book conservation – Page 53 – Peachey Conservation

March 29, 2016March 29, 2016

Nokey Travel Size Sewing Frame

Nokey-travel2 — Nokey travel size sewing frame, closed.

This smaller, and less expensive, travel size Nokey sewing frame is ideal for teachers or students who often travel to workshops. Or if your bindery is the kitchen table. The size of the base is 12 x 9 inches, overall weight 4 lbs. Folded it is 13.25 x 9.25 x 2 inches. Same features as the larger models, includes 5 buttons for attaching supports and an an adjustable 90 degree stop that can compensate for wear. 13-ply birch plywood and 6061 Aluminum. Lightweight ball-point hex driver included. Information on how to purchase above, in the store tab.

Nokey Travel: $350.00

March 22, 2016March 22, 2016

Are Beating Hammers Important?

Forging a beating hammer. Photo: Smederij Berndt.

Pictured above is a custom made beating hammer we will be using for my upcoming 18th C. French binding class in the Netherlands.

Using a historic tool, or a replica of one, is an invaluable exercise for book conservators. It increases the ability to interpret subtleties of how a book was made. Beating hammers, for example, once ubiquitous, have been obsolete for almost 200 years. Using one in this workshop is usually a new experience for participants. In addition to the cathartic thrill of beating a book with a gargantuan 14 pound hammer, it helps us to understand the complexities of leaf morphology and textblock undulations.

Thanks to Smederij Berndt, the blacksmith, for taking the time to make this great looking tool. I can’t wait to give it a swing, that is, if I can lift it!

unnamed — The finished hammer. Photo: Smederij Berndt.

March 15, 2016March 15, 2016

Improved Book Fixture

I’ve made two improvement to the in-situ book conservation fixture. First, the sliding arm is now machined out of a solid 1 x 1″ block of aluminum, so it much more rigid. The second is the front bar is now made from a 1″ rod of Delrin, much more paper friendly than the previous aluminum one, and has a larger diameter. History and more images of an earlier version. Available for purchase here.