Single Section Bradel Binding // Adventures in Bookbinding

[@thevdevitor]

I wish to all here a very good day

[@tesladrummer]

The steel spacer gauges in this video are called by machinists (precision) ground flat stock (or bar). They are typically available in 18 in and 36 in. Occasionally, 8 or 6 in assortments can be found. They are also available in metric, which is harder to find in the US, but easy internationally. A search for 'metric ground flat stock Australia' turned up several suppliers which sell half and full meter lengths. An important note is that they are ground to width and thickness so each gauge is 2-in-1. In other words, you can carefully chose 5x25, 4x20, 30x3, etc to have a full assortment with half as many pieces. It's often possible to find lower cost imported stock which are fine for this application but aren't always reliable for toolmaking, see below. The steel is typically a tool steel often O1 or A2 (US designations). These are steels that blades and cutters are commonly made from. They almost always come unhardened, so one can saw and file a tool and then harden it without too much trouble. There are also loads of hardening and treating shops. I add this part to note that it's nice to have this stock around for more than just measuring and cutting.

[@SusanWebster-pz2vg]

Such expertise and fantastic workmanship 😊thank you:)

[@AngelavengerL]

I always thought pamphlet binding was meh but seeing this finished project i'll have to think again. That turned out so beautiful.

[@carolperron9285]

Wow so very efficient and such a lovely binding. Thank you for all the tips and measurements.

[@sameash3153]

Based! I am a composer and this is perfect for making choral scores.

[@m3mcnall]

My single section Bradel binding book turned out beautifully. Thanks for the excellent demonstration/directions.

[@ryannixon1346]

Thank you for the videos, I have enjoyed your work immensely and you’re consistency is impressive. As someone who is new to the bookbinding world. One thing I have found difficult to find information on is how different weights of paper are used and why? I would love an episode on how different weights of paper are generally used and why/what use(s) particular weights lend themselves to be used for...eg notebook vs a printed text. Do you buy paper that is letter sized that is short grain or do you cut up larger sheets to accomplish this? Just a request. Paper selection feels like selecting the type of foundation for a home, I want to understand the material I am working with as much as possible. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration. Regards!

[@DASBookbinding]

Great idea but it can be a complex subject. I'm doing a series of "Introduction to ...." type videos. I might try adding one for paper. Thanks for the idea. Darryn

[@alhandra1982]

Thank you for you clear instructions! I want to bind my own small sketchbook and this was exactly what I needed!

[@iroquis205]

Hello DAS Bookbinding, I do practice the art of bookbinding since 2 years 1/2 and I really like your videos! You're doing such a great job, really nice! Well done with the Bradel, I like that! I'm looking forward to watch your other videos!

[@chopin65]

I like the descriptor "bulldog clips". Here in America they are called "binder clips". "Bulldog clip" is more colorful. Thank you, for sharing your fine craftsmanship. It is fascinating to watch you work.

[@awatercolourist]

Thanks for the clear instructions.

[@masoodhassan8290]

Thank you, i did my first book today ! Turned out great after following your video !Your videos are awesome.

[@mikezinn7212]

I know I'm not only one to thank you Darryn for your wonderful contribution to the on-line educational bookbinding community over the last year. Your knowledge shared, your succinct explanations ('warts and all'), together with the clarity of your photography, I'm sure has and will continue to inspire many to improve their skills, or for beginners, to join the tens of thousands who get such joy from this fascinating and often 'addictive' craft. Compliments of the season (if applicable) to you all and well wishes for a safe and healthy 2021.

[@DASBookbinding]

Thank you very much. All the best to you and your family for the festive season too. I'm sure we'll all have a better 2021! Darryn

[@pierrelecaillou6966]

Thank you friend for your excellent video.

[@phoebebaker1575]

A beautiful little music book. I like the binding method, and I especially like the paste paper you’ve used.

[@irmtraudruttner]

Your videos are explained in a easy manner - love it ! Do you also have a KZbin video displaying « swiss bradel » ?

[@kateh4030]

Very nice to see that lovely paste paper from the other day. I will definitely think of ways to use this binding.

