Book Binding

[wjbrandel]

I thought I would share some of the stuff I use in book binding.

This is a book cradle, it's used to punch holes in the signatures (the folded pages usually about 5-8 sheets) to make it easier to sew the pages and signatures together.

Here is one of my book presses, gentle pressure to keep the book flat while glue dries (the one I use most is made from cast iron and is 3 foot long and 2.5 feet deep and is very heavy).

Here is my sewing frame. it helps keep the signatures even during sewing. It also hold twine or leather string if you want a decorative spine.

Here are some other equipment, head and tail bands chipboard, wood for covers and some loose weave muslin for securing all the work that goes into sewing all the signatures together.

 

[kevin]

That is very interesting.......
Will you post pics when you go through the process?

 

[wjbrandel]

That is very interesting.......
Will you post pics when you go through the process?

I certainly can and as long as one person wants to I will

 

[kevin]

I'll bet I'm not the only one.

 

[Wig41]

No, you will not be the only one !

 

[wjbrandel]

Great, I love sharing my hobbies.
First installment of book binding:

The piercing cradle with the first of 11 signatures in. The post it sheets show which holes I am using (mainly so I don't get confused ) Each signature has 5 sheets of paper.

It doesn't show very well but there are the holes for the needle.

Here is the first signature stitched together, 10 more to go. The thread I am using is about 4 times the thickness of regular sewing thread and is treated with beeswax to act as a lubricant so it doesn't tear up the pages, the beeswax also helps the knots to stay.

Here are all 11 signatures done, with a finishing knot at the tail (right side of the photo). Now I need to do a kettle stitch at the head and tail of the block.

Here is the text block with the stitching at the head and tail to hold everything together.

And here is the block clamped in the book press with a layer of neutral pva glue to help hold everything together. That will cure for about 2 to 3 hours then the spine muslin will be glued on, overall about 4 or 5 layers of glue will go on the spine alone, then I can work on the cover.

 

[kevin]

I can almost smell the pages.

I really like old school methods. Just because it's newer, doesn't mean it's better. I will read the forums off a computor screen because I have no choice, but I will never read a book on a screen .

 

[wjbrandel]

I can almost smell the pages.

I really like old school methods. Just because it's newer, doesn't mean it's better. I will read the forums off a computor screen because I have no choice, but I will never read a book on a screen .

That's one reason I learned book binding. Turn pdfs into hard copy.

 

[wjbrandel]

Here is the loose weave muslin, used to strengthen the spine of the book

Here is a piece of it attached to the spine, 2 more layers of glue and I'll be good to start the covers.

2 more tools needed for book binding, I forgot to include them earlier. They are bone folders, used to sharpen the folds in the paper and to smooth out the paper when gluing it down.

 

[Glenn S]

View attachment 195482
Here is the loose weave muslin, used to strengthen the spine of the book
View attachment 195483
Here is a piece of it attached to the spine, 2 more layers of glue and I'll be good to start the covers.
View attachment 195484
2 more tools needed for book binding, I forgot to include them earlier. They are bone folders, used to sharpen the folds in the paper and to smooth out the paper when gluing it down.

Thanks for sharing. Thats pretty cool!
I've had a couple of books that I value re-bound. Not inexpensive, but well worth it.
The quality between the original binding and the re-binding is like night and day.
Thanks for keeping this skill alive.

 

[Ron2]

I can almost smell the pages.

I really like old school methods. Just because it's newer, doesn't mean it's better. I will read the forums off a computor screen because I have no choice, but I will never read a book on a screen .

There is something about holding a book in your hands that is more satisfying. I feel there may be more of a connection to the author. You are literally holding something they have worked on in your hands as opposed to electronic media which disappears as soon as you log out.

 

[Ron2]

View attachment 195482
Here is the loose weave muslin, used to strengthen the spine of the book
View attachment 195483
Here is a piece of it attached to the spine, 2 more layers of glue and I'll be good to start the covers.
View attachment 195484
2 more tools needed for book binding, I forgot to include them earlier. They are bone folders, used to sharpen the folds in the paper and to smooth out the paper when gluing it down.

Thanks for sharing this. Very cool hobby! Another skill that is being lost but you are keeping it going!

 

[wjbrandel]

Got as far as I can right now. I need to get the image for the cover and print it out before I can finish the binding

Spine is finished and the head and tail bands are in place. I can sew my own but it is so much easier to use premade one. To sew your own one band would take the better part of 90 minutes.

Going with a quarter cloth cover. The rest of the chipboard will be covered by additional paper with a genre specific symbol on it and a label pasted on the spine with the title and author on it.

These are the cover pages for the front and rear. When this book is done I'll have 2 more to bind.

Only bad thing with this binding is my rounding hammer broke and I had to use a carpenter's hammer to round the spine. Don't worry I have another coming and I am going to replace the handle later.

 

[kevin]

Thanks for sharing the process with us.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Yes, thanks for sharing. Very interesting. And I do have a pet peeve. I love reading books. But they are called book markers for a reason. You put it inside the book when you're done reading on the page you were reading and you close the book set it down. My pet peeve is hardcover books upside down on the table with the pages spread out. Aaarrggg..

 

[blakeh1]

I have a friend who does some book binding stuff. He has been making some cray textured covers, even doing some 3D printed textures

I find it very fascinating

 

[BarleyBop]

Fascinating is my take as well. No doubt my early career in graphic design contributed to that.

I once met a fellow who had studied hand typesetting with monks in Ireland.

These Arts were so instrumental in the development of society and the transmission of knowledge.

Personal computers have been with us for about 50 years. Books — millennia.

 

[Wig41]

Amazing. A truly wonderful skill you possess and I definitely understand your reasoning for doing this. I hate reading from the computer. Holding a solid hardcover book in my hands just feels right.

 

[Glenn S]

Yes, thanks for sharing. Very interesting. And I do have a pet peeve. I love reading books. But they are called book markers for a reason. You put it inside the book when you're done reading on the page you were reading and you close the book set it down. My pet peeve is hardcover books upside down on the table with the pages spread out. Aaarrggg..

It has been my experience that a hand bound book can usually take this act without any damage. The book seems to naturally lay flat.

 

[wjbrandel]

I always wanted to learn typesetting, never had the opportunity though.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

It has been my experience that a hand bound book can usually take this act without any damage. The book seems

It has been my experience that a hand bound book can usually take this act without any damage. The book seems to naturally lay flat.

I agree. Handbound. I think I've read at least a couple thousand books and I can honestly say I don't think I ever read a book that was handbound.

 

[wjbrandel]

Hand bound books are very rare in this day and age. Even sewn spines in modern hardcovers are rare. They usually go with a split page spine and a hot set glue.

 

[wjbrandel]

Glued down the covers, Still need to do the turn ins but I found out that I am out of parchment paper and wax paper to prevent the paste from sticking to the text block while under pressure in the press.

The cloth turn ins are too short, I mis cut them but it'll work.

It has been 8 years since I have bound a book like this I didn't realize how rusty I am.

 

[BarleyBop]

rusty

Strange how that works... Tried throwing some baskets today after a good 15 years since playing with the kids.
Aim is true, but the arc way off!

Very much enjoying your show and tell!

 

[wjbrandel]

Ha the first book is done. Now two more to go.

Decided to make the spine title a paste on label.

When I get all three bound I'll take a picture of them all.

 

[Wig41]

Such a talent. It's great you do it!

 

[wjbrandel]

Such a talent. It's great you do it!

Thanks