Homemade Bookbinding Press // Adventures in Bookbinding

[@KestralWolfe]

I cannot possibly express the huge leaps my bookbinding has taken from watching your videos, and putting your techniques into practice. You sharing your knowledge has allowed me to heighten the quality of the books I sell. Thank you so very much for sharing all of this with us.

[@anndowney6471]

Thank you again. My husband had all the bits needed and made me this press. Much better than the DVD boxes I’d been using. I rewatch your videos over and over just brilliant.

[@thinkingahead6750]

This is how I made my first press. Only difference is that I glued three wooden blocks in place to hold the nose of the F clamp. That way I can just take the clamp out and store the whole thing in a drawer. For the boards I used some plain chopping boards from a supermarket. That's what comes of taking a book on bookbinding on holiday. :)

[@DASBookbinding]

Good ideal to be able to put away quickly. DAS

[@carlpeberdy9086]

What an excellent idea - what was the book?

[@utubepunk]

I'm having a hard time imaging what you're saying. I think I need to re-watch. Lol

[@MrWolfgee]

I've always loved books. While I was avidly soaking up what was in them, I'd idly wonder how they were put together. When I decided that it would be fun to make a sort of tribute to illuminated manuscripts using modern layout software, it became important to know how books are made - and how they were made in the past. I suppose I could have bought a book but I asked the internet. I found your channel and envied your press immediately; now I envy you the rest of your shop. :) In general, I am grateful for the breadth of the knowledge you've shared in your videos. Thank you specifically for offering what looks like an excellent intermediate solution to the need for a press.

[@gordoncouger9648]

Nice press for more than bookbinding. KZbin is a great medium for sharing ideas. It has brought bookbinding back from oblivian,

[@jsmxwll]

the one problem i've had with this style press is that it can put more pressure on the side near the clamp because the book doesn't go all the way through. i've started putting in a shim there the same thickness as the book i'm pressing and resolved that issue. it also allows me to use a larger press to press smaller books that don't reach the center.

[@jamesglover831]

The quality of content and video production is superb! A true artist and Craftsman, thanks for sharing with all of us!

[@mechsistah2395]

This was wonderful! Had tried the wingnut version, and it was horrible horrible horrible. The guidelines you gave (and the helpful nomenclature you provided shopping at the hardware store) helped me put your nipping press design, with a great result. You are a fantastic teacher, and the help you provide with gathering & maintaining the necessary tools is without price for those of us who are in love with your craft & want to give it a go.

[@Mtonazzi]

Figures, been using one with screws and wing nuts on the corners, that belonged to my grandmother (she was a librarian at the army's "War School" -translated name- for would be General Staff officers and did binding and restorations there when needed). I'll keep it, specially for the sentimental value, but I'll consider making this one as well.

[@jamesandrews2902]

Another great video! A very practical design which I will make at the first opportunity to get to the hardwarestore. There is just so much you can make yourself for bookbinding.. a tub is a great accessory , a sewing frame etc, etc. great stuff! I finish chemo after next week and will then be able to get back into more woodwork.. I really appreciate your videos. Jim Andrews

[@DASBookbinding]

Take care! DAS

[@CindyL4261]

I appreciate this video so much! I am a woodworker, a librarian AND interested in book-binding & box-making. So like many other people, I made the press you mentioned (with the wingnuts) and absolutely hate it. I cannot wait to try this model instead! Thank you!

[@carlpeberdy9086]

This is brilliant! Why didn't I think of this?! If it needed to be bigger, an F cramp on either end would still be better than the four wing-nut jobbie.

[@ThePhantazmya]

Yes. I've been avoiding the 4 wingnut press because it seemed like a pain in the butt to use. I like this design much better.

[@carlpeberdy9086]

@@ThePhantazmya I also instinctively felt it would be a pain to use - I'm making this oak press, I can't quite get myself ready for all the dovetailing, but maybe I'll start today?! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKe3oGyehrhgipY&ab_channel=DarbinOrvar

[@dimitris470]

Yep, that's what I am using. Plain mdf with small F clamps. The wing-nuts are just sloooooow and really not ergonomic for such work. F clamps are designed exactly for doing this fast and easy.