[@DASBookbinding]

Have fun! DAS

[@BlueDolphinStudios]

You are amazing! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I particularly love hearing your Australian accent. I too am Australian and proud to be with such brilliant work coming from you. Thank you so much.

[@DASBookbinding]

Thank you! 😃 DAS

[@anjaliab13]

Seems like a nice way to elevate a zine! Might try it for that.

[@DASBookbinding]

Go for it! DAS

[@vernonchew6112]

Great idea! Now I don't need to use glue on the front board when I cover it with fabric. Thanks!!!

[@solucionesgraficas8968]

EXCELENTE AMIGO SALUDOS DESDE GUADALAJARA MÉXICO . VERY NICE

[@DASBookbinding]

G'day and thanks for watching!! Darryn

[@davidarmes5439]

This tutorial was really helpful - thanks a lot for making it. Solved a lot of problems for me!

[@daveturnbull7221]

Fantastic timing Darren - been racking my brain for ideas of a gift to give one of my neighbours as a thankyou for the regular homecooked meals (I burn the water when making coffee). As she is a music teacher all I have to do now is find out her favourite piece of music and then see if it is available on that site 👍

[@sallyweiner4180]

Fantastic!

[@hannahpowell]

Thank you so much for all your videos! They are both informative and enjoyable to watch! Would you ever be interested in making a video on how you do lettering on the spine? Thanks again! :)

[@DASBookbinding]

I cheat and use a blocking press. Very few people will have access to such an expensive piece of equipment. I still might do a video on it. Thanks, DAS

[@marcelocade8897]

you all probably dont care at all but does anyone know a trick to log back into an instagram account? I stupidly lost my password. I would appreciate any tricks you can give me!

[@vivaanignacio9363]

@Marcelo Cade instablaster =)

[@marcelocade8897]

@Vivaan Ignacio I really appreciate your reply. I found the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@marcelocade8897]

@Vivaan Ignacio It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my ass !

[@soliverostavares]

Love these lil 1 day books!

[@rebeccabonner6542]

I see what you did with the music at the end 😉. I just recently bound a small book as a gift and it was about this size. Wish I had your video before!

[@DASBookbinding]

Still time to make more gifts! DAS

[@arunavel0211]

I have not seen God in person, I see you through your profession, sir

[@DASBookbinding]

Thank you. But it is technique from practice. To see work that looks beyond the human hand, check out Robert Wu's work. www.studiorobertwu.com

[@arunavel0211]

@@DASBookbinding I have been giving away free binding card, note, and pouch for pregnant mothers in the name of 'Mahatma Gandhi' to the Government Primary Health Care Hospital located in our area for the benefit of the poor and simple people from my own money since last February. I have been doing it with help and blessings sir. I have given up to 500 record books so far sir

[@DASBookbinding]

@@arunavel0211 That is wonderful of you! DAS

[@arunavel0211]

Sir I need a book pressing machine .How do I register, what is the value of India?

[@xutherrot]

I dont have a steel press, so my sandwich is with two boards and a heavy glass brick or a couple vintage PDRs. Looking forward to trying this binding!

[@DASBookbinding]

Pressing boards and weights are a great press substitute.

[@WoodyandKaren]

Thank you for all your bookbinding information it’s been wonderful. Though I must share this information with you, and it’s coming from a caring and loving place. 😌 I find the choices of music very heavy when I’m trying to concentrate on your information. Most of your videos have quite loud & heavy piano music in them, and when the video is sped up the taping sounds of glueing and the like in the mix, well, it’s a bit like water torture to listen to. So unfortunately I can’t watch too many before I have a head ache, which I find sad as I love watching your channel. Thank you for sharing your skill with us. ☺️💜

[@DASBookbinding]

The captions have all been manually corrected. As an option you can turn down the sound and read the captions. My skills are in bookbinding. When I started making video I had neither skills or equipment for making videos. I was learning as I went and using what I had, which wasn't much. Unfortunately I can't go back and improve old videos. I am remaking some, such as the rounded and backed cased book using my slightly better skills and equipment. I now keep the music level as low as possible, but loud enough that it mostly hides more distracting sounds.

