How To Hollow Out A Book

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How To Hollow Out A Book To Make A Hollow Book Box
by Jennifer and Kitty O'Neil
Running With Sisters
Have you ever seen a hollowed out book? It's a great hiding place! Here's how you can make your own hollow book box to stash your treasures.
Hollowing out the book might seem daunting, but it's not that had. It just requires new, sharp X-Acto blades and patience. We can't be responsible for any injuries so please please please be careful with your X-Acto knife!
If you have any questions about the Hollow Book Box, just leave us a comment below and we'll reply. We’d love to help!
How To Hollow Out A Book To Make A Hollow Book Box
Materials & Tools
Hardback book, at least 1½” thick
Mod Podge Gloss
Craft paintbrush
Craft knife (like an X-Acto)
Ruler
Pencil
Steps
1. To carve the hole out of the inside of the book, you'll want to start by painting all the pages with glue to hold them together. You don't need to open every page and glue it. Just paint the outside edges of the book with Mod Podge. We think Mod Podge works great for this. And painting a coat on the outside edges of the hardback book will glue the pages together.
2. Once the Mod Podge has dried on the outside edges, you can mark the inside of the book where you want to cut the niche. Use the ruler to create pencil guidelines for your niche.
3. Next, use the craft knife and ruler to carefully cut through a few pages of the book. Rotate the book and cut through the next side of the niche - just a few pages. repeat until you can remove the first few pages of the book. Repeat making slow, careful cuts until you have removed all but the last 1/4" of pages.
4. Lastly, paint the inside of the hollow opening with Mod Podge. Coat the inside edges and the bottom. Let dry.
You could turn your hollow book box into a jewelry box or keep it looking like a hardback and stash goodies on the book shelf. Fun!
Happy Crafting!
Jennifer & Kitty
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[@phonebook45]

"You're not just going to chainsaw through the whole book at once" *puts down chainsaw*

[@TheONeilSisters]

Ha!

[@magicsaxakalouielouie8154]

I got the doom reference! Lol

[@Bsteiny42]

This is the first video in KZbin history that didn’t start out by saying….”Heeeey Guuuuys!” Love it. Thank you :))

[@TheONeilSisters]

Ha ha! You are welcome! Cheers, Jennifer & Kitty

[@kimiesor]

NOW I CAN HIDE ALL MY JAPANESE IMPORTED SNACKS FROM MY SISTERS YAYYYY

[@TheONeilSisters]

Nom nom nom! J&K

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

Everybody is talking about their drug paraphernalia and I just want to keep some of my Magic: the Gathering trading card game cards in my box. I found a cool fantasy style book with a fancy map on the front page. I might line it with torn up cards.

[@TheONeilSisters]

Yours sounds so fun! We keep jewelry in ours. J&K

[@remakergod6740]

I want to sell candy in mine 😂

[@ryangarvey8207]

me too lol

[@asuronkun95]

Learning how to hollow out spaces for D&D dice sets. Making it with leather belts across the cover to give it that ‘Spellbook’ aesthetic

[@rachelmarie1495]

@@unbruisable exactly what I’m doing 😭

[@WayneKerrr]

Wow. And here I almost spent $20 for a pre made one on Amazon. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@TheONeilSisters]

So glad we could help! J&K

[@marlyrodriguez8699]

You can also use the paper that you cut out to make a pinata

[@TheONeilSisters]

That's a fun tip! Thanks for sharing! J&K

[@dl8406]

Hahah that was my first thought too!

[@wbrehaut]

If you cut the pages so all the body text is on the cutout part, you can have the hollow book and still read it too!

[@mazovian6846]

“i like to cut towards myself” - genius

[@TheONeilSisters]

;)

[@charlenegriffis5900]

Thanks so much. I'm making one for my grandson. They need a place to hide their stash! Hahaha. I have it cut out, just finishing it up. Your video helped so much 😉

[@TheONeilSisters]

Ha ha! We use ours as a jewelry box. J&K

[@julianknopp4677]

You're a dope person for that, they'll appreciate it

[@lucaselijahakin8622]

Ur the coolest grandma in the world.

