Trying Bookbinding Spacers & Corner Cutters 📚 Sea Lemon

This week I'm testing out bookbinding spacers and corner cutters to see if they save time! Typo correction at 4:05 - 16mm should be 6mm (sorry!)
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[@SeaLemonDIY]

Typo correction at 4:05 - 16mm should be 6mm. I need to proof read my videos before uploading 🙈

[@somnathjana2455]

It's fine :)

[@MeowMeowKapow]

I have metal versions of those spacers called Keystock, which I got at a hardware store forevvvvvver ago. They’re actually featured and talked about in my Skillshare bookbinding course! They’re possibly one of the most used tools in my arsenal but they’re totally under-hyped. HIGHLY recommend just heading out to a hardware shop and looking for key stock, since that’s where you can most likely find it. They come in a bunch of different measurements, some even being a specific width paired with a specific depth for double duty usefulness, but the fact that they’re metal is suuuuuper clutch.

[@frostrap]

For those who might want to search through a massive selection of keystock online: www.mcmaster.com/key-stock

[@recoveringsoul755]

Are they originally for making keys?

[@janasher4940]

@@recoveringsoul755 No, they are not used to make keys. They are used to provide torque for a drive shaft of some sort connected to a gear. It looks just like the spacers in the video, but they are made of metal. And they come in various sizes, and they are cheap.

[@kevinorr6880]

Thank you! I'm going to follow your lead.

[@janhulse9518]

@@janasher4940 thank you.looked them up and they are for gears and such but the sizes would be perfect for spacers. and not expensive.

[@marilynbook4211]

I always make my spacers from scraps of the board I am using by gluing a couple scraps together and when they get too gluey I just make another. I also make my own corner cutters from scraps. Not too hard to make and I love them. Same thing when they are too covered in glue or if I cut into them once to often I just make another.

[@sevenandthelittlestmew]

I’ve got arthritis and MD, and I’ve found that spacers and corner miter guides are super helpful! It’s awesome that there are more out there on the market; I’ve got the set from colorway arts. I love the weight of the metal corner miter guide. It stays in place and helps me get a more seamless cut. I’m not a beginner, I just know these are useful for people who have joint and neuro disorders. Thanks for showing these guides, and a couple DIY options. 😉

[@mommajones86]

Seven And The Littlest Mew - I’m thankful too! I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Myasthenia Gravis. All of these tips help!! Thanks Jennifer!

[@evelynrocksyourlife]

"there are gonna be some experts in the comments" there are always people who know things better XD looking at your channel it looks like YOU are the expert XD

[@shelleytroupe4726]

Painting your DIY spacers with waterproof Mod Podge or some leftover outdoor paint might help with glue clean up after you use them.

[@marieduncan8746]

I love all your videos and find the bookbinding videos especially helpful. I have begun using balsa wood lengths as spacers...they come in many sizes and are really inexpensive.The sizes I use most are 3/16" or 1/4". I wasn't aware that they were available commercially. Thanks for sharing your talents and expert knowledge. I always learn from your videos.

[@invaderzim1964]

Another alternate that you could try for a spacer or key stock is using sliding bar report covers plastic spines. Super cheap. The plastic spines are 0.5 inches (12mm) when laying flat. If on end they are 0.25 inches (5mm).

[@iBookBinding]

Jennifer, wow! Thanks a lot for mentioning my project! I have some new tools and jigs in works now. Well, I'm trying to design something new all the time. I'd be glad to send some experimental stuff as well as some of our traditional tools for you to check!

[@iBookBinding]

By the way, I agree with you about the hinge measurement absolutely. There are so many styles, so it's just not right to say there's only one proper width of the book hinge =)

[@SeaLemonDIY]

Thanks for being a great resource for bookbinding over the years! Feel free to send anything to my PO Box (but don’t feel obligated)!

[@iBookBinding]

​@@SeaLemonDIY I will definitely send you something! I'm not sure about when I will do that as I'm pretty packed with printing current orders and preparing for our move to the US... But I will start gradually gathering and putting aside some stuff along with printing the orders. That should work =)

[@lulugregory3246]

Wow I had no idea that these types of things existed.. I think that I personally would find them quite useful, especially the corner cutter, I seem to consistently mess up my angles on those! I guess that you don’t necessarily have to use a craft knife to cut them though, you could always use the cutter to draw a line and then use scissors to do the actual cutting? I will check out that tutorial for a DIY. Thanks as always for sharing! ❤️

[@meghanphillips3495]

I am the same way with my corners! One minute, I have too much paper, so the fold is bulky. I trim it and just like that, no matter how little i take off at a time, book board is peeking out! I could definitely use the corner guides.