[@barbaratetenbaum9401]

Wow. I was searching the internet for a binding video and stumbled on this video you made of the binding I developed and wrote about in the Hedi Kyle Festschrift. Thank you for showing this so beautifully. Question: why do you consider it important to glue the boards on the opposite side of the paper from the spine piece? I used to do it this way, but found it so much easier to join them together on the same side of the paper. It seems more precise for measuring the distance and maintaining parallel-ness. Curious to know the thinking. The music you chose is also funny for me, as kids teased me with this song growing up..... Cheers. Love your videos. -Barb T.

[@dexterdragons]

Congratulations!

[@OldIronShops]

Lovely past papers I missed it I'll have to check it out. Btw I'd suggest using info card to crosslink your videos. It's great for when ever you refer to other videos like the single section pamphlet . I promise it will help with views and is super convenient for the viewers.

[@DASBookbinding]

It is supposed to have a card referencing the pamphlet sewing when I start the sewing. I'll have to look into what went wrong. Ta, DAS

[@bookbindinggeek]

@@DASBookbinding For some reason those video link cards, that are in the middle of the video, never show for me. I do see the cards at the end of the video though. I watch KZbin on my laptop, phone and on the tv, and those in the middle of video cards never show for me. There are probably other people like me, so it would be helpful to have the links to the other videos in the video description.

[@meowageddonn]

Love how this turned out. I was wondering if you had an idea for the max # of sheets for this type of binding? Before it would become too unwieldy.

[@DASBookbinding]

Depends on the thickness of the paper. For the slightly heavier papers I mostly use 8 sheets is pushing it. You can do a two section version.

[@britt70712]

Thank you so much for all your videos, this one is also great like the others! You have helped me immensely in my quest to bind my own books. I was wondering what type of boards (material and thickness) you use on either side of your case when pressing it? I just acquired an old press that I’m fixing up to use and will definitely need some pressing boards to protect the things I’m pressing but I’m just not sure what to use. Any input is greatly appreciated!

[@DASBookbinding]

I use 9mm marine ply. It is thin but strong and not affected by moisture. My main 2 sizes are 165x230 and 230x330 - a bit bigger than A5 and A4. Happy binding!

[@graciouscompetentdwarfrabbit]

Totally unrelated and something I just can't stop thinking about it when I see it: How do you get so many real estate flyers? I mostly use newspaper as waste paper since it's almost always free (I just get old newspaper from family), but I feel like you go through so many of those flyers...

[@DASBookbinding]

It's a local free paper that gets thrown in my yard once a week. I pull the staples and cut down the spine. It's better quality paper than newsprint and the ink doesn't offset. Clearly most of their income is from real estate ads:) I try to not use sheets with things like political advertising but the occasional one gets in. All the best, DAS

[@mikezinn7212]

I use those local free papers here in Australia too. Also, fish shops and 'old fashioned' butchers have reams of wrapping paper they use, and for the odd $ are happy to give you 10-20 large sheets I then cut up. The purchase of a few fresh prawns or the odd fillet steak works wonders! Newspaper has caused problems in the past.

[@davetulsa]

Sir, could you tell me what the width gages are called on Talas? I cannot find them for anything- and they seem super useful. Thank you for your time and videos.

[@DASBookbinding]

Yes, very handy. www.talasonline.com/Steel-Rule-Set

[@davetulsa]

@@DASBookbinding Thank you so much!

[@jenniefrench1338]

Beautiful binding! Here I have so much sheet music and it’s not in books that stay open. Playing the piano and slapping open the book get old. I wonder how many sheets would be the limit to keeping the book open. Maybe the width of the music stand on the keyboard? If you have any idea that would be great because I could go through and pitch what I don’t play and bind what I do. I love the creases and how you are amazingly quick. I loved the projects I did who knows maybe I should take up the practice. Who ever would get stuck with me would need a boatload of patience.