[@jazzmoos5382]

From what I’ve learned (having working in the printing industry cutting proofs for several years, AND cutting my own precise art matts) 👉 let the blade do the work. Less pressure - more repeated even cuts - and of course sharp blades. Patience will give better results.

[@TheONeilSisters]

Yes! Great tips! Thank you for sharing! J&K

[@nkbabyof3]

I so wish I had seen this before I made my first book. I didn't glue the pages together first and it took forever because I had to clamp the pages together to keep it from bending the spine. Thank you!

[@TheONeilSisters]

Glad we could help. Well, at least for next time! J&K

[@girlgamerjade1422]

I loved watching and learning. Thank you for the tutorial! Looking forward to many more

[@TheONeilSisters]

Thanks for watching! J&K

[@rosshancocks]

Than you for the video. Exactly what I was looking for ❤️👍

[@TheONeilSisters]

Yay! So glad we could help! Cheers, Jennifer & Kitty

[@helengibson8196]

Great idea to mod podge the pages together the way you did it. Thank you

[@TheONeilSisters]

Thanks for watching Helen! J&K

[@sarojpandey4793]

Thank you, it really helped much more than any other tutorials on the same thing! Greatly explained!!

[@TheONeilSisters]

So glad we could help! Jennifer & Kitty

[@jan208]

I've got a book ready to do this, I've just got to order Mod Podge. But I'm going to leave a good few pages uncut at the beginning so if anyone opens it, it still looks like a book. Also, any rough edges inside, I will sandpaper smooth before sticking.

[@TheONeilSisters]

Great idea! J&K

[@rs4467]

This is so cool. I’m going to do this too!! Thanks

[@TheONeilSisters]

Thanks for watching! J&K

[@rafaycheema7643]

She really loves her exacto knife

[@TheONeilSisters]

Who doesn't?! Lol!

[@terrismith376]

Thanks so much guys love this vid starting on mine tonight 🤞

[@TheONeilSisters]

You're welcome! J&K

[@tigerdigs8228]

So happy I found you.

[@zaherjoban1494]

Thank you so much, it very simple way to make a lot of creative ideas

[@TheONeilSisters]

Thanks for watching! J&K

[@vikitaflaca5736]

Very good!

[@TheONeilSisters]

Thank you!

[@lunalight6732]

Good video. Thanks.

[@TheONeilSisters]

Thanks so much! Jennifer & Kitty

[@stormblaze_112]

i love this video. So helpful

[@TheONeilSisters]

Thanks so much! Jennifer & Kitty

[@zeliez3556]

Thanks for making this its really fun to do

[@TheONeilSisters]

Glad you liked it! Jennifer & Kitty

[@jazzmoos5382]

Thank you! Just what I was looking for. :)

[@TheONeilSisters]

So glad we could help! J&K

[@jorgebalbin3554]

Thanks! It helped a lot!

[@TheONeilSisters]

So glad we could help! J&K

[@Q8Patriot]

Thanks alot, this is super helpful

[@TheONeilSisters]

So glad we could help! J&K

[@amandaurbina7163]

Thank you very much for this!!!!

[@TheONeilSisters]

You're very welcome! Jennifer & Kitty

[@maxearly4338]

excellent video! thank you :)

[@TheONeilSisters]

Glad you liked it! J&K

[@ryansgirl2002]

Now I can hide my...my...my uhhh... Nevermind. I forgot: I have a kid and at this point have nothing left of my own TO HIDE. 👀

[@TheONeilSisters]

LOL! We use ours as a jewelry box. J&K

[@allanthompson9695]

Great ideas. I made a few as a child but didnt bother with the glue. I fancy making one now in my 60's but lining it like you suggested. Thanks.