[@sevenandthelittlestmew]

You might pick up a cheap rotary cutter to use with the guides. I have two 45mm cutters that I use: one for sewing, and one for paper and fabric book binding. I get pretty expensive blades for my sewing. When they get too dull for fabric cutting, I have a color coded plastic container that I put them in so I know they’re good to use for paper cutting. When they get even more dull, and my paper starts to fray when cutting, I know it’s time I send them back to the seller which gets me discounts on new blades. So I’m upcycling the whole way.

[@meghanphillips3495]

@@sevenandthelittlestmew that's a great idea! I like how you get as much use from the blades as possible. Very cool!

[@recoveringsoul755]

@@sevenandthelittlestmew I was told I could sharpen my scissors by using them to cut aluminum foil. I was worried about my kitchen scissors getting dull when I needed to cut a bunch of squares of foil, and was told it was actually good for my scissors. Not sure if this would work with a rotary cutter since you don't have two blades against each other.

[@FiMilton]

Thanks for the 3D printing links! My college has 3D printers so I think I’ll try that!

[@celina-]

Hiii You should coat your diy book binding spacers with modpodge so that way it's easier to clean off the glue!

[@SweetBioDesign]

OMG! I've been following you for years! Happy to have been helpful! ♥♥♥

[@maramakesjournals2319]

You can pull the metal bars out of hanging files. I don’t know the width offhand, but I think they’re about 1/4 inch. You can buy acrylic sheets or dropped ceiling light panels in big hardware stores. You just have to get the right cutting tool for them. And have a steady hand. Well, that’s a “wholenother” project. Ha! Thanks for the video.

[@sevenandthelittlestmew]

@Mara Makes Journals that’s a fantastic idea! Great way to get use out of old hanging files. As a former admin assistant I like to use hanging files to organize colored cardstock, so I’ve got plenty. 😁

[@pepiola]

I’m a professional bookbinder and I can confirm that spacers are a very useful tool, I made them with cardboard stripes when I don’t have acrylic ones at reach, it makes it easier and quicker Regarding the measurements... I take into consideration board thincknesses, bookcloth thinckness and shrinkage, adding air, tha type of binding I’m making.... In the end, it’s usually something between 3mm for the small and thin books to 1 cm for large wedding photoalbums, most commonly 5 or 7mm. It’s not worthy spending too much time on this specific measurement

[@ElLibroRojodeAline]

Thank you for mentioning my shop! :D I'm super happy! :D

[@_JoyceArt]

How about covering the spacers with wide plastic tape to make wiping them down easier.

[@KristaKosar]

I recently made a book binding cradle at my local library. They have a 3D printer and charge by the gram, so it only cost me $6 for a high quality cradle. My library also offers free access to Tinkercad which has 3D templates, many of which are for book binding accessories. Just doing a shout out to support your local library and its makerspace!

[@sandraludwig1546]

It blows my mind that some libraries have things like die cutting machines and 3D printers. Nothing like that around here.

[@xDenituUx]

Jenn, don't take this as a criticism, just as an oportunity to learn, as you always say in your videos. I love your videos, btw, but many people might get their meassuring wrong from your conversions: a 1/4" is not 16 mm. It's a bit over 6mm. 1cm = 10mm. 1 inch = 2.54 cm = 25.4 mm.

[@SeaLemonDIY]

Ugh, sorry that was a typo. Thanks for catching that!

[@user-ob8ye3ug8l]

Love the video! More bookbinding projects please!

[@grimtt]

I’ve bought from ibookstore (leather corner jig) before and he is really nice and prompt and the jig works . Talas sells metal spacers and I like the weight; they tend to stay where I put them! My problem is cutting board perfectly square and straight 😖

[@mygmail1491]

Thanks for really getting down to the basics. As a new crafter, thanks to Covid 19, I knew what I wanted to try to do but I had no idea where to start.

[@jbjazzyrasheem]

i watched all your vids and im 10 and thanks to you im a pro book binder!

