We recently acquired a Vandercook 320 in somewhat rough shape.
Serial number 6679. This says it is a “Number 320” although all the literature seems to refer to a “320G”
I plan on fixing it up and we will probably sell it because it is bigger than what we need (we think). Alternatively we might sell our Challenge MA-15 instead.
This press is missing its feed board, inking rider & vibrator rollers and frame, ink fountain, and automatic delivery, but I’m not sure which of these are optional equipment that was never part of this press. I’ve also been playing a game of Name That Part for various loose parts I’ve found:
Various bars, identified.
Unknown parts, about 1 inch square, possibly NS-496 (holders for the ink fountain plate)
So there are hints of an ink fountain (the NS-496 blocks, NS-393 Hooks on the ends of the LS-67 Ink Frame Supports, and the bolts that hold the LS-160 Fountain Support arms), and hints of an Automatic Delivery system (the NS-322 and unknown part in the last photo), but perhaps these parts are present on the press even if sold without these options.
However, I’m reasonably certain that the rider rollers, oscillator, and the frame to hold them were standard equipment and I see no sign of them. Or perhaps they weren’t used with the ink fountain, and this press originally had the ink fountain…?
A conspicuous absence of rider and oscillator rollers, not to mention decrepit form rollers.
The feed board is also completely absent. All I have is the six bolts that would normally attach the Feed Board Brackets to the main table.
The well under the ink plate had a good deposit of black gunk. It sort of had the consistency of roof patching compound mixed with very heavy oil. I scraped out the soft part, and finding that the usual solvents such as paint thinner had no effect on it, I’ve applied some paint remover to see if that helps soften the mess.
Our first goal, though, will be making this press a bit more mobile, since it is currently very much the elephant in the room. I will probably set up some rails to put under the feet to allow me to move the press with a pallet jack.
I finally made a cradle so we can move the press around.
I just edited this to add a reference to NS-393 Hooks, which are another clue that the press might have been fitted with an ink fountain.