[@TheONeilSisters]

It could be pretty to line it with velvet! J&K

[@oliviawa1000]

I know this video is a couple years old and you might not be looking at this thread anymore but if you are: are the dimensions you used for the box's "walls" crucial in any way? IE can i make them thinner without conprimising the structure of the box? I want to add as much space to the box as possible and i kind of want to cut the pages all the way through so you can see the book's inner cover at the bottom of the box. And btw! Thank you for the video! Its totally comprehensive without making it overly complicated or difficult to understand

[@TheONeilSisters]

We think you could make the walls thinner. Let us know how it works for you. J&K

[@raemaecable]

I want to give my husband a video game for Christmas and conceal it in a book. He reads too, but if I don't hide it well, he'll know exactly what I got him.

[@TheONeilSisters]

What a fun use for the hollow book! J&K

[@gouduhcheez]

Now I can hide my things in here without my mom snooping! 💋💋

[@TheONeilSisters]

Ha!

[@knIfebOmb769]

Here after completely obliterating this poor book on my first attempt. My first mistake was trying to do it with a circular saw. Seems some things just take time, there is no quick easy way to do it if you want it done right. Thanks for the tips.

[@TheONeilSisters]

Better luck with the next one! J&K

[@GregGuerraMusic]

Hello! I don't know if you'll see this on your old videos... But what kind of adhesive do I use to glue down a piece of velvet or felt inside my book box?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Great question Greg! We would use FabricTac or Aleen's Fabric Glue. Hope that helps! J&K

[@GregGuerraMusic]

@@TheONeilSisters definitely. Getting ready to start a project tonight

[@sebastiansebastian5270]

Can we use a box cutter to cut through the pages or does it work better with an exacto knife? Great video 👍

[@TheONeilSisters]

You can try a box cutter, but the handle might get in the way as you cut down deeper. Worth a try though! J&K

[@amelialeach9507]

I was gonna ask the same thing!!

[@TreeLynnT]

New subscriber here. Ty!

[@TheONeilSisters]

Thanks for subscribing! We have all our projects on our website too: RunningWithSisters.com Cheers, Jennifer & Kitty

[@TreeLynnT]

@@TheONeilSisters awesome! I'll check it out! 💝

[@stevecovert7158]

So I found this great huge dictionary for this. And I wasn't the cleanest or most patient with the knife but I don't want to just throw it away. Can I use a Dremel to clean up the inside?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Hmm...that might work. Perhaps you could get a book from the thrift store and test it on the sides of the pages to see what Dremel tool tip to try. Let us know if it works! J&K

[@kenlucas5849]

If you clamp the pages down, you can use a wood chisel to clean it up.

[@ouroboros6125]

Her: "This is not where you chainsaw through the whole book at once" Me: "Hold my beer..."

[@TheONeilSisters]

LOL!

[@JuanSSRi]

Nice, now that I have the hollow book, I just need some money to hide in it

[@TheONeilSisters]

Ha!

[@lanac8318]

how many minutes would be enough to dry the glue? can i re-apply?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Yes you can reapply the Mod Podge. How long it takes to dry depends on the humidity where you live. We usually let a project like this dry overnight. Here are the step by step instructions on our blog: runningwithsisters.com/how-to-turn-a-hollow-book-into-a-jewelry-box/ Hope that helps, J&K

[@kourtnyh]

Thanks Also, you can’t imagine how many books a wasted, but it was worth it lol

[@TheONeilSisters]

So glad you had success (finally)! Cheers, Jennifer & Kitty

[@jillianjohnson6595]

Sorry, did you glue the back pages to the back of the book? If so, what glue did you use?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Great question Jillian, We did not but you certainly can. We used E6000 as our glue. Here's the written how-to on our website: runningwithsisters.com/how-to-turn-a-hollow-book-into-a-jewelry-box/ Hope that helps! Jennifer & Kitty

[@carlaclark3167]

Me stupidly trying to glue each page together individually 😭 wish I watched this first

[@TheONeilSisters]

Ha! Better late than never! J&K

[@THAGAMBIT2424]

Is the glue a must have or can I cut the squares without it?