[@DASBookbinding]

I've decided 10 sheets over 100gsm paper and 14 sheets for 80gsm. This is an easy project, give it a go!! DAS

[@djentleharp]

Cool video! Nice how you made a fancy cover for a thin book, I'll definitely try that. How would one measure the width of the spine when you don't have such a big fancy tool?

[@DASBookbinding]

I don't remember which big fancy tool I used. But a ruler should work. Happy binding! DAS

[@SJ-dl6uc]

7:30 is the reason you use a set square to stabilize the metal ruler so it won't slide? i have a hard time cutting straight lines w a ruler and im not sure what I'm doing wrong. im a scientist and have taken advanced geometry and know the tips and tricks for getting 90° angles etc. but when it comes to actual cutting it's never straight. im assuming it's my dexterity, as oppose to knowledge. do you have any other recommendations? I use a metal ruler w a cork back so it won't slip (theoretically), and a rulled cutting matt. i even use carpenter rulers that handholds specifically for cutting 90° edges. at this point im this close to adding extra margins to just tape the damned paper and cut off the adhesive parts afterwards. im genuinely at a loss. even paper trimmers are not yielding straight cuts. i literally watched a vid to how to use one just to see if I'm missing something obvious n it really wasn't nuanced. so i know it's user error and as the user, im stomped. your vids are so informative and accessible, anyone in the bookbinding community should claim you as their pride and joy. you'd make a perfect professor: knowledgeable, passionate, w tons of experience that aid in refining all these processes. you also experiment and understand the chemistry of bookbinding. man, i wish they'd teach bookbinding as part of organic and inorganic chemistry, as 'practical chemistry '. for microbiology, our applied microbio projects were in making bread, beer, wine, yogurt, cheese, pickles. we should've done bookbinding for chemistry: adhesives, pastes, paper composition, synthetic vs natural behavior w regards to water and adhesives etc in organic and inorganic chem lab. we spent so much time on analogue 3D structure of molecules. that should've been homework and the practical applications should've been the lecture. um... end rant...? sorry, it just irks me that i could've done this in undergrad n didn't even think about it

[@DASBookbinding]

Sorry to hear you are struggling with cutting board. Maybe check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIWkaHZqfJh7Y7M Hope it helps. DAS

[@kardanadam2]

master nice music O, Tannenbaum

[@edwardgurney1694]

Perfectly timed! I have a staple-bound pamphlet I want to rebind as a hardback for longevity, and have been thinking about how to do so. I was going to use your previous single section pamphlet method where you did it in boards. How does this case method compare to the other method in terms of openability etc? Is one more suited to slightly thicker pamphlets than the other?

[@DASBookbinding]

This version opens really well because there is no attachment between the pastedown and first free endpaper. This is also the negative for this binding. It took me awhile to accept that there wasn't a continuous piece of paper here. The other advantage of this binding is having a flat spine to be able to put a title on. The in-boards binding is significantly faster because no mucking about mucking a case. I first used this a few years ago for some articles. My first attempt I didn't understand the attachment with the cloth and had the cloth facing the wrong way. Then I didn't do a good job putting down the paste downs. So my original judgement was biased by my flaws. I'm glad I've revisited it because I like it more now. It is great for music. All the best, Darryn

[@edwardgurney1694]

@@DASBookbinding Ah, thats a good point about titles- you've swayed me around to the cased method. Do you think it would be possible to round the spine stiffener slightly, since the textblock is rounded?

[@margaretallen1082]

Thanks, love your channel. This was so helpful. Can I ask why in that last step you just “tipped” the pages instead of gluing them all the way? I am a real novice at this!

[@DASBookbinding]

It' a modern take on the "made endpaper". Made endpapers are rather stiff, while tipping just at the fore-edge it remains very flexible. Some people call that style a flexible made endpaper. DAS

[@margaretallen1082]

@@DASBookbinding that makes total sense, thank you!

[@bobguy3939]

Could you do several signatures on one strip of fabric before putting the cover on or would it lose integrity?

