Dryad Junior Book Plough Rescue // Adventures in Bookbinding

[@carlpeberdy9086]

Very nice - looks like it shouldn't be too hard to copy either, I might well have a go. I'm using an old plane iron at the moment, but I like the idea of it being two-handed and resting on two surfaces, in theory it should be less likely to mess up.

[@batchrocketproject4720]

The comment about the standing press being "rubbish - don't buy it" reminds me of falling victim to a similar ruse years ago on a walking trip. We'd stopped by an outdoor-wear shop and I was rummaging through the "last one" box of discontinued hats, trying on likely candidates. I'd found a favourite but my friend mentioned there might be better so I continued looking. A few hats later he cried "that's the one, it really suits you". Not used to being praised for my fashion choices, I bought that one. Of course, later on the trip I saw that friend wearing the fine hat I had passed over for the "fashionable" one.

[@odysseus93]

As always, a joy to watch. I did have a question though. You had mentioned that you found the standing press to be 'Rubbish'. If you had the opportunity, what would you change about the design? Thanks! Never stop....

[@robertcole3823]

Darryn, I just wanted to thank you for this. I was designing a book plough to build, and when I saw this I devised a way to build one and modify my press to work with this plough. A few hours later, and I had an amazing plough made from a piece of Maple and a block plane blade. Thank you so much for the videos you post. I've learned so much from them. Curious though, do you ever case bound leather books? And, if not, why?

[@DASBookbinding]

No, maybe a small handful of leather case bindings. Because I think leather is easiest applied in-boards. The few times I used leather for 1/4 bindings I treated it like bookcloth and used PVA for adhesive. Couldn't really form headcaps and corners. Just didn't feel satisfying. Maybe I just need someone to teach me how:) DAS

[@robertcole3823]

@@DASBookbinding Interesting. And yes, we all need a teacher, lol... Keep up the great work.

[@splatapple]

I have been watching quite a few book binding videos of late. I keep coming back to you Sir. Very few match your content. I really appreciate and value the knowledge you share with us. Thanks man.

[@GabrielMartins-fm9tx]

Essa versão não parece muito pratica, mas ainda sim parece ser tão legal, irei começar meu próprio negócio na area da encadernação e quanto mais eu pesquiso sobre mais me apaixono, infelizmente aqui no Brasil não se acha mais esse tipo de equipamento, apenas os modernos, e por mais que ainda seja o mesmo trabalho, acho que perde um pouco do brilho, pois para mim cada livro é uma arte que demanda tempo e atenção

[@ronkelley5348]

I attended my first bookbinding course last week and we were discussing the Dryad standing presses - we had two to use

[@acel.spades7834]

Could you by chance give me the dimensions of that blade? I have a some experience in blacksmithing and in woodworking and I could probably build something very similar to this tool.

[@leatheraccessories646]

what I have is 1.5 centimeters wide, 4 millimeters thick and 10 centimeters long, it works perfectly , it's not Junior, it's made at home from tool steel disc, granite cutting disc

[@DASBookbinding]

About an inch wide and 4 inches long. I'll measure it when I'm in the bindery next and edit this response if it's significantly different. DAS

[@DASBookbinding]

Finally remembered to do this. Sorry it took awhile. Put the photos in my blog. dasbookbinding.com/2021/07/30/dryad-junior-book-plough/

[@acel.spades7834]

@@DASBookbinding thank you for letting me know. I'm going to try to make some of these.

[@batchrocketproject4720]

Did you make one? If so what starting steel did you settle on? I'm thinking of making a version based on a blade similar to the French knife with the wide curved blade used in an earlier video of trimming without a plough. I intend to use a block plane blade, re-ground to put a curve in it. Replacement block plane blades take a decent edge and are cheap to buy new.

[@carlpeberdy9086]

I found this mention of the Dryad junior plough - they were unimpressed! It's unused and the blade comes to a sharp vee point, which seems to have been softened in Darryn's example. jeffpeachey.com/2010/11/03/the-weirdest-plough-ever/

[@2103Chatto]

Another great video, Darryn. I was very lucky to pick up that Dryad standing press a couple of years ago on Ebay for c.£90 - in perfect working order! Hope you find one soon! Edit: typed the preceeding comment before your joke at the end! 🤣

[@mfmmfm3978]

your videoes always useful sir

[@martinnyberg9295]

10:05 😂😂😂

[@nigelgordon]

Darryn, next time one of the Dryad Standing Presses comes up ion one of our auctions of bookbinding equipment I will let you know.

[@DASBookbinding]

Thanks!! DAS

[@samuelbarber6585]

I just got a press designed just like the standing Dryad, minus the logo. It was used in a local public library and looks to be 70s-80s. Working to restore it and can get into the trade!

