Post by coliny on Aug 5, 2016 19:00:12 GMT
I don’t think I am alone when I admit to having improvised my approach and tools when tackling bookbinding challenges. Every re-bind has its unique peculiarities. We all learn basic fundamental skills, but just like driving, you really only learn when you have passed your test, which probably relates to most things in life.
Here is a list of some of my trusted assistants:
Two old cast Victorian flat irons, an assorted array of 4mm plywood rectangles, thin acrylic sheet A4 and larger, a wooden rolling pin, a wooden roller out of a paper towel dispenser, three different diameter plastic plumbing pipe lengths, some rigid card tubes, some 12mm diameter steel tube. Various widths of board 16mm to 80mm used as spine spacers. A number of “G” clamps and other clamps; odd pieces of board used in conjunction with the clamps. A number of rectangular pieces of thick vinyl floor covering cut to the bed size of my cast iron letter press. A No.4 Stanley carpenters smoothing plane and a jewellers Archimedean screw hand drill; and not forgetting my buckled stationary folder tapes (loved by our Civil Service); and I could name more.
I have yet to acquire a short length of plastic guttering which an esteemed bookbinder found invaluable in the rounding of a large special assignment.
I know from having had a cousin who was a timed served cabinet maker, that all craftsmen make a proportion of their own jigs and tools, so what are your favourites!!
Here is a list of some of my trusted assistants:
Two old cast Victorian flat irons, an assorted array of 4mm plywood rectangles, thin acrylic sheet A4 and larger, a wooden rolling pin, a wooden roller out of a paper towel dispenser, three different diameter plastic plumbing pipe lengths, some rigid card tubes, some 12mm diameter steel tube. Various widths of board 16mm to 80mm used as spine spacers. A number of “G” clamps and other clamps; odd pieces of board used in conjunction with the clamps. A number of rectangular pieces of thick vinyl floor covering cut to the bed size of my cast iron letter press. A No.4 Stanley carpenters smoothing plane and a jewellers Archimedean screw hand drill; and not forgetting my buckled stationary folder tapes (loved by our Civil Service); and I could name more.
I have yet to acquire a short length of plastic guttering which an esteemed bookbinder found invaluable in the rounding of a large special assignment.
I know from having had a cousin who was a timed served cabinet maker, that all craftsmen make a proportion of their own jigs and tools, so what are your favourites!!
