Making a case - Part 1

Making the case for a small sketchbook. This is the preparation, cutting the boards and covering material.

[@alexverdigris9939]

I have made 4 sketchbooks cca 10 years ago thanks to these excellent videos. I'm feeling nostalgic revisiting these.

[@patrykrak8905]

I am pretty new in this field. It’s good to learn from someone experienced. Thanks for your video 😊

[@irishguy13]

You work very cleanly. You're also a clear and concise communicator and teacher.

[@Ceropegia]

+irishguy13 Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@williamhoran6722]

These are fantastic videos. Thank you very, very much for taking the time to do this.

[@maramakesjournals2319]

Whoa Nelly! I love this video. You are a marvel, and I covet your paper cutter. And your studio set-up. Oh, dear, I have a serious need to learn more from you. Yikes!

[@sharonsmith7491]

I am in love! You have absolutely the BEST videos out there. You explain everything perfectly --- concisely and intelligently. What a treat! Your videos not only give me great motivation, but also confidence that I can follow your steps. Thank you so much!

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

I agree. Sage is the best, by a long way.

[@CorrieBergeron]

A good deal of eyeball measurement, which obviously comes from long experience. Those with lots of shop and craft-table time will get it. Others will learn from the best teacher of all: mistakes. :-) I'm enjoying this series. I've learned a couple of new things.

[@johnacsyen]

Thanks for sharing. Always like your great detail bookbinding videos. Keep uploading more.

[@profaaulas9555]

REAL explantion! All my questions were answered. Thanks

[@Ceropegia]

the paper wrapped around the spine is creased at the board's edge on both the front and the back, when you remove the paper it will show the distance that between the boards in the finished case. I add a millimeter or two for 'ease' as the book cloth sometimes causes the boards to come a little closer together. The gauge is cut to a width equal to, plus 1-2 mm, the space between the creases on the paper. The gauge helps you place the boards when making the case. Thanks for watching.

[@resueman2]

Very instructive videos. Please make one and talk about paper weight, sizes and choice for end pages, spine reinforcement, and others you would deem important. Is thickness of Davey board important to every day binding? And please tell what big tools you have in your workshop - presses, cutters etc. Thanks

Hello MASTER! I live in Hungary (in Europe), here the bookbinder profession is go dead. You are a very clever boy Your work is interest for me and our friends. Thanks! I wish health and persistence for You!!!

[@mgtripa]

One of the best video series I've seen so far on bookbinding! You are gifted in explaining things really! Two comments though: 1) It its more useful to organize all your bookbinding videos in sequential order. Eg. bookbinding step 1: swewing signatures (part1) and part(2) if necessary. Then you'll have a bookbinding step2, ex. with end pages etc... I found it a little difficult organizing your videos in sequence. The second comment is on next post.

[@smatt566]

new fan of yours, very enlightening work! congratulations on your work and thak you from Argentina.

[@mikilovett]

I am finding your videos very clear and informative. Thank you. Please do a video of gluing the fabric to the spine and adding the end papers.

[@cleopatrabonne7582]

Greetings Sage. Im still making boxes but now Im also trying to make books. Ive learnt how to make the signatures, kettle stitch and Im now learning the part of making the case and putting it together. Your videos continue to be the best for me. For now, I dont own a book press - I hope to have a carpenter here make one up for me. PVA glue is also hard to find. Do you have a recipe for a homemade glue that can work for me to achieve a professional finish? Thanks again.

[@Ceropegia]

You can order PVA from Talas Online. you can also get the wheat paste there too. order the #6 Wheat paste, that's what I use in the videos. There isn't really any usable glue you can make at home. You will find some book presses on eBay many are a bit over priced but it seems a usable press (that can be cleaned up) can be had for $100 -500. They used to be found in antique shops and Antique markets here in the Northeast at much lower prices. A wooden press will not be convenient to use especially if it has four posts to tighten and you'll never get the pressure even. You need a single screw to push two plates together fairly quickly (even, aggressive pressure) so you can see if the book is together and then you can put it under boards and weights (passive Pressure). Thanks for watching and good luck with your search.

[@printmaker88]

these videos are fabulous - you have no idea how much you have helped me and my final year students this year! I had some basic bookbinding knowledge but it has been great to pick up new tips. Can you let me know with this case how much you are adding for the overhang head and tail and also on the fore-edge? It looks like you measure it square to the edge of the book but then you have an overhang. Are you adding this when you measure or are you just cutting extra? thanks!

[@Ceropegia]

Sonia, I should probably make a video about grain in materials. In the mean time, Board generally runs long grain, that is to say it runs parallel to the long side of the board. If you take a sheet of paper and just bend it over itself on a table you will see that it makes a bend. Then un bend and do the same thing at ninety degrees from the first bend. The grain of the paper will run parallel to the way that the paper makes the smaller bend; on some papers you can feel the resistance when you bend against the grain and an ease when you bend it with the grain. hope that is some help for now.