[@marthamurphy3913]

Since I'm a quilter, I have a set of bias pressing bars, four metal bars, ranging in size from 3/16", 1/4", 3/8" to 1/2" wide. If I had two sets, I could use them as spacers for binding! I'll have to watch at Goodwill.

[@kevinorr6880]

Where did you get your metal spacers?

[@lyllydd]

One tool that I like for the corners is the Perfect Trim corner ruler. I like it because it has a number of different measurements on one tool, whereas with the 3d printed ones, you need to buy a lot of different single pieces. 2nd choice for corners is a quilting ruler -- it has different angles marked on it, so you just line up the edges of your covers with one angle, slide until the edge of the ruler juts out past your corner, and cut. Those rulers are also cheap and available at most craft stores. Just FYI, the punching cradles I've seen on Etsy are pretty pricey -- at around $55. The We R Memory keepers one I bought came in at around $24, and then I used a coupon for it, so I got it for around $13. Anybody interested in one would be better off with Volcano Arts, Hollander's, We R, or printing their own off of Thingiverse.

[@shariyoung4064]

I went to Lowe’s or Hime Depot and purchased metal rods in the sizes I needed. I had to clean them really well and they work great. I do my corner cuts w sissies.

[@Aegopodium]

We use a metal profile cut to length in our workshop. Easy to clean and sturdy as anything! Ours is 8mm, but then we don't use anything as thick as your card stock...

[@hellomeesh]

When I took bookbinding in college, we were shown how to make spacers and all using excess binders board. :)

[@katjons_]

You have such a beautiful, soothing, and calming voice. I'm enjoying both the video and the sound. I'm preparing to catch some 😴, and this is helping me town down anxiety, so I was wondering - did you ever consider doing asmr?

[@kimberlypurcell5218]

The Etsy stores seemed to have very good prices on their products. I'm off to favorite their stores. Great and fun video!

[@leonhad037]

O want to thank you for remembering the Brazilian viewers about the links I vídeo description. 😌

[@JoDidntHearYou]

Yay! Thank you for another bookbinding vid! You’re wonderful 🦙

[@49lucky]

Cartonage also has that equipment and teaches how to make cloth boxes.

[@douggarno1172]

You may want to try to wax your DIY spacers after you paint them. In woodworking we wax parts that we don't want glue to stick. Because you are using them over and over again, you may have to wax them frequently. Any kind of paste wax will do. I like your tutorials. Keep up the good work.

[@SeaLemonDIY]

Good idea!

[@BlueZion9]

Excellent work and presentation

[@madhusudang.m7883]

Faber-Castell has launched its new water colors and I have tried them. They are awesome. I have tried the 12 color pack but it comes in a 24 set color packs too. They are so vibrant and really look good to look at on paper! You should definitely try them.

[@kevinorr6880]

I think I like the acrylic over 3D. No proof that they are more durable, but it feels like it.

[@dolmanjohn]

Let's have more like this please

[@RosyRosie42]

I’m a sucker for nifty gadgets 😊

[@evypetre949]

I’m just starting and this was very helpful! Thx

[@dinacarroll9211]

Country Craft Creations has some in the sizes you want.

[@tuthillg]

Great tutorial and very informative! TFS the inspiration!

[@marafeeqbadru9296]

Thank you very much

[@jom2995]

I hope you would experiment how to turn old/unused journals into a crafty/artsy journals in a minimalist way.. and without spending much art materials.. like using magazine cut outs, old photos.. this is best idea to those who wants to try scrapbooking with limited resources or money to buy art stuffs

[@jjayoungiya]

!!! Have you traveled around my mind? How did you know I was wondering about this?lol

[@dragonslayer_eyre2315]

I need a cornercutter asap! 😍

[@letshaveago]

Really great tips. Thank you for the video.

[@Claunoclaudica]

You speaking in spanish killed me (in the good way) ♥️♥️

[@SeaLemonDIY]

I grew up in Arizona and took Spanish class in high school so hopefully I pronounce somethings right 😄

[@janicedonahue7735]

Try Country Craft Creations for their spacers and also watch their free videos for the lay flat method of binding books.

[@Miastrong930]

Great video. Good I formation on suppliers. Thank you.

[@soriuskb0812]

Yay!

