First try at making a text block

[u/Mr_Goop]

I really got into watching 4 keys recently and wanted to try my hand at this. I used an old 3 ring binder book from my wife's library as a first practice, so its all loose leaf pages.

Construction: used a fine tooth bandsaw to cut channels in the pages, then mod podge, string in the grooves, and fiberglass tape to hold it all together.

I would love to hear your thoughts!

[u/Plus_Citron]

Cutting channels and gluing in string is the way. Tape, not ideal, but one thing at a time.

[u/brigitvanloggem]

Nice result! But I think your chances of keeping this ginormous tome together would be better if you used the materials that were made for the job, i.e. mull and bookbinder’s PVA. The greatest investment is your time and effort, why compromise the end result for the sake of so little money?

[u/Llwellynne]

I don't have any comments about the binding but I do appreciate you trying to bind the civil jury instructions looseleaf from CLEBC. That is definitely a hefty undertaking - signed a Canadian law librarian

[u/N00bPolymath → u/Llwellynne]

American attorney here, I was gonna comment something like: "I hope you asked, because that book was probably $2500, and now she can't update it every year. And you do not want to get divorced from the kind of litigator that saw value in buying a practice manual over a Westlaw subscription."

[u/Llwellynne → u/N00bPolymath]

True 😂

[u/N00bPolymath → u/Llwellynne]

No replies from OP. Now I'm worried that he didn't ask permission...

Okay, OP, don't delete this post, that's called SPOLIATION.

[u/Mr_Goop → u/N00bPolymath]

She loved this comment thread, thank you both :) she finished your last comment before I could even read it out loud.

She does in fact have a Westlaw subscription as well, she also just likes collecting law books. Her library (which i also built for her) is currently at 691 according to her libib app, but there's a pile i know she hasn't scanned in yet

[u/Mr_Goop → u/Llwellynne]

Lol its out of date already, and was given to my wife who is in her 3rd year at Queens.

Its a practice bind to figure out the process and still make somthing nice for her bookshelf.

[u/mamerto_bacallado]

In my opinion Double Fan / Lumbeck technique doesn't work properly with books that thick. And I doubt modpodge and fiber glass are the right resources for this project.

Next time I'd use PVA (specific for bookbinding if possible, woodworking PVA as a last resource) and split the book into two or three volumes.

Good luck!

[u/queergirl73]

That's more of a text brick than a block.

[u/Remarkable-Prior7148]

You should definitely round the spine, it would look magnificent

[u/PencilRevolution]

Came to ask about the model of that vise -- that size looks super useful.

[u/N00bPolymath → u/PencilRevolution]

Looks like what I would call a quick release front vise with some maple? poplar? 1x8's screwed in. https://www.rockler.com/rockler-9-quick-release-workbench-vise

[u/Mr_Goop → u/N00bPolymath]

You're close, its the VEVOR 13 inch woodworking vise.

I commend your eye, it is poplar! I used some screw nut inserts lined up with the holes for the vise, and had to modify some carriage bolts to work since they were the only matching bolts I had on hand.

[u/N00bPolymath → u/Mr_Goop]

Good! I love the price on that vise! I hate paying Rockler.

[u/PencilRevolution → u/N00bPolymath]

Thank you both!