[@mgtripa]

My second comment: Many of us do not have signatures folded as you explain and do not do sewing, as we just print single sheets out of a pdf document. Thus I would be more interested into gluing stuff. I did glue pages and it worked good However I could not round the spine as you suggest. May be I don't have to? Also trying to make a hard cover, I run into some difficulties. If you could have a video addressing the book binding just by gluing single shieets, it would great. Thank you very much

[@angelawomack7286]

Where did you get your amazing cutting table? I never thought I'd be jealous over such a thing, but I am! My hands get so tired using a razor knife, and many of the papers and boards I use would just get mangled with the cutters I have. Where did you find it? I wish you were here in Houston so I could attend any workshops you might have. You're an excellent teacher and your videos are the best! You're bowtie is also amazeballs!! 😀

[@Ceropegia]

The cutting table is called a board shear. Mine was probably made in the early 1900's. They don't make them like that any more but you may still be able to find one. Try Ernest Schaeffer in Union New Jersey. He supplies board and glue and has been refurbishing some board shears. Shipping will be expensive but this is a tool that you will use till you are too lod to lift the knife. Mine will be with me 'tiI I pass on... You might also try graphic arts and binding machinery dealers. And watch for auctions of binderies and some printers if there are any in your area. Thanks for watching!

[@Wushu17]

I really enjoyed your videos. They're to the point and very informative. My question is, the technique that you use to make your cases, would one use the same steps when binding a book in leather?

[@walderjohan]

great work sir !

[@Wushu17]

So far your videos are the best I've seen on youtube. Would you be able to make a video or videos demonstrating leather binding? Possibly with a Ribbed Spine?

[@soniaguzman7327]

This may sound stupid but how can you tell which way the grain is on the paper and on the boards?

[@BilliesCraftRoom]

Great film thanks Billie

[@FrofooBagiss]

Hello Sage, you're making very useful videos. Your name means wise in french. And you got some wise tricks. Can I just ask you some answers (or even a tutorial) about covering with soft cover in oil skin cloth like the moleskine soft cover model ? It would be very useful. I'm working on a similar projet and it will be of great help for me.

[@user-zb9tu5yq5b]

where can one get a cutter like that? wondeful video by the way!

[@Ceropegia]

Try Ernest Schaeffer in Union New Jersey. He has board, glue and tools.

[@dexterdragons]

book center, small paper or colth? 80gr? tahnks!

[@MyJuancho2010]

perfect video and very nice,...Can you help me to make a big photobook case like 12"x12" .on your tutorials............Thank you....jhon

[@egeria13]

Great!!! Thank you.

[@JosiSoar]

Please could someone tell me what material did he use for the cover ?

[@Ceropegia]

it is a common paperbacked binding cloth. Try Talas online they have many to choose from. Thanks for watching.

[@FilmFactry]

What is a good thickness of board to start with?

[@Ceropegia]

For medium sized books - 60 point board (about 1.5mm) larger books can take weight of 90-98 point board (9X12" books - about 2mm+) and not feel over boarded, it all depends on the final use and the weight of the book cloth. I cover my sketchbooks with a very thin board that remains a little flexible, the book is about 4 X 5.5" landscape, I got tired of the weight of heavier boards as I carried the book around all the time . Thanks for watching.

[@Yoyo-uc5im]

Take you much much...Jhon

[@dexterdragons]

paper or board size thickness (gsm), what type? tahnks!

[@Ceropegia]

The thickness depends on the size and use intended for the book, small books use lighter board, 60 points or about 1mm (slightly less), larger books 86-90 points, 1.3-1.9mm there about. I make small books with very thin board because I want protection and flexibility but not much weight. Use your own judgement for the use and feel of the book you want to make.

[@MyJuancho2010]

thank you ..thank you ....Please help me with the instruction on the part 4:13 of the video I am little confuse ..I don't speak good english but I understand....thanks..Jhon

[@dexterdragons]

hey, Please help me with the instruction on the part 0:32 of the video...?

[@Ceropegia]

That's a simple spring measure that jewelers use to find the size of thickness of metal, cabochons and pearls. They are marked in mm and you can find them in any jewelry tool supply store or catalog. Not expensive at all and only necessary for binding when you have a scrap pile of boards in mixed weights. I am usually making a number of books and simply cut all the boards from one new board of the thickness I want to use for that project. BTW there are many different types of thickness measuring tools for a number of trades, that one is just what I have around because I am making metal projects.

[@Yoyo-uc5im]

Joke peace✌️