DIY Bookbinding: Quick and Affordable Finishing Press Build

[@srsssssssss]

This channel is what inspired me to finally begin my book binding journey! This video is another masterpiece, and I’m so thankful :)

[@ingeniusdesigns]

That makes me so happy to hear! I hope you're enjoying your new hobby! It's kind of addictive...

[@c.morgan722]

I just realized that I never thanked you for this great idea. I passed your video on to a friend who is a carpenter and he made this for me. It's one of my most useful bookbinding toys.

[@kriscook2423]

I am going to make one of these. Thank you for making a tutorial and keeping it simple for people who don't have a way to acquire special tools. Martina from NerdForge needs to see this. She's always making leather bound books.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

For any viewer of NerdForge to suggest that she should watch one of my little videos is quite the compliment! Thanks and I hope your press turns out well!

[@enriquehidalgo1825]

You explain and demostraste as a true teacher. Your videos are fantastic. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you so much for your kindness. I'm so glad the instructions were clear for you. I'll try to keep bringing you more valuable content in the future!

[@Nanakinsz]

Thanks ever so much for this! I beamed it to my son in law, who made it for me! SQUEAL!!!!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Wonderful! So glad that worked out for you so fast.

[@yakumorisuke9403]

This is amazing!! I've been watching bookbinders with finishing presses with green eyes over the past year or so, and never imagined I might actually be able to make one! Thank you so much!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Wow I'm so glad this simple tutorial could be so empowering! Good luck with your build and with the many books to come!

[@custerranch]

Thank you!! The screws and cord for holding the ribs while they dry was an unexpected bonus, and genius!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy building it!

[@custerranch]

@@ingeniusdesigns Finally starting on my new Bible rebinding attempt. My husband watched your video and made me a press like yours yesterday. Now I'm running out of excuses to make the first cut! Planning to make a video of my Bible rebinding, and would like to include a link to your video in the description, and giving you credit for the design if you're okay with it.

[@vintonjarvis7290]

Thanks for finally making this video. Now I can rebind my copy of Eragon in leather

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I appreciate your patience! Glad it was what you needed.

[@Mightyjordy]

Ok everyone, i just finished making one and a few inportant things: 1) the eye bolts are going to be way too short at 6 inches long if youre making any kind of fantasy book. When considering the wood is 2 inches each and then adding the thickness of the washers and wing nuts, you'll have a little over an inch to work with. I'd recommend 8 inch eye bolts at minimum, maybe even 10 inch if you're doing some chonky fantasy books. In the video, measuring the wood, his actually look like 8 inch eye bolts. 2) the prices for these have gone up quite a bit, so i spent about $40-50 getting the barebones materials listed here 3) Home depot will only cut the wood into pieces, they wont do the angle cut. I managed to get a neighbor to help, but that was the biggest choke hold for me on the project. Also i invested in an electric palm sander for $20 and a power drill for another $20, so those might be investments too if you cant borrow them. The sander i think was essential based on the amount of time it took (about 2 hours with the electric one)

[@blazebi47]

Thank you for the extra added tips...quick question though: in your opinion, are the angle cuts necessary? I've seen others, including a photo of the one in this video that doesn't have angle cuts?

[@Mightyjordy]

@blazebi47 so I'm obviously not an expert with this, but I think the angle cuts specifically are for those nubs on the spine. If you're not doing those, I don't think you need them. Without them though, the leather cords won't quite get all the way in to press into the nubs

[@_.Sparky._]

Great video Austin! Very clear, informative and entertaining

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! I hope you can try it yourself!

[@stevelapierre4776]

THANK YOU... finally found a video that shows and how to make your book press... love it and will try it soon... Thank you again... Love the humor too.!!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

So glad this was what you needed. It surprises me that there weren't other tutorials out there for you already. Didn't realize I was filling a unique niche!

[@stevelapierre4776]

@@ingeniusdesigns Yes, thank you for a simple but useful design and how to make it, I make many things and started book binding and In you videos I have seen that book press and well done too, love you books and now I will make a press like yours .. Yes many for making books but for presses not much so thank you again..😊

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Let me know if you come across any more underserved topics!

[@stevelapierre4776]

@@ingeniusdesigns I will indeed, thank you...😊

[@dalepres1]

I'm with you, Steve. This was very helpful. I had no idea why the angles on the finishing press were the way they were; every video I watched didn't take advantage of them - I obviously hadn't watched a video of tying up a spine for gluing. Also, I wondered why so many finishing presses have all the dowel pins. It seems that so many experts just assume you know what they know, even when teaching. Ingenius Designs' videos are always helpful.