[@dimitris470]

@@carlpeberdy9086 Beautiful, but it makes me nervous, especially because the pressure is going to push upwards and hard on the dovetails. I would add more metal to the construction.

[@carlpeberdy9086]

@@dimitris470 Makes me nervous too! I'll probably make it with dovetails and then, if it all comes apart, I'll invest in some really big bolts!

[@nneedler]

Fantastic. I had just texted my brother (a self trained craftsman) that I wanted Santa to bring me a press. Now I will share your video n he and I can make it together.

[@valeriacolivoro25]

Excellent teacher input. A press genius. Today I enjoy the video more than ever because today I can understand it more than before, since subtitles appear in Spanish. I always watch his videos ... they are a delicacy but understanding what he says is fantastic. DAS successes !!!

[@DASBookbinding]

Great to hear. It’s thanks to Carrie for doing the captions in English and I worked out how to turn on auto translate. I’m sure it’s not perfect. Happy binding! Darryn

[@carriesnyder6834]

@@DASBookbinding My pleasure, and I’m so glad it’s useful!

[@marcireale]

You’ve done it again. Just what I needed. Now I’m off to the lumber yard.

[@sherrytucker7102]

Just wanted to say I appreciate you taking the time to post tutorials that actually include DETAILED explanations/descriptions of what you're doing on camera...many others do not. I've made the nipping press and the bench hook...both work perfectly for my needs. I hope the cleanup of your bindery is going well...I look forward to seeing more of your vids in the future.

[@gillramsay1112]

I have been so lucky and got a reconditioned press at a great price from eBay.I was sceptical but it makes such a difference to my work. Thank you for another great video 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@larisazambonekocic5529]

This is what I have been waiting for! Thank you, thank you! Also, I appreciate the fact that you hated your home made finishing press, so relatable.

[@LateBloomor]

I will try making this and have Home Depot cut everything at the store for me. :) Thank you for the detailed instructions. This is one of the cheapest and easiest design I've seen.

[@MichaelRpdx]

this is a great upgrade from the "two boards with wing nuts in the corners" like I heard about and made. I think I have everything on hand to build this. Thank You for the pointer.

[@jaime922]

I love this design, I’m halfway through making it. I went straight to Bunnings after watching this. Thank you for sharing, nice to hear another Aussie on KZbin. I’m in Melbourne

[@PauloNeuenschwander]

Very nice design. Simple and effective! I'll build one of this myself. Thanks for sharing this project!!!

[@beezl3bub]

Simple and easy to replicate: I have similar simple tools to accomplish the same. Thanks!

[@CocainTrain09]

Just saw this vid yesterday, I made a similar one forty years ago when I started kitchen table book repair. I used the illustration in Cockerell's book and instead of using four individual feet I screwed and glued two pieces of 2 by 2 along the edges of the hardwood board I used as a base. Not that it matters but I thought it might make the board stiffer. I then had a nipping press of sorts but still lacked a lying-in, backing and finishing press. I finally figured out that if I flipped the press up with the clamp bottom most and made a gig to hold it in place the table I could use it to fulfill all the duties of a press. You are a decent wood worker and should have no bother in working out a jig to do this. Mine was just a piece of plywood and a few strips of hardwood to create slots. It really is simple to use, esp. when backing a book. You put the book in the nipping press with the backing boards set to exactly where you want them and then tighten up the clamp. Then simply flip the press back and set in in the holding jig and you are off to the races.It was surprisingly sturdy and I could hammer away at it while backing My old one is long gone but I went to my woodshed and knocked up a complete rig in about an hour.It still works really well. Wish I could send you a pic or two but I'm computer illiterate. Cheers and keep up the good work.

[@cuadernovolante]

THAAANKS!!! I'm learning a lot with your videos. A hug from Ecuador =)

[@haqqi36]

Thank you for the brilliant idea … I have constructed one which looks a bit different and is rather efficient

[@ThePhantazmya]

If I could click like on this video a million times I would. This is a way better design than that wingnut press everyone makes. *schedules trip to the hardware store

[@SilkandSlate]

Made my first press today, thank you from Utah for the tutorial!

[@TotalyOzzFan]

Finally a comprehensive and doable wood press! Thank you so so much for this, I've been looking for something like this!

