth use a vacuum cleaner hose attachment and something like an ice pick to scratch the “valleys” between the teeth while holding the vacuum hose close by to suck up the loose stuff immediately. You could also brush the teeth vigorously with an old toothbrush, but if if the crud has been packed in by the cylinder teeth the ice pick will do a better job.

Bob

Thanks so much for your comments. So…a brand new Vandy, out of box would have a bright shiny surface.

Judy

Thanks for your comments! So…a brand new Vandy cylinder, out of the box would be shiny metal? Ok.

If you would like to post your location (roughly, not street and number), maybe one of us is nearby and could help more from seeing the press in person.

I have a space in Clifton Heights which is just outside Philly. In Delaware County. I would love to have someone take a look!

Judy, I cleaned up a Replex flat bed press, similar to your Vandy. I took the tracks off the press by taking out 3 screws. Simple. Clean thoroughly with solvent and a toothbrush, then put them back on. I don’t know if the Vandy has the same screws. Don’t forget to go to https://vandercookpress.info/ for all kinds of information on Vandercooks and the best authority on the subject, Paul Moxon.

Thanks! I will check out the tracks. And yes…I’ve already spent many hours at Vandercookpress.info.