Book Binding Question
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- 071183
Is there a specific tool that I am supposed to use to create the holes that I thread the needle into? I figure I can't just use a needle to poke the holes through the pages, as the holes won't be cleanly "cut." If such a tool exists, is it available at any art store?
Please excuse my ignorance. I'm incredibly new to bookbinding, and my prof hasn't given me much info about it.
- antigirl0
yes, there is such a tool. this is probably too late, though. but it's called an 'awl'.
- preston0
one time i saw this kid using a dremel... it was amazing
- melk0
i used to have this fantasically crazy german teacher for 3d construction (real 3d not the computer kind).
she basically would make any tool she thought would help in her in making books and such.
what she used for that was just a needle but she'd made this sort of resting base - 2 angled pieces of wood in a box construction that didn't meet at the end but left a space of about 5 mm. you'd then stick your uncut cover and pages in there (the fold in the space between the pieces of wood) and then push a needle through. if you stitched it right you'd get the most perfectly square book sections!
she also made us make these things called bench hooks - an a2 piece of wood with an inch thick, long piece of wood on alternate ends (ie if there was one piece along the left edge looking down there would be a piece on the underside on the right edge) you'd sit it on the end of your desk and if you used a set square and ruler you never cut anything badly! it was just so simple but so perfect!anyway i've most likely digressed from your original question
- AssassinAve0
You can use an awl like it did but it was a bitch. I unfortunately made a book on 110lb paper manually(with my hand)punched through the sheets. It was a bitch and made my pages crooked. I recommend using either a hand drill(one you manually rotate)or use the Dremel or comparable tool as mentioned.
The guy that was helping us bind them said he used a Dremel.
- melk0
oh yeah she also said she used tiny hand drills for big books - she used to remake these 16th and 17th century books for collectors all by hand - she's even do the lettering in the traditional way the monks used to - anyway i go on i just thought it was the coolest thing, you get quite complacent about books now and seeing someone work like that is just inspiring
- antigirl0
your old teacher sounds amazing.
and AssassinAve; to avoid that problem with an awl, make a guide, and just set the guide over each section of paper, and it should line up fine. but yeah - 110lb could be tricky to go through.
- chug0
there is a specific tool for the book binding
07100 or wahtever, if you still go to Don Mills there should be one in the library
people, if an old lady librarian can use it it can't be too hard