[@joannecarroll5504]

I'd prefer to make my own too, but spray paint isn't a favourite for me because in order to get a high quality & easy to clean surface, you really need to spray & sand & spray & sand repeatedly many times & then it should also be finished with a tough clear top coat. I just can't be bothered with all that faff anymore, when I'd expected spray paint to make things easier. I now use a stronger medium like acrylic paint instead, it takes less layers & it's pretty tough with or without varnish.

[@jbjazzyrasheem]

your my top fav youtuber

[@katiefiszman6461]

Great! Thank you once again 🙏🏻

[@maried4069]

I was thinking maybe you could glue something like vinyl to the top and bottom of the chipboard spacer so it would be easier to wipe off the glue. Just a thought. Love your bookbinding tutorials and have made some books. I still have to try the hard-covered ones. I use one to keep all my usernames and passwords in and even alphabetized the websites for quicker lookup. It is a unique book so it is easy to know which one it is. Thank you, I would have never known how to make one without your knowledge. 💕🌹😘🦋

[@lyllydd]

Would vinyl add extra thickness to the spacer?

[@magicinhands]

Time savings👍👍👍tfs

[@foodbymomanddaughterAMMA]

Please make a video for diy corner cutter!!

[@liadember1911]

You should do them with corrugated plastic

[@barbarasiqueira9533]

You´re awesome. Simply as that.

[@janeweller]

Those acrylic spacers look great. I have to check if I can get them in my country. Thank you for linking the tutorial for corner cutters. I always have problems with those. I've tried to make a few hardcover books with a board spine but I can't get the hinge width space right since my leather material is used for covering furniture so it's thicker than the vinyl I've seen on this channel. Any tips how I can get this hinge space right?

[@nicky_stevenson]

I’m always surprised when I hear you say, ‘a forth of an inch,’ I’ve always called it a ‘quarter of an inch.’ (UK viewer). 🙂

[@kairacook1093]

I say quarter of an inch too and I'm from the us

[@tengwarsenna]

@@kairacook1093 I even shorten it from there, it's just a quarter Inch, not a quarter of an inch. That is my take up in Canada. Thou we also call cases of beer Two-Fours, so are we really to be trusted? ;)

[@DanceswithDustBunnies]

@@tengwarsenna same here, quarter inch. Texas. go figure.

[@kairacook1093]

Sometimes I say quarter inch too!!

[@kairacook1093]

@@tengwarsenna I might start calling cases two fours I like that 🤣

[@johnacsyen]

So if spacer is 3/8 inch, how to calculate the front and back board with respect to the book block width. Thanks

[@vionlu1756]

It s sea lemon time

[@lyllydd]

It's always a good time for a Sealemon video!

[@kfogo7459]

Hej Jennifer, i just found pictures of bookbinding with (bamboo) blinds. Have you seen it before? They look nice and seem to be rollable! It would be cool to see a video about one if you would be interested in trying it out :)

[@notconvincedgranny6573]

I don't know if anyone has a Tap Plastics nearby - I do - and they have plastic rods they will cut to size. I found a 1/4" x 6' square extruded acrylic rod, had them cut it into 14" sections. Under $2.00.

[@shamrockgirl6595]

Never heard of them.

[@ellencoffey4431]

They are only in northern California and in Oregon. Great store--I was just in San Jose (the original store, maybe?), and stopped in, just this morning. I have found they can solve 5 problems for $3, a lot of the time. :) I have not found any equivalents in Southern California where I live now. They have a box of scrap plex in the store, usually $1 or $2 apiece, that I cut to make quilt templates. The cutters are easy to use, but may be tough to be that exact. You basically score the plex and snap. Perhaps doing that and then sanding to refine would work. Generally, I think cardboard spacers would be fine.

[@NancyRemling]

Very helpful. Thank you. 🌹🌹

[@dreamcrafters7451]

Cool

[@berry2582]

Oh i missed being the first.... Anyways love u Jennifer. One your oldest subscriber😍

[@naomidunbar719]

There is also perfect trim ruler at perfecttrimruler.com - it is plastic, and has 4 different measures on a square to make the perfect corner trim depending on the thickness of the chipboard from .065 to .25 inches. Instructions of using it are etched onto the plastic. I found it to be quite easy to use and there is no need to purchase more than one item.

[@icebear8177]

Can you review some Dollar Tree Pens and other stationary supplies?

[@rhonalynestrelles]

I love this video. What is the name of the hard board?