[@OtterLakeFlutes]

Fantastic... I can't believe it. I'm so limited in my budget and here this shows something that turns on the lights in my attic and makes me realize I already have what I need. I'd made a jig for my bandsaw I don't use anymore and have a couple of large clamps. Thanks.

[@ginabisaillon2894]

you are reviving my interest in bookbinding! Thank you so very much.

[@dc-wp8oc]

Really appreciate this information. Since you have holes in your bench for clamps, why not simply make use of those devices for clamping books?

[@whonos]

Also, just what I done with my version of this was took a grinder to the rivet end of the clamp and then then was able to just drill the size hole for the bar itself as tou can take the bottom half of the clamp off. Rather cut in from the side. Not a huge issue, just as you mentioned it helps my OCD as it looks neater. 😅

[@Athergera]

Built one following this guide, works well, thank you.

[@ЕрёминаМастерская]

A very useful design for beginners. Thank you very much, especially for the subtitles in Russian. Sorry for the bad English, I'm writing to you via Google translate.

[@DASBookbinding]

Sorry if the subtitles are missing in recent videos. I need to work out why.

[@Made-to-Measure]

One thing that makes this setup a lot more comfortable: attaching a crank or lever to the handle. 4:00 Unevenness is easily solved though: one beam below and one beam on top and distribute the force in the center using threaded rods on the sides. The upper part of the board should be carried by the two screws so that it's raised along (easy access) and the screws should have cranks or levers. But I agree. 4 independent screws are not ideal. 5:40 Since I don't like putting holes into equipment if it's meant to be a makeshift solution until getting a steel press, I'd probably clamp the clamp on the bottom using a few pieces of wood.

[@cree_VI]

yesss, that home made press with 4 bolts is such a pain, but it helps when i need to trim edges. I put 2 short and 2 long bolts, that helps from sliding. I'm curious to try to make this one

[@sevimkos9724]

Thank you so much, this is brilliantly simple and practical solution.

[@o0OMacLovinO0o]

Hello! I just finished my own press using your guide, and it works pretty well! Thank you very much for all your help and shared wisdom!

[@TgWags69]

I just picked up an antique cast iron press at a tool store covered in green latex paint. I found one that looks like it on ebay listed as BH or B&H. Anyway I was wondering why it didn't open very far and was considering making some riser blocks to lift the beam up a little. I figured if it didn't close all the way it wouldn't matter because I could always shim it up with pressing boards. Thanks for the history lesson that it is actually a letter press.

[@DASBookbinding]

That is a common modification. DAS

[@fvernal]

Hace poco miré este video y era justo lo que necesitaba! Construimos la prensa con mi esposo y quedó excelente, muy práctica. Me facilita mucho el trabajo! Gracias por sus videos, me encantan y he aprendido mucho! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@DASBookbinding]

Wonderful to hear your press worked out well. Happy binding!

[@misaelhernandez9790]

amazing channel. hoping you start to post more often

[@frotz661]

I love this simplicity and effectiveness. Thanks for condemning those four-screw things. I guess I must be super OCD because I'd want to laminate multiple layers of plywood together to create a thick and heavy base.

[@DASBookbinding]

Since plywood is a laminate, you could just buy thicker plywood. 1 inch marine ply that size won't bend:)

[@marybarratt2649]

Tku for this information, I can now get hubby to make one for me. Im glad I saw this because I was going to get him to do the method with wing nuts!!!

[@celinavarchausky5333]

Thank you so much!! Everywhere I've gone, I've seen people recommend the bolt+wing nuts version, I had no idea it distributed uneven pressure! I'll be sure to follow your advice, thank you again!!

[@DASBookbinding]

You can get the pressure even but you have to do up four wignuts just right. Easier this way. DAS

[@greengohm]

This is brilliant! Thank you! I did create that awful version of the press with wing nuts and hated every minute of work with it. Thank you again for sharing this design with us!

[@daviddoyle9310]

Thanks for giving me this option. Didnt like the option of making a press using 4 bolts in each corner. I know nothing yet about book binding. But i think its impossible to get even pressure on a book using that device.

[@daveturnbull7221]

A nice simple design. I agree wholeheartedly with your comments on the 'wingnut' presses - I used to spend 90% of my time trying to get mine to work properly and never did. Currently I use a couple of 3/4in plywood boards and two 4kg weights. Much quicker and easier. One quick question for you on the subject of presses - roughly what sort of pressure should we be aiming for when we put books in a press?