[@graciouscompetentdwarfrabbit]

3:51 Did you scan that or is it a pre-existing pdf? If the latter, could you share it?

[@DASBookbinding]

No I just scanned those couple of pages. The Dryad company still exists in some form I believe. I don't want to get into trouble with them. DAS

[@Leo1406hongkong]

Brilliant! Always it is good to learn from the pass. Thank you.

[@becm9073]

Will a wood plane (used for wood work) work?

[@DASBookbinding]

I assume it won't otherwise it would have been used in the past. But I've never tried. My guess is that it will tear out. Plus I'm not sure how you control reaching the line you want. Few other issues bring to mind, especially around rough edges. But I think you should give it a go and let us know how it works. In medieval times they sometimes used a drawknife the trim the edges of books. DAS

[@Aisjam]

I have been kitting out my wood working tools for print making. Super tempted to get a wood tap and die then ask you for a lot of measurements :).

[@DASBookbinding]

I tried that myself years ago. Most of the commercial available ones are too fine. But fun trying. DAS

[@Ahleen0]

From where did you get the green board which you are cutting on pls the link

[@nashvillain171]

أهلًا وسهلًا بك

[@paulmace7910]

Cool tool. I wish they still made quality tools like this today.

[@leatheraccessories646]

$ 235.00 for a knife you can make from a wood cutting disc and alone at home? I find it absurdly expensive

[@DASBookbinding]

I assume you mean the Peachey knife. Having made my own tools for many years I know there is a lot of work goes into Jeff's knives to reach the quality he produces. He is making these as a living. He has also put a lot of work into researching the designs. He doesn't use found materials, he uses new high quality modern tool steels. I think they are good value. If you have the tools, skills and materials then making your own makes sense and will provide a lot of satisfaction. If you copy Jeff's design then you should at least buy him a beer. Good luck! DAS

[@daveturnbull7221]

@@DASBookbinding Living on a very tight budget I often have to try and come up with cheaper alternatives for tools but I have a great respect for people like Jeff who have put a lot of time and effort into designing the tools they make and sell. Any time I've had a go at making my own version of something based on a design by somebody else I've always done my best to contact them beforehand and ask if it is ok to do so. Every time I've managed to make contact I've been told to go ahead and a few have even been willing to offer help and advice.

[@lillybell2472]

Very interesting. I had to watch the video 2 times because the first time I was fascinated by your bench clamp. I would love to see how the clamp was held down under the bench. Had to go back and listen to what you were saying about the tool 😆Thanks for sharing.

[@DASBookbinding]

Nothing except friction. It's a holdfast, specifically a Gramercy www.leevalley.com/en-gb/shop/tools/workshop/workbenches/benchtop-accessories/71363-gramercy-tools-holdfast

[@lillybell2472]

@@DASBookbinding fascinating. the website says that they are not available in my area. But I am sure I can have one made. Thank you for the info.

[@flatbrokefrank6482]

What press ? :-)

[@marcosver5497]

👏👏👏🇧🇷

[@iainmcculloch5807]

I just spotted one of those Dryad presses on eBay for £275. It's not cheap, but it is tempting.

[@carlpeberdy9086]

Surely there must be some mistake, according to the catalogue Derryn has, it's just over a tenner!

[@DASBookbinding]

I've seen these regularly sell for less than this on eBay UK. I don't think they're rare, except in Australia. I do find it interesting they seem to sell for less than an equivalent steel copy press. DAS

[@daveturnbull7221]

There is one currently listed on ebay uk with a starting price of £25. Last one I've been able to find that sold in the uk went for £35.

[@marcisaacs9407]

What was the cost of that little plow?

[@DASBookbinding]

Almost nothing if you manage to find one in a used store, otherwise priceless:) I think I paid $20. It's the only one I've seen in 30 years but I've been looking in Australia and the US, not the home of Dryad. DAS

[@marcisaacs9407]

@@DASBookbinding as strange as it may sound, I believe, with accurate plans , I can copy it. Things like blade width and thickness and length,width, space between the inner sides of the gap, a few photos on top of the grid cutting board and height from table surface to top of handle surface. Might take time but good planning is worth it. 🙏

[@marcisaacs9407]

What does the term “daylight “ refer to on the standing press?

[@graciouscompetentdwarfrabbit]

@@marcisaacs9407 It's its maximum "open height", i.e., the height you have in between the two planes when the press is fully "open"

[@marcisaacs9407]

@@graciouscompetentdwarfrabbit Thanks very much🙏

[@daveturnbull7221]

You are going to end up costing me a fortune Darryn 🤣 Just putting together an order for some of their leaflets on various stuff. Also sent you an email about the standing press. Both the plough and the press are very similar to ideas I am working on for myself. Good to see I'm thinking along workable lines.