Vandercook #4 proofing press? Advice on a possible purchase?

Hi Everyone

I’ve recently come upon a Vandercook #4 in a local school that has been sitting collecting dust for what looks like decades. It seems to be considerably smaller than the Vandercooks I have seen in other studios, but the print bed is still larger than my Pilot and that’s what I am looking for, 14”x18” form size with 14.75”x20” paper size.

I basically want to be able to do poster-size prints and use larger text and images, so this seems like it could be a good find. I just don’t know much about it other than what the Vandercook website says, and that is mostly technical info. I have also never used one before and assume I am in for a long learning curve.

I am hoping someone here has used or maybe has some knowledge of the press besides just the technical info. I have searched the discussions and not much info comes up. Here are some questions off the top of my head:

Is it a good workhorse press or mainly for proofing?
(The site says it was mainly for test prints)

Is it fairly reliable?

Is it hard to find parts/rollers/etc?

What is a fair price for it?

Thanks for viewing my post and any information or advice anyone might have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Mike

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A #4 (there were several different configurations with that number) should be a very good press for what you intend. I owned one back in the 1980s, and did quite a bit of work on it. The inking system is not as “sophisticated” as some of the newer models, but still was quite capable of good inking (certainly better than your Pilot).

Of course the Vandercook presses (with only a couple exceptions) were not particularly designed for production printing, but they have been put to that use by many many people in the “book arts” arena. You will find it is a press which will do the sort of work you intend to produce, and will have a very short “learning curve” as you put it into service. It is a very simple machine, with simple adjustments, and not much can go wrong as compared with other motorized presses.

Rollers are available as are some basic consumables from NA Graphics, and if the press has rollers now, they can be recovered with new rubber by many roller companies around the world.

J Henry

The #4 is a real sweet press, and in demand from studios and schools. If you can grab it, do so.

Depending on the specific model, condition, and location; it could easily go for $6K to $8K (or more) on the open market. Then again, I’ve seen expensive presses go for very short money if the conditions are right.

Hi Mike,

I have a No. 4 (a later model, built in 1957) and it’s a wonderful press. It was indeed designed for reproduction proofs, but I generally do runs in the 100 to 200 range and it works just fine. You do, however, need to keep an eye on the form roller height, since, with numerous successive prints, the rollers do tend to “relax.” Also, if you’re printing large forms and aiming for precisely consistent inking, you have to examine each print as it comes off the press and add ink judiciously.

I have a Flickr page with a couple of sets that focus on the No. 4. One describes how I cleaned it; the other describes how I installed new rollers.

I agree with Bill Whitley about the price range, but I was at the Los Angeles Printers Fair last year and ran into a young man who found one in the basement of the graphics design firm where he worked. He asked his boss how much they wanted for it, and the boss said, “You can have it for $5.”

Barbara

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for your information! These are exactly the things I wanted to know. I am a little apprehensive about getting a press I have had no experience with but your posts have made is sound like it’s possible to make it work without too much down time for the learning curve. Thanks J Henry and Bill Whitley!

I looked at the press again today and I will try to get a few pictures of it when there is more available daylight.

Barbara your pictures of the restoration are great! If I do end up with this press I can only hope that my resto job is half as good as yours. Really beautiful job! Your advice about the upkeep and work-related issues are also invaluable. Thanks Barbara!

I hope you won’t mind me bugging you all little in the future if I do end up with this #4 press.

And thank you, Briarpress, for making it easier to make an informed decision.

Mike

Mike:

Be sure to check out Paul Moxon’s site
http://vandercookpress.info/
for all things related specifically to the Vandercook.

—David Smith.

Flailmaster! This is no time to be a quailmaster. Jump on this thing.

I know, it seems scary to own such a large hunk of metal, but once it is in working order (it may already be), you will never, ever regret it. You will only shed bitter tears later if this press slips through your fingers now. Trust me on this! (I have an honest face.)

I have an SP-15 but learned on a 4. They are both super-fun. Go get that press!

p.s. Not that I am done learning. Should have said “…started learning on a 4.”

Hi Mike, I own a no. 4 too, I did get it for much less than what was mentioned, but the condition was in accordance to the price.
You can see some restoration photos which has begun just today here on this flickr set

Congratulations on your find, and I hope you can buy it.