[@DASBookbinding]

I think you could and I did think about this. Tetenbaum implies this at the start of her article. I didn't try it though. Let me know if you manage to do it. All the best, DAS

[@mlrivera1]

I Love your videos! I've been bookbinding on and off for years, and would like to ask you what you think the best binding is for an Operatic Vocal Score. I've done perfect bindings but want to see if there are better bindings. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@DASBookbinding]

This one! If it's more than 1 section then a square back Bradel. Good luck! DAS

[@BlueSkyBody1]

What would you call that instrument you use at around 5:10 to measure the spine thickness? I searched for guage calipers and other things like that but couldn't find that specific one, which seems really useful. Also, thank you so much for these videos. They are so helpful and inspiring!

[@DASBookbinding]

Dial thickness gauge

[@BlueSkyBody1]

@@DASBookbinding thanks so much!

[@stampenrangers]

I have many music "books" that were stapled but have broken. I would love to do this for them. Do you think there is a limit to how many sheets in one section this would work for? The one I'm thinking of has 18 sheets (72 pages A4).

[@DASBookbinding]

Good question. I started a project with 10 sheets, plus a white and decorative endpapers, plus the cloth. It was a bit difficult to punch the holes for the sewing. It was the heavier 118gsm Mohawk paper. Maybe if I'd used thinner paper. But I will finish this book eventually. I guess the only way to find out is to try:) Good luck! DAS

[@jpaganeng]

You mentioned that the glue can be mixed. What do you mix it with?

[@DASBookbinding]

Check out my video on bookbinding adhesives. Mix is a mixture of glue (PVA or similar) and paste (traditionally starch based or similar - I use methyl cellulose).

[@bookbindinggeek]

What size are the knitting needles that you use on the nipping press?

[@DASBookbinding]

4mm DAS

[@nickelazoyellow7360]

Is there a reason you just "tip" the decorative paper to the first page rather than just paste the whole thing down?

[@DASBookbinding]

The traditional method is to glue the leaves together to make a "made" leaf. These tend to be very stiff and this approach of making a flexible made leaf has become more popular. In a historically inspired binding I would do a proper made endpaper but otherwise I like this more flexible variation. All the best, DAS

[@carolraven3151]

I tried to find those gauges onTalas. How are they listed? 'Gauges' was unproductive. Thank you.

[@DASBookbinding]

Sorry, I meant to put that in the description. www.talasonline.com/Steel-Rule-Set DAS

[@elisavianna7398]

Muito Lindo!

[@sinceyouveaskedilltellyouw2241]

I wonder if there is a way to rebinding several composition notebooks together into a single volume.

[@DASBookbinding]

I'm sure you could. But how depends on how the individual notebooks are bound and many other factors. Too many possible permeations for me to make a suggestion. Ciao, DAS

[@chazz30000]

How did you put the lettering on the spine?

[@DASBookbinding]

Hot foil press

[@maneberadeiro]

Lindo

[@Demosophist]

I don't know what "tip to the outer white" means, so using it in the preamble does me no good whatsoever.

[@Demosophist]

Also it took me awhile to figure out that when you say "the text" you don't mean the actual text, but the text block. That's an interesting ambiguity, and probably derives from the manuscript era before printing when "the text" was literally a reference to the codex itself. "Grab that text off the shelf" sort of thing.

[@DASBookbinding]

But it becomes clear in the video. Yes, I should settle on a word for the "block". I've just never liked "block" and in the context "text" is fairly easy to work out. DAS

[@Demosophist]

@@DASBookbinding I find that I have to pay very close attention and write down every word I might not understand, to see if the context clears up the meaning. In most cases the context does clear it up, eventually.

[@jamesjoyce5136]

Sorry - ist this english spoken? What strange dialect is this? Its extremely unknown to me, how you pronounce for example „a“: i always hear (german) „Oi“ , a5 i hear „Oi foive“. I think, i have to learn new pronouncing. From which city does this dialect come?

[@DASBookbinding]

strine with a german ancestory

[@csbbookbinding9769]

Thanks for the video. I’m feeling inspired to do some binding. I’ve got a couple Christmas gift to finish binding.