[@DASBookbinding]

Good question. Pressure is force over an area. A small book needs less force to get the same pressure. You don’t want to flatten the grain of cloth or make an impression of the book block into the boards. In most cases a brick or 2 with pressing boards is enough. So not a lot usually. DAS

[@sandrajohnson9926]

This press is much like what is needed when clamping glued wood pieces together. Sandwich your project between 2 pieces of plywood & clamp with 2 or more wood clamps.

[@Misstucci]

Very good stuff. I’ve been bookbinding for a little while and I’m on the 2nd iteration of my DIY nipping press. Cardboard and liquor bottles -> boards & clamps. This will definitely be the design for my 3rd iteration. Cheers.

[@Misstucci]

Update: I'm the admin of a local bookbinders group and a property company posted they were liquidating a bookbinder. Got myself a nipping press similar to the ones on Talus for $200. A great day!

[@dimitris470]

Cool project! I am using 4x20mm MDF boards with 3 small clamps for my stuff. But I like how one clamp applies even pressure to the entire book. I am too lazy to add feet or cut the boards to allow clamping from the back though. And I like being able to easily dismantle everything and put them away since I don't have a lab

[@TheFatPriest]

Another very useful DAS Bookbinding video. Thanks for doing these. I was lucky enough to get hold of one just like on the front of the Cockerell book, made by "Russell Bookcrafts, Hitchin", who many years ago moved out of Hitchin and dropped the Bookcrafts bit and now concentrate on leather. I have no idea how old the thing is, but I love it for its antiqueyness.

[@WiseFlyAiDesign]

Lol, just got my wing nuts for homemade press while I look for better press, but this may be the next upgrade after.. lol, thank you and you make it look easy ;)

[@edwardgurney1694]

Where was this video when I was starting binding! I struggled through with one of the wingnut presses you mentioned for far too long before building a proper nipping press.

[@heidikarpa2278]

Fantastic! Than all you. I’m just starting out and this project fits my skill levels. What a great share. ☺️

[@wesandell]

Man, I wish you had made this video 8 years ago when I first began binding lol.

[@semperfidelis5979]

As it is, there is a problem with your press using a pine board for base: it will unavoidably crack after some time along the grain of the wood of the base. You must add underneath a couple of battens ( could also be pine ) at right angles to the grain. A bit of white glue and 4 screws will do for fixing them. Of course, if you choose to use plywood of the same thickness, no need for the battens.

[@DASBookbinding]

Good idea on the battens. I have made a few of these presses that I know have got a fair bit of use, and none have failed this way. The kiln dried pine doesn't seem like it will fail this way under the pressure I expect them to get used with. But it would still be a nice little bit of insurance. And I guess it depends on how the timber has been cut. Quarter sawn would be more susceptible. I have another idea in mind for an improvement also. Maybe a Mark II version in the future. Ta, DAS

[@johnmitchelljr]

Very well done. Thank you.

[@artsymargo]

QUESTION: I'm assembling the parts I need to made this press, so I've got a little time to contemplate its construction. Though you don't say so, I assume the pressing end of the clamp needs to be reasonably centered on the board. You don't mention how deep to cut the channel that will accept the F clamp in a proper orientation to its work. Please advise. From the very first time I saw the cutting board press idea, I thought, "Geez, that looks like a pain to get even pressure," so I never made one, and the wing nuts made my hands hurt just looking at them. I've been sufficing with boards and gallon jug weights, or various clamps, including Irwin F clamps! I got really excited seeing this design and immediately resolved to make it. My other desire is to make a sewing frame. Chris O. shows a simple design that I think I can combine with this F clamp press rather than needing to store two items. Thank you for ALL your very instructive videos! You do a great job at explaining things and your videos are also pleasing to watch and listen to. Nice job, DAS!

[@syedaamirhussain6111]

Impressed great work all the team 🎉❤

[@starvingartistscollective]

Very, very clever design!! Thank you!

[@JonnierAguirreV]

Excelente idea para quien inicia en la encuadernación y no dispone de mucho dinero para comprar las prensas !!!