[@TheONeilSisters]

The glue really helps keep the pages together and makes the cutting much easier! J&K

[@thereserook7541]

Is it possible to do the lid about a quarter of the way into the book?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Sure. You can part the pages anywhere you like to make a portion part of the lid. J&K

[@ericgarcia2287]

I live in Cleveland Ohio, what are some old thick books you recommend to buy in order to make a beautiful secret stash book like yours?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Just check out a local thrift store and see what they have. Dictionaries work great! Good luck! J&K

[@kathleenbonner9398]

Try your local libraries. Readers who now may be using Kindle or prefer paperbacks are now donating LOTS of books to libraries, thinking the library can use or sell them in infrequent book sales. The libraries don't have room for these books, so unfortunately many/most get dumped.

[@TheONeilSisters]

Ooh great tip Kathleen! Thanks for sharing! J&K

[@SeymourKitty]

Can i glue the pages with regular Elmer's glue?

[@TheONeilSisters]

We haven't tried it using Elmer's but it's worth a shot! Let us know if it works! J&K

[@sasuona]

If you have a book with shiny edges and you want to keep it shiny what would be the best glue to use?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Are the edges metallic shiny or just glossy? The Mod Podge will leave a little shine. J&K

[@sasuona]

@@TheONeilSisters it's like a gold metallic shine

[@TheONeilSisters]

In that case, test the Mod Podge an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn't dull the metallic finish. Another option would be to go ahead and glue the sides with Mod Podge and then gold leaf the edges. Here's a video we made showing how to gold leaf: runningwithsisters.com/gold-leaf-101-how-to-gold-leaf-a-picture-frame/ Hope that helps! Jennifer & Kitty

[@madonnawayne4130]

This would solve my problem of stashing something, saying to myself, I'll remember exactly where I pit It! But months go by and I have no memory of where the heck I put my extra cash, special rings, earing to be fixed, etc. I once found 3 $100 dollar bills around a lamp harp, when I went to replace a burned out bulb. I had no memory of putting the cash there.

[@TheONeilSisters]

Lol, that's a great story! We use ours as a jewelry box. J&K

[@can23rob]

Would the mod poge affect the books that have that silver or gold shine on the edge of the pages?

[@TheONeilSisters]

No they still look nice and shiny in our experience!

[@jacobfederici3710]

For god sake issa sexy book dont use that one use a different one

[@jazzmoos5382]

It’s been ages since I’ve used Mod Podge. The bottle says it takes a month to cure. Does that mean it will be sticky for a while? I need this right away (making a gift) but am afraid of items sticking inside the book.

[@TheONeilSisters]

It should be dry to the touch within a few hours. Total curing time is longer. Cheers, Jennifer & Kitty

[@gracepayumo7]

And this is the story of why I’m currently sitting a book waiting for the glue to dry

[@TheONeilSisters]

Lol! J&K

[@jefftanya5444]

are the bottom pages glued to the book cover?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Great question. When we painted the outside egdes of the pages with Mod Podge it glued all the pages together and adhered the bottom ones to the back book cover. Here's the complete how-to on our blog: runningwithsisters.com/how-to-turn-a-hollow-book-into-a-jewelry-box/ Hope that helps! J&K

[@jvstvorothii]

i don't have any mod podge (they don't sell it where i live), can i use elmer's glue instead?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Mod Podge is a little different than Elmer's Glue, but some people use it as a substitute. Hope it works well for you! J&K

[@jvstvorothii]

@@TheONeilSisters okay, thanks

[@abov8030]

Hi! i am making one of these for my friend and i glued about 15 pages or so in the front so i could keep the front page art but now there is a huge crease that makes it almost impossible for the book to stay closed on its own. Is there any way I can get rid of the crease? Or is there an easy way to remove the glue to reglue it? PLEASE HELP!

