The Bookbinders Finishing Press
Posted: Thursday, August 26, 2010
by Richard Norman
eden workshops
Traditional wooden bookbinding equipment, such as the sewing frame, finishing press and lying press have traditionally been made from seasoned beech, nowadays kiln dried beech is used and is a fine wood provided it has been dried properly.
Off all the items of equipment the finishing press is the one that will probably be used more than any other in day to day work, and it is this piece of equipment I want to look at.
It is also used for holding books when you need to work on the spine for a variety of reasons. You will use the finishing press while the book has its headbands sewn; the finishing press really is a workhorse in the bindery.
The shoulders of the other side of the press do not have sloping shoulders, and this side of the press can be used for several other purposes in the bindery, such as holding a book while its edges are coloured.
When it comes to the screws of the press, of considerable importance is the choice of a 1.5 inch diameter thread, rather than the most commonly used 1.25 inch thread.
There are several advantages in using a 1.5" thread.
The press's give greater pressure than those commonly available.
The reason for the greater pressure is due to the surface area of the thread which is greater on a 1.5 inch screw that a 1.25inch; this also affects the wear and stability of the thread as the pressure is spread over a larger area of thread.
With the better presses the whole of the cheek is threaded, again to spread the pressure across the thread making greater pressure possible and spreading the wear and tear on the press.
Some presses are threaded on a pin, not through the whole of the cheek, this means that all the pressure is confined to a small area of the thread leading to wear on a small area of the press and causes problems over the long term.
This idea is born out of fact, I used a finishing press from one of the major suppliers that was threaded on a pin and eventually the pin gave out and broke after just a few years of heavy use.
The smaller threads are produced for reasons of economy and are a result of manufacturers wanting to reduce costs and weight when shipping the items, but unfortunately this has led to a reduction in build quality and durability.
The equipment is after all a working tool for the bookbinder and needs to have the strength and durability you would expect in something used everyday in a craft business.
So when you are shopping for a new finishing press do ask if the threads are 1.25" or 1.5" and if the cheeks are threaded. Doing this will ensure that your finishing press will last at least as long as you do.
And if the people you ask do not have a clue about these important aspects, do yourself a favour and pass them by.
Richard Norman
Superior Traditional Wooden Finishing Press
Be aware before you buy of the differences that exist in terms of quality between equipment that is made today. Two pieces of wooden equipment may look alike, but economies are often made within, where you cannot see. I promise, our equipment not only looks good on the outside, it also looks good on the inside.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I agree that wood threads can be a problem. Most of the finishing presses with wooden threads that I have seen have pieces of thread broken off.
That's why, when I designed my press, I have used steel threads. These will last many lifetimes and glue won't affect them as it will wood threads.
I sell it on ebay. I also build a simple bookpress, sewing frame, bookpress/sewing frame combo, and a punching cradle. If you go to the website from ebay you will also see tying up boards and a tying up finishing press.
If you are looking for well made and affordable equipment, then I think I I can provide you with what you need.
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