[@mangories1999]

Thank you so much! I was recently able to bind my favorite fanfiction (708 pages) thanks to your tutorials and it fits well into my growing leatherbound collection! Will definitely try to make this press as I'm hoping to bind my Dune paperbacks in the near future!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Wow! There's nothing more gratifying for me on this channel than to know that you were able to do it yourself. Thanks so much for letting me know! Good luck with Dune and many more volumes to come!

[@Rainjojo]

I’m going to bind a fanfiction too, omg

[@desireebeaton4737]

I made one today. Thank you for your amazing videos! I require you to make more hahahaha Your videos are clear and have excellent instructions. Again thank you kindly

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the reminder; more videos are on the way slowly but surely. So I guess I'd better require you to subscribe so you won't miss them!

[@desireebeaton4737]

@@ingeniusdesigns ....I already have... o.0

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Awesome!

[@SOTOOfresh]

perfect video! short, sweet, and informative. thank you!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm still figuring out my own video style, so it's always helpful to know what clicks with people.

[@mari7639]

You’re so generous for sharing this information!! My books and I thank you ☺️

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks so much! It's a pretty straightforward build, so I hope it goes well for you!

[@DadziaJax]

Thanks for this. My apartments have climate controlled storage units, and I am building a bookbinding workshop in mine. Well done, I Will absolutely be making this.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

So glad to hear it! Good luck and happy bookbinding!

[@fracturedphalanx3590]

Thank you! Your channel is literally the best!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I really appreciate the positive feedback! I'll do my best to live up to it.

[@daneryta]

This is an amazing work, love it! Thank you so much for your help as always, I’m so proud of you !💕❤️

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you so much! It is truly my pleasure, and it's only thanks to your support that I can make these videos.

[@abbye.9595]

Sending this too my dad right now.......

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I guess he's the guy with the wood shop! Projects are so fun when you can share them with others!

[@mantismakes]

Not sure if it's been said but at 1:22, I believe he meant to say "eyebolts 3/8" x 8" long". The six inch ones I have work for the book I'm doing now but I'll have to upgrade if I want to bind anything bigger than about an inch thick. Love the tutorials! I have a sneaking suspicion I'll be making some awesome Christmas presents this year lol!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Ooh, good catch! The eyebolts I used are actually 12 inches long. I must have had a typo in my script and let it get all the way to publishing. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

[@kevinorr6880]

I know my response is dated, but very well done. I have interest in making a quality book press also. I’d love a cast metal one, but that is beyond my capabilities. Thank you.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I'd love to make a cast iron book press too, but alas, it is beyond my capabilities too...for now. Someday.... Someday...

[@michaeljungbauer9567]

Can you show us how you decorate the cover? Like the books name and ornaments etc how do you get it on there ?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I usually decorate the covers with vinyl. Here are some links to videos I've made on designing and applying the art: Designing the art: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpbcc5h-q9GMlbs&ab_channel=IngeniusDesigns Applying the art: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maGthHSpfLqVnZI&ab_channel=IngeniusDesigns I'm also working on a video on ways to do your cover art with more traditional methods. Hopefully I'll be able to get that out in the next month or two!

[@michaeljungbauer9567]

@@ingeniusdesigns thank you! You inspired me to gift a selfmade book to my girlfriend this Christmas. She really do love leatherbound books!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Awesome! I'm sure she'll love that, especially with the personal handmade touch.

[@tacticalleather766]

Great job !

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks! I hope you can try it too!

[@danas986]

That's really awesome, thank you! I'm just starting out so mine will probably look like your second example. :D In my country, most, if not all big chain hardware stores either offer to rent tools or will cut wood to the size you need either for free or totally inexpensive for this project. :)

[@ingeniusdesigns]

That's great! If you don't need to have the tools then this project will be much easier!

[@Amanda.Jayne.]

Super useful and awesome video! Thanks for this ❤

[@ingeniusdesigns]

My pleasure! I hope your new tool is helpful!

[@ImperialistRunningDo]

I often have people tell me "if only I had the money to buy woodworking tools, and space to put them." I don't think I own any power tools, except for a cordless drill. I do my woodworking at the local senior center or at the University shop. Folks, there's places to go where you can rent time in a shop with whatever you need: table saws, drill presses, sanders, what have you. There might be a half-empty can of wood finish you can make use of. Costs me about $5 a day. This project can be done in a day. Two at most. Just be sure you have all the materials you need in hand, and a good plan drawn up.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the tip for the community! Before I had power tools I would always just go to the shop of a friend who was a woodworker. People are often happy to share their hobbies, so if you know someone then they would probably love to help you. And you're right. This simple project really can be done in as little as an hour or two.