[@MoniqueAO888]

Great ideas and great video !!! Like Marilyn Book (who wrote a comment below) I'm using cardboard-srcaps to make my own 1 cm, 1,5 cm etc. spacers and I found a great idea how to make a corner-cutter with a triangle-ruler in the videos by Sage Reynolds. Greetings from Germany :-)

[@mesafox]

Can you show how to make the journal from gravity falls

[@spirited154]

Hi Jennifer! Love your videos! Out of curiosity, have you ever looked into/tried spine rounding methods? I'd love to try it, but all the resources I've found require specialized tools that are extremely difficult to find.

[@grimtt]

Emily M just a note: several etsy shops sell a spine rounding 3D jig thing. Like here: www.etsy.com/listing/535894944/3d-printed-spine-rounding-tool-small-3x5?ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-4&frs=1 (I haven’t tried it tho!)

[@Chemshaw]

now if only i could by case of chip board that isn't already cut wonky lol can never use edges or sides as they all slanted and sloped. lol

[@rizal8322]

This is cool! May i know?what type paper for cover better?

[@hotcheeto8076]

I guess you could say that those corner cutters could help... cut the corners?

[@RaspberryFanta]

Hey Jennifer, have you ever talked about your ring? Is it an ace ring? Or just a ring that you like and enjoy wearing? I hope you don't mind me asking.

[@SeaLemonDIY]

It's a carbon fiber wedding band, my husband and I wear the same ring. It's hypoallergenic, durable, comfortable to wear and I like minimalist jewelry 😉

[@RaspberryFanta]

@@SeaLemonDIY That's really cool! Always extra special to have a custom wedding ring. I should have paid attention to which finger it was on haha

[@salomenizard7735]

I'm looking for a frznsh shop so the shipping isn't to big

[@KristanShuford]

All the books I make for my shop use the same materials, and I make so many, I literally just eyeball the hinge space now now. Is that horrible? I've never ended up with any big problems so far...

[@99rylee]

I would like to know where you get your chip board

[@Carbear4641]

What type of board do you use for the thickness?

[@jennglow4647]

😃

[@macdiys4628]

If you had your own notebook company with a custom #SEASUBS logo on it I would totally buy it also love your videos.

[@zkargottvanhazent]

I use pencils as spacers :P

[@lindahazel5075]

I have a question. What do you do with all the corners you cut off? I'm wondering if there is another use for them.

[@sevenandthelittlestmew]

@Linnope Tigers I sometimes use them to die cut small flowers, leaves, stars or other embellishments that I use on the front of books. There are lots of really small dies available that you can use with a die cutting machine. There are even tiny die cutting machines that are small desk friendly and portable that make quick cuts like this a breeze.

[@lindahazel5075]

@@sevenandthelittlestmew Excellent ideas. Thank you for letting me know. I could only think of bunting for mice homes. :0) I think your ideas are much more useful. lol

[@sevenandthelittlestmew]

@Linnope Tigers haha! The mice might like your idea better! 😂

[@grimtt]

You can use them on other books to make contrasting color corners on the front of the cover (does that make sense?)

[@lindahazel5075]

@@grimtt It certainly does. Kind of like brass corners.

[@jmrb]

I think you are so cute i love your projects and love u 2 😍

[@jbjazzyrasheem]

hi Jenifer

[@oliviasmith3503]

First!

[@PatriciaHaddad]

That's what I wrote you about some weeks ago! Unfortunately, I sent you the same email twice, but got no answer. But at least now I know you did read it.

[@KennethNicholson1972]

Thousands of pounds worth of modern technology, and they print a stick, lol. Metal edges are much better and safer for cutting against, and flat bar stock comes in many sizes to suit, and will last forever.

[@eduardulan6759]

First hehehhe

[@TheMatthewklos]

I like this style of videos

[@daia.novakova]

Love the video! More bookbinding projects please!

[@user-gm3dh2gt3y]

Wow I had no idea that these types of things existed.. I think that I personally would find them quite useful, especially the corner cutter, I seem to consistently mess up my angles on those! I guess that you don’t necessarily have to use a craft knife to cut them though, you could always use the cutter to draw a line and then use scissors to do the actual cutting? I will check out that tutorial for a DIY. Thanks as always for sharing! ️

[@user-ok2js4sd8c]

Thank you for mentioning my shop! :D I'm super happy! :D