Upgrading press

Windmills can run any quantity. The easy cleanup makes small runs practically a non issue.

Hairline registration should not be a problem, unless the press is overly worn or run too fast.

The upcoming Printers’ Fair in Iowa would be a good opportunity to get a demo (possibly hands-on). There are three windmills there.

P. S. Whittenberg Inc, will be at PRINT13 in Chicago this month, with a windmill and a cylinder. They will demo the machines and answer any questions you have.

You don’t mention what quantities of production you are considering. Many have upgraded from Vandercook presses to C&P or Kluge hand-fed presses and have been successful with those. If your press runs get beyond 500-1000 copies, then the auto-fed presses are the way to go.

You will get various reports from users on what press is their favorite, or which are easiest to learn, or which have better inking. A quick perusal of a few press-related discussions from the past on this site might be of interest in making your selection.

John Henry

Well I got something very informative here.I am also searching for such a device.

Buy Broadway tickets

It all depends on what you are printing, and how many yo want to print. For many types of printing, the Vandercook is actually the better machine, and a change could be a step down. Sure, they are slower, but they can do some fine work.

of the presses you mentioned, I’d say the Windmill is the best…. IF you learn to use it correctly. As far as the Kluge and/or the C&P….. while they can do good work, it requires a skilled person feeding it to keep the registration tight.

No matter what you get, be sure to get good training on it before you start using it. While your Vandercook can bite, it’s not as bad a biter as the C&P or Kluge. They can be rather nasty to newbie operators.

I am no where near as experienced as most here. I started with a table top CP then went to a CP 10x15, then added a challenge proof press ( same as vandercook sp15 ). I am torn between the incredible quality of printing and precision adjustments on the proof press and the time it takes to print on it.

The CP is a good press but if I never see another roll of masking tape ( taping rails ) again it will be too soon. I can get after much mucking about great printing, in fact all the work I showcase has been printed on it and that work exceeded all of my customers expectations.

When I put something through the proof press and make my first impression.. I say, “oh that looks nice”

When I put something through the CP and make the first impression.. its a mix of.. “hmmmm, interesting.. what is causing that?.. ahh.. more masking tape.. and WTF?!?”

Yes the safety thing is an issue, I have had a few near imperfect manicures while die cutting on the CP.

In my opinion going from the vandercook to the CP / Kludge for you will be like going from the vandercook to putting your paper up on a wall and throwing rubbers stamps at.

If someone came to me and said, here print “this” on your CP, I could confidently, again I am sure I have much to learn. However after experiencing the precision of the proof press I decided to purchase a windmill.
After watching every You Tube video I could find and seeing all the amazing precision adjustments - not to mention never once did I see a roll of masking tape - the decision was a no brainer.
I pick it up next week. This week I accomplished the incredible feat of getting it up on blocks. I figure the 3rd week I can learn how to turn it on.

I think we should all just print on broadway.