[@TheONeilSisters]

So sorry that happened! One thing that sometimes works for wrinkles is to cut a slit lengthwise down the wrinkle with an X-acto blade so the edges can fold over each other and flatten out. Don't know if it will work with a crease. Hope that helps! J&K

[@notmuch_23]

If I do this, I may use tape so that when I'm done, I can remove it and it looks and acts like an actual book until you open it, and I can turn pages I've already cut.

[@TheONeilSisters]

Let us know how it works! J&K

[@salivababy2318]

i don't know what to put in here; just came b/c of a travel commercial about some boy sneaking his lizard onto a flight with a hollowed book.

[@TheONeilSisters]

That is so funny! J&K

[@DevilNeverKnows]

that's so clever

[@-pastaman-2284]

Would it be alright it I used Gloss Medium?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Yes, we think that should work. J&K

[@-pastaman-2284]

Thank you.

[@3dreevl601]

Can you use elmers glue instead of modge lodge

[@TheONeilSisters]

Great question! Mod Podge and other decoupage mediums are more than just adhesives. They also have ingredients to make them long lasting and seal the project. You could use glue and then p[perhaps add a sealer. Here's a little article we found about the topic. www.favecrafts.com/Techniques/Mod-Podge-vs-Glue Hope this helps! J&K

[@victoriapayton3447]

I planted mine with succulents

[@TheONeilSisters]

What a fun idea! Jennifer & Kitty

[@steff2667]

Should I glue the book first or cut the pages first?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Glue the outside edges first. Then do the cutting. Here's a complete written how-to on our blog: runningwithsisters.com/how-to-turn-a-hollow-book-into-a-jewelry-box/ J&K

[@almasakic1148]

Can you use tacky glue instead of Mod Podge?

[@TheONeilSisters]

We think that would probably work fine. We like the consistency of ModPodge because it is a little less viscous. Cheers, Jennifer & Kitty

[@moneyrundells9861]

Do you think I could use glue instead of mod podge?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Mod Podge is a lot like glue, but it is also a sealer. But you could try doing it with glue. Let us know if it works! J&K

[@jonathancortes3643]

Yes you can I’ve done it before

[@PaladinsLight]

thank u very much for the video, really helped alot tho i would have apricated a warning about the mess! lol

[@TheONeilSisters]

Thank you for watching! Sorry about the mess! Cheers, Jennifer & Kitty

[@alyssacolombo6360]

About how long does it take to dry?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Just a few hours. J&K

[@ToXicKush420]

I used an old bible for shots and giggles

[@TheONeilSisters]

Fun!

[@taffykins2745]

😞

[@patbertrand5513]

It might be better if you could tell us what Mod Podge is? Glue? Shellac?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Great question Pat! Mod Podge is a decoupage medium. W elike it because it is an all-in-one glue, sealer and finish. Some people substitute White Craft Glue. We can't say it works as well, but if you can't find Mod Podge it is worth a try! J&K

[@erikaa.2217]

How thick does the book need to be?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Ours was 1.5" thick. You can choose thicker or thinner. J&K

[@thebeast1699]

Would regular white glue work

[@TheONeilSisters]

We haven't tried it with regular white glue. Let us know if it works! J&K

[@poesiatododia8910]

I hope so, since mod podge in my country is SUPER expensive

[@SephTunes]

Making a Reagan Biography into a Stash box thanks

[@TheONeilSisters]

LOL!

[@adleylemon576]

Thank you this idea is brilliant! Now I can put my phone inside and start cheating!!! On my test

[@omgidontknow8502]

Slusher 7676 same hahahahha 😂😂

[@TheONeilSisters]

Lol, you can use it for anything you like. We use ours as a jewelry box. Here's the complete how to on our blog: runningwithsisters.com/how-to-turn-a-hollow-book-into-a-jewelry-box/ Cheers! Jennifer & Kitty

[@EonGaming4]

How can you have a book in front of you during a test?

[@ilcarrie215]

Can you do a tutorial for cutting out a heart in a book?

[@TheONeilSisters]

That sounds fun but it is hard to cut a curve with an X-Acto blade! Cheers, Jennifer & Kitty

[@genevievegeorgiades8002]

Is mod podge just pva?

