book binding treasures

[liliblackswan]

WEll, I've been awake all night. Made a lot of decisions, got up did more research. I've finally decided that I'm going to go with hand book binding. First because all the new equipment is computerized, digital, and will require lots of upkeep. The high end is so far out of my budget it's insane, the low end is made of plastic and won't last a

Comments

[flameelf]

Wow, I'm envious in a GOOD way!!!

I still regret the book press that escaped my being able to buy it--by the time I had the money, it had sold. But it's on my list of things I want to eventually get.

I really DO wish we lived close by one another! I have my workbench and drill press (Ginny bought a massive book drill press; mine's basically just a normal drill press), my Japanese paper punches, and all the hammers, etc. for Japanese binding. I recently found a portable paper guillotine for $5 at Value Village (laughs), but having a big table one is the dream.

My plan was always to get a better paying job and to invest in more equipment...and have some made, because I have a few books on how to make different pieces of equipment for sewing signatures, book presses, etc. Eventually I will, too; it drives me crazy to see things offered up in the local book binder's guild that I can't presently afford.

I'd love to teach you paper marbling--I can do it both with acrylics and with sumi-e inks. *loves*

Eventually I want to do tooled leather covers with vellum sheets in quasi-Pictish/Celtic style, but until then...I dream! And applaud your ongoing successes!

Love you!

Nechtan :)

[liliblackswan]

sorry to take so long, it's been nuts. Yes, I do wish we lived near each other. I could learn so much. Once you get started with this old book equipment you can't stop. It's beautiful and functional. I did see a pretty cool frame for sewing signatures online, as well as some plans and that will be next after the guillotine. I'm still dithering over it and just wish I could stumble on one close by. A friend of mine passed one up for $15 at a local flea market recently so I may swing by there before investing in the table version. I'm just afraid I'm going to have to move in and out of studios and it's much easier if I can move some of this stuff myself.

I envy you having a local book binders guild. I can't find one. I just finished my first simple with only four signatures. The book boards did warp which but I'll have the book press within a month so that should not be a problem. Have you looked at the stuff on Volcano Arts? I am eyeing the etching setup. I've been wanting to etch copper.
Are you going to make any more books? Yours set such ahigh standard to go by. I don't have a drill yet, that will come later. Right now I'm just l=using a handpunch I used to use for leather and it works good on a marble work area.
Here's my website: http://www.freewebs.com/gailgraystudios/index.htm