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Book Press

New Delhi. 30 June: I grew up in a household with a home-library. Our library is three generations old, and maybe the first book was added to it in the mid 1950’s. As per my knowledge, the oldest book that we own is a “Moby Dick” published from London in 1923.

(c)Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, 
Wikimedia Commons

So I inculcated the habit of “Book Preservation” since early childhood. Many techniques were learnt and matured over time. But at that age also, I realised that the traditional binder shop at the corner of the street was not up to the job. The traditional binders used to put three holes in the book, put a single knot stitching through it and put some cardboard, colourful paper and red coloured buckram (as a spine liner) over it, and the work was done. A great book was spoiled forever.

So I decided to take matters into my own hands. I mastered  traditional book binding, then I moved on to professional book binding, so that I could restore the books to their original form.


With the passage of time this hobby was almost put to the shelves, and I became so busy with life that until recently I never looked at it again. But thanks to a YouTube Channel “Sea Lemon”, I am again obsessed with my old passion. 


I built it.
(c) Pallav.

So the foremost thing that a book binder needs is a device called “Book Press”. It is actually a machine that holds a book for longer durations of time, while you are working on it. It helps you while working upon the spine of the book, or when you are pasting the end papers and boards to the book.

(c) Pallav.

Professional Binderies, have big cast iron book presses. Japanese Book Makers have very beautiful wooden Book Presses. But these machines are costly, and it seems are not available in our country India.


(c) Darbin Orvar, 
Instructables

So, working on the guidance provided by “Sea Lemon”, I decided to make my own book press. The wooden boards came from the kitchen. I cleaned and used two large bamboo-chopping boards for the project. Had to purchase six screws / bolts (4 inches long), and  Wing Nuts from the local hardware shop.


Then I drilled six holes in the boards, and voila, the Book Press is now ready to use. I believe that I can mend almost 80-90 percent of books available in my home library with this book press. Sea lemon had built a small book press, so She only used two screws, but I put additional screws just in case if I am working on some large format book. If I can get longer screws, like 8 or perhaps 10 inches, then I can mend  even very thicker books also with it. I am happy with this device.


Here is a link to Sea Lemon’s YouTube post on Book Press:- https://youtu.be/nTeg8MH0PtI


There is another video on Antique Book Binding, Please also watch it:- https://youtu.be/DtJK_fcrLlY 



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