[@robertphillips93]

Proof that Providence favors the bookbinding craft -- an aspirant can burn discarded wooden implements and still have a scrap pile! Thanks for an effective and simple example -- I'd only add a recommendation not to cheap out too much on the clamp . . . I got a good deal on a set of 3 a while back, and one of them won't hold a tightness sufficient for this use.

[@DASBookbinding]

Cheap ones won’t stay up by themselves either. DAS

[@brianhostak3961]

Nice job!! I need to make a small one. Will be a fun project. Thank you !!

[@HistoriaenCeluloide]

That's what I'm talking about thank you good gentleman🧐

[@anthonyfordyce5852]

very good very nice press

[@SirWhiteRabbit-gr5so]

My sister scrapped my mother's big cast iron 15x18 press when she cleaned-out the house. **grrrrr** My mother had it for decades. She used it for woodcuts and linoleum printing in art school.

[@DASBookbinding]

Sad sigh.....

[@neofliermike]

Wow! Thank you for this great idea! 👍👍

[@minutepress2629]

Great DIY press!

[@helenrushful]

I have recently taken up bookbinding, and love it. KZbin channels like yours have been invaluable to me. Yours is particularly impressive, as you are clearly a 'real' expert. As a pianist I also enjoy the Goldberg touch, I too find it relaxing. Ive mastered a lot of the projects on your channel but the thing I struggle with and have yet to find any tangible information on is printing/stamping titles onto book spines. Ok, ive seen all the 'gold tooling' things, which seem out of my reach in terms of financial outlay and set-up.... It seems to be a wild west of book-binding though. Ok. So covers are easy, I can make a lable either using a laser printer or a hot stamping machine and cut it out and stick it to my cover. But the spine (the only part of a book that remains permanently on display) is a different beast isnt it ? Its got to be readable from a reasonable distance, be more resilient to handling.....so just printing a lable and sticking it on the spine doesnt work (at least for me). The other problem is that even foil-stamping machines dont seem to have the space under them to accommodate a book casing so as to position the lettering onto the spine. So, am I doomed to have my beautifully made hard casings tarnished with stickers on the spine.....or is there a way to do this that I have yet to discover ?? I was considering buying some brass type off Etsy and an induction hob....(I think you used that in an earlier post?).... is this going to work with a type-holder designed for a foil press though ? I guess it would be great if you could do a video specifically on ways to get text on spines with a professional-looking finish, as I can see from various comments ive seen that this is an under-discussed topic. Thanks for reading this far ! :)

[@DASBookbinding]

Labels are a sort of complex question. The main problem is that most people don't like the answer. High quality titling is done with type - brass is best - and for cloth case bindings it should be done on the case before covering the book using a foiling press, and in the case of leather it is usual to use a press to make a leather label and apply to the spine. Hand tooling on cloth is next to impossible because you can't get enough pressure and the tool easily slips on the cloth, and hand tooling on leather is much harder than anyone expects. I used to try and do it, but I got so many crooked titles that I've mostly given up and just use labels. There are crafty options using those cut out machines but the results are not to the standard that I would use them. But for many people they are fine. I love paper labels and they are very traditional. They have been used in traditional bookbinding forever.

[@helenrushful]

@@DASBookbinding thanks so much for your insight. You are right, I didn’t like the answer :) but it’s good to have clarity. Up until now I’ve laser printed my labels onto a different colour cloth to the cover and pasted them on, which does look good, but I recently purchased a set of brass letters which I’m going to attempt to foil-press the spines after covering, but before fixing to the text block. ….. using an iron to heat it, and a laser temperature gauge……..wish me luck ! ;)

[@Nanakinsz]

WOW! Thank you ever so much!

[@mfmmfm3978]

nice think master

[@CassienneK]

Thanks! I was just about to attempt something like this myself, so have a design to work with is fantastic! One question: is that single small clamp strong enough to really press the book? Would it be better to have two clamps, on on each side (or end)? Also: it is necessary to fix the clamp to the bottom permanently? Could you just set up the hook and backing boards and then just put the clamp on afterwards? Or better would be to somehow attatch it but not permanently. Hm.