[@spilsburya]

Hi, Austin! I wanted to thank you for your excellent videos about bookbinding. I started this new hobby because of them! I did have one question tho. Why does the finishing press have to be beveled? I have seen some with and without the bevel.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

So glad to hear that these videos helped you start! The short answer to your question is that the press doesn't actually have to be beveled. I just like it that way because it allows the string to pull from a more acute angle, which I think makes the shape of the book hubs marginally prettier. There are advantages to having no bevel as well, such as being able to use the same finishing press with a book plough to trim page edges. I guess it's just personal preference.

[@maxl5222]

Very Great channel, would you be able to make a video about all the tools needed for your work ? Jewelry pliers, cords, type of papers, cardboards you use... It would be very helpful ! Thanks

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the tip! I've been reticent to get into the nitty gritty of what I use lest people think I'm implying that there's only one right way to do things. One of my hopes for these videos is that the hobbies will feel approachable even if you don't have exactly what I do. Nevertheless, if you're curious I could definitely put something like that together in the future. In the meantime, I have listed several of the less common supplies I use in the description of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maGthHSpfLqVnZI&ab_channel=IngeniusDesigns Hopefully that can serve as a decent starting point for you!

[@maxl5222]

Thanks ! I know there is the way of the master for the book binding but I don't feel following it. Your videos are way more easy to follow and I think following your advices regarding the use of tools is a great start to easy book binding !

[@vantasiascauldron1861]

Thank you so much. ❤

[@ingeniusdesigns]

My pleasure! Hope it helps!

[@matthewclark944]

Love this content, much appreciated 🙏

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm really glad you enjoyed it.

[@ImperialistRunningDo]

If you screwed strips of metal (brass?) To the angled part, this clamp could also be used for rounding and backing.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

That's a good idea for a simple upgrade! I like the way you think!

[@jaime922]

Fantastic tool, thanks for sharing. .

[@ingeniusdesigns]

My pleasure! Thanks for tuning in!

[@koalafan1576]

The flat tool you use for making the bumps perfect on the spine, what is it called? I can’t buy one if I don’t even know Walmart it’s called to research where to buy it.

[@shibutoibades]

awesome and entertaining too!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Glad you enjoyed it! I get a kick out of throwing gags in.

[@barnoldswickgospelmission9064]

Thank you. Really helpful. God bless

[@ingeniusdesigns]

So glad it was helpful for you! Hopefully the tool will be equally helpful in your hands.

[@michaeldonoghue9015]

I suppose you could use this to do a double fan adhesive binding as well

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Yeah, depending on the size of the book this press could work for that purpose for sure.

[@OtterLakeFlutes]

Wow I didn't know about the bands or straps to hug the bumpers... I have a paid tutorial that doesn't even do that but implementing it is obviously advisable. He just was using PVA with tack and using tools to press it in a couple of times. Thanks

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you for your kind compliments! If there are any other topics which haven't been covered by your other tutorials let me know and maybe I can do something to fill the gap.

[@hungry_bug3641]

Could you make a tutorial for the rubber band version?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

It's pretty much what it looks like - put the book between two blocks of wood and then put rubber bands on either side of the raised bands on the spine while the glue dries. If I make another quick tips/hacks video in the future though, I'll try to include this topic in it!

[@diannebennett8200]

YOU sir are awesome!!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Thank you very much! I appreciate the subscription too.

[@exitobrujil]

Very useful thanks so much!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

So glad the video came in handy for you. Have fun binding!

[@appleslions4934]

Ahhhhhh THANK YOU!!!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

My pleasure. Happy to have such enthusiastic support!

[@Iwannarox]

I don't own any saws because I'm p sure I'll cut off a digit, but I do own a CNC router... Wonder if I can figure something out with that

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Wow, with a CNC router I bet you could make something far cooler than I have. This project is so flexible that I think doing things differently wouldn't affect the function much.

[@leandrocampos6292]

se puede hacer igual con cuero sintético? Se me hace difícil conseguir cuero real

[@ingeniusdesigns]

El cuero sintetico puede funcionar bien, si es lo suficientemente delgado y se estira como cuero real. te recomiendo revisar este tutorial que publique en el que hablo de como elegir el cuero. Si el cuero sintetico que encuentras tiene las mismas propiedades o caracteristicas que explico, funcionaria bien. Aqui esta el link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4XJoZ2ph5p_mNk

[@leandrocampos6292]

@@ingeniusdesigns Muchas gracias!