[@TheONeilSisters]

PVA is white craft glue like Elmer's. Mod Podge is a more than PVA mixed with water, but some people use it as a substitute. Here's a description of the advantages of using real Mod Podge: modpodgerocksblog.com/you-shouldnt-make-mod-podge/ You can try PVA and see how it works. Let us know! J&K

[@I_cant_find_Sonam]

Can I use tape too cause I don’t have glue in my house 🏠

[@TheONeilSisters]

We don't think tape will work very well for this, but you could try! J&K

[@versacetae_3580]

You cant use glue instead of mod podge?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Mod Podge is like glue but it's a little different since it is also a sealer. But you could try doing this with glue. Let us know if it works! J&K

[@humdoor8988]

Can I use glue instead???

[@TheONeilSisters]

Glue can work as a substitute but is not as easy to paint on. Hope that helps, Jennifer & Kitty

[@babybird6378]

Can we use normal glue because i have NEVER herd of mod podge!?

[@TheONeilSisters]

Mod Podge is a decoupage medium. You can use any decoupage medium for this project. Most recipes for homemade decoupage medium call for 1 part white glue to 1 part water. (We have never made our own and cannot vouch for it.) Here's a post with a recipe: artfulparent.com/2012/09/homemade-mod-podge-vs-the-real-deal-autumn-leaves.html Hope that helps! J&K

[@samantha5384]

Also, if you want it to not stand out, pick a book that fits in with what you read. If you have nothing but westerns and mystery and then one hardback copy of Twilight it’s going to raise eyebrows. Pick something in your genre.

[@TheONeilSisters]

It's fun to cover the book too as another craft project. Here's what ours looks like as a jewelry box: runningwithsisters.com/how-to-turn-a-hollow-book-into-a-jewelry-box/ J&K

[@lisar2972]

@@TheONeilSisters So damn creative! Great instructional video (short & to the point), tips & advice. Thank You!

[@yukiomich-ch-ch-chia4496]

This is how I will keep my unique coins private

[@TheONeilSisters]

Fun secret hiding place. We use ours as a jewelry box. J&K

[@caraleanne1694]

Mod podge is bloody expensive can I just use pva

[@TheONeilSisters]

They are not quite the same, but you can try it! J&K

[@futureforward3153]

Thought this was about novel editing.......smh

[@TheONeilSisters]

LOL!!!

[@x5wolf596]

Car i make rounded corners

[@TheONeilSisters]

We've never tried making rounded corners. Sorry! J&K

[@Kleiochio]

Call me crazy, but I’m making this to put the remote in

[@TheONeilSisters]

Funny!

[@Draupnirbackup]

what is mud pudge

[@TheONeilSisters]

Mod Podge is a decoupage medium made by Plaid. It's a little like white glue but does a lot more and comes in different finishes. We use it with paper projects a lot! J&K

[@CandiceArceo]

gonna do this to hide my phone in school 😂

[@TheONeilSisters]

We use ours as a jewelry box. J&K

[@andrewvincent6573]

Who else is here before going through TSA?

[@TheONeilSisters]

LOL!

[@sophiameany4435]

I'll just get a dictionary

[@TheONeilSisters]

Ooh great idea! J&K

[@sterbi9722]

Finally I have a case for my flask, now let’s see if my local church is willing to give me a bible

[@TheONeilSisters]

;)

[@jynx2501]

Gonna use Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Get it? Chamber of Secrets?! Ok.... I'm done...

[@TheONeilSisters]

LOL!

[@jacksonlong511]

I bet you won't comment on this comment

[@TheONeilSisters]

Hi Jackson, Thanks for commenting! J&K

[@kurtlovef150]

That was so cringe I had to comment lol

[@damaris1189]

Pobre libro :(

[@TheONeilSisters]

Aw. Don't feel bad for the book. It got read many times and now it lives on as a jewelry box! Cheers! Jennifer & Kitty