[@DASBookbinding]

Yes, one is fine. It's more about how stiff the boards are. That clamp can exert a lot of force. For most modern hobby binding the weight of a brick will do. Those metal presses everyone wants as a nipping press can exert much too much force. They weren't designed for bookbinding, but copying. But since they are now exclusively used for binding, everyone thinks they need a press this powerful.

[@fearlessfruit834]

I cracked up when you said you burned your homemade finishing press haha!

[@DASBookbinding]

I sort of wish I hadn’t now:(. DAS

[@digitalpainterLAB]

Very good! Thanks for sharing.

[@pedrop.7046]

Lovely

[@madamsloth]

Thank you! This looks amazing

[@KagedBooks]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@jonahwoodstock818]

such a good design!!!

[@Leo1406hongkong]

brilliant!

[@dexterdragons]

Thank you!

[@Twenty20thrive]

That's really nifty!

[@ma.elenabenavides996]

gracias, excelente video

[@maureenpratley7732]

do you have a video on how to make a book plow

[@DASBookbinding]

I have a video on how to use a wood chisel like a plough. It's called "cutting the edge without...". The without is referring to a guillotine or plough.

[@susan3156]

I have a hydraulic press on a bench which I’ve used for cutting metal shapes, I’m wondering if this would work?

[@DASBookbinding]

Sounds a bit overkill.....

[@belindaneedham4182]

Hello. I just about have all my supplies to make this but I was wondering… what is best to use for pressing boards? Thank you!

[@DASBookbinding]

I sell pressing boards I make with marine grade ply. It's very strong and flat and moisture shouldn't cause the internal glue to fail.

[@CaptainJimHammond]

I Love this!!!

[@TheCreativitySquirrel]

Thanks for another great video! I really want to make one of these. Unfortunately I'm stuck using the one you don't recommend because I don't have the equipment to make one of these. Unless there's someone in OZ who wanted to make me one! 🤭🤭🤭🤭

[@DASBookbinding]

Do you want to buy the one from the video? Send me an email if you're interested [e-mail] Let me know your postcode is so I can give you a quote for postage. Yours, Darryn

[@TheCreativitySquirrel]

@@DASBookbinding thank you so much! Email sent.

[@TheCreativitySquirrel]

This has been a game changer for me. So much easier to press books!

[@OccultDemonCassette]

I kneww I could just use some of the clamps I already had.

[@whonos]

Bunnings! ❤

[@elianepereiradasilva4928]

Sensacional !!! 👏 👏👏👏👏

[@Medina_Y2K]

But do you really get a good press across the paper?

[@DASBookbinding]

Using a solid piece of wood, yes.

[@Medina_Y2K]

@@DASBookbinding Can't wait to try this out.

[@lisajarvis3820]

OMG ~ DUMMY HERE 🤦🏾‍♀️ just went and did what you said NOT to do and WHY NOT TO DO IT ~ I purchased a four corner screw book binding press a couple months back ~ AND YES I HAVE HAD ALL THE PROBLEMS YOU STATED 🤦🏾‍♀️ ~ WHY OH WHY DID I NOT COME HERE FIRST 🤦🏾‍♀️ ~ 🤣 THAT WILL TEACH ME!! WELL ~ GEUSS WHAT I’M GOING TO BE DOING TODAY 🤣!!

[@DASBookbinding]

Sorry, I should have made the video sooner:). DAS

[@guytrout7101]

Well done. Videos like this works well.

[@FireheadLazzo]

4:26 - Well you made it sound cool! Now I just want a workshop full of steampunk-looking tools.

[@dtpostel]

👍👍👍

[@thinkingahead6750]

A good source of wooden boards is chopping boards from the kitchen department of the supermarket.

[@arunavel0211]

Modern scientist

[@user-or4ru1sc6p]

hey mister , can you make a book with batik cover please ? :)

[@DASBookbinding]

Have a look at my videos on making bookcloth and then use it any book design. Sorry, it's a not a material I have easy access to or have ever used. DAS

[@user-or4ru1sc6p]

@@DASBookbinding ok , thx Mister DAS :)

[@Turgon92]

"Two pieces of wood with bolts and wingnuts in the corners. I recommend you avoid this one" *peaks at homemade press with boards and bolts* Shit

[@KestralWolfe]

Haha, same.

[@Turgon92]

@@KestralWolfe and ive run to all of the problems mentioned :P