[@ionascucornel4560]

Hello Austin, Im a beginer bookbinder and I discovered you today and of course I subscribed to your channel. This tutorial was extremely useful for me. But also need a Finishing Press and Plough. Kindly ask, have you any design plans of these plough? I wanna try to make one for my bookbind projects. I found some offers, but the prices are very high. Thats why I should try to make one. If you can give me any help with this, I will be grateful. Thanks. P.S. I have some tools for gilding and some projects finished. I can show you on email

[@ingeniusdesigns]

That's really cool! I've considered trying to invent a homemade plough to save myself time and money. My current sanding method is admittedly pretty tedious. I appreciate the suggestion because I love challenges like that! Thanks for the subscription too; that means a lot. I really need to set up a channel email so I can see people's projects! I'd love to do a reaction or feedback video some time for the awesome art that people seem to be making!

[@ionascucornel4560]

@@ingeniusdesigns 😀 Many thanks for your answer. Looking forward to your channel email to discover ,both, new things.We can share a lot from our experience.

[@astropgn]

Is it safe to use gloves while using rotatory tools? I wouldn't want to be the person where the fabric of the glove gets hooked into a high speed rotor with huge torque

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Great question! If I'm being perfectly honest, I don't usually wear gloves for those kind of operations, but I figured I'd get more flack from the comments section if I didn't wear them than if I did!

[@victormarukhin]

Thank you! It's perfect)

[@ingeniusdesigns]

You're welcome! I'm so glad this simple video could help!

[@grimnaw971]

Where you you get your leather from?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

I actually just released a video on this very topic! Give it a watch and let me know if you have any more questions! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4XJoZ2ph5p_mNk

[@artgoyle]

Cool project, now I just need a saw and drill...

[@63dragnstr]

There is no flat section for trimming a text block

[@ingeniusdesigns]

That's true, but there are a few reasons why I judged that unnecessary. In the first place, this design cannot easily tighten around the text block enough for gilding, so there's no reason to trim in this press if I'm not going to gild there. Also, those who need to make their own affordable finishing press (like me) probably don't have a book plough anyway, so they'll need a different setup. Third, this budget press is too small vertically for many sizes of book, so it would only work to trim the smallest volumes. And finally, if one really did want to use this press to trim a small book, it could be flipped upside down and the flat side on the bottom could be used. Long story short, it's not a professional bookbinder's tool, but it does one thing pretty well on a budget, and I'm happy with that!

[@mikorey2917]

😍😍😍

[@ingeniusdesigns]

So glad you liked this project. It's really easy and I hope you can try it yourself!

[@printyourimaginationspw8261]

😂rubber bands in the end😅

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Just keeping things practical!

[@jkotarsky]

I can't afford a $100 finishing press but I have an $800 miter saw, a $500 table saw, and a $1000 drill press. haha. I can do this!

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Hilarious! But I'm in exactly the same boat. Of course, it could all be done with hand tools too, but I didn't want to take the time to film it that way.

[@jkotarsky]

@@ingeniusdesigns You are doing good work. Love it. And I'm glad you got my jest. Very cool, thanks for the reply. Oh, I really do have those tools though.

[@seandolan8502]

You left out the cost of a table saw, stain, gloves , ruler, drill and clamps…wtf ?

[@ingeniusdesigns]

Ha! Not a bad point. I did stick to consumables in the pricetag, because I already had the tools on hand. This all could have been done with hand tools as well, of course, but showing it with the power tools made for a more straightforward tutorial.

[@pkchutrainer]

It hurts my soul watching somebody use gloves with power tools. For anybody reading this comment, please don't. That's a sure way to make a small cut into the loss of a finger or worse.

[@ingeniusdesigns]

That's a very fair point. I don't normally do that but I was trying to respond to comments asking me to wear more PPE in my videos. It felt disingenuous do demonstrate a technique different from what I normally do, though, so I've reverted to just showing how I normally make things in other videos.

[@mostlyghostey]

Can I ask is that because you have less dexterity in your hands when you wear gloves or is it a matter of the fabric getting caught and pulling you in? Can you wear nitrile/rubber gloves?

[@JPeeee]

​@@mostlyghosteyI think youre right in both your guesses

[@Unpainted_Huffhines]

​@@mostlyghostey both