The following are some rules of thumb for selecting cutters:
• If the only large materials you cut are lightweight, such as paper, thin board, and polyester film, a large mat cutter or a rolling trimmer provide the longest cuts at the most modest cost. They are compact and safe to use.
• To cut smaller materials of most weights, cutters like the Kutrimmer are fine.
• In order to cut thick, large boards, especially bind- er’s board, a board shears is preferable and a Ku- trimmer is a good second choice.
One more detail about cutters: they are designed for right-handed people. We have never seen one built for
“lefties,” although they may exist. However, the fact is that people who work with their hands after a time become somewhat ambidextrous. Most of us sew or use a knife with either hand rather than turn the work around. So don’t let the fact that you are left-handed dis- suade you from getting a cutter.
The presses described above hold books or other items horizontally. The following types are meant for holding books perpendicular to the work surface, so that the spine can be worked on.
Finishing Presses
This type of press consists of two planks of hardwood, about 7 or 8" (18 or 20 cm) wide by about 20" (51 cm) long and about 1½" (4 cm) thick. Two wooden screws, at the ends, hold them together (fig. 2-13). These small, light presses are extremely convenient to use and can be stored standing on end if necessary. When purchasing a wooden press, make sure that the screws work smoothly.
Keep the screws parallel by tightening or loosening them simultaneously. This will prevent the screws from getting stuck and possibly damaged. Occasionally, the holes on the two boards are not aligned perfectly and the screws won’t turn easily no matter how you turn them. If a press with this problem was purchased new, it should be exchanged. An old press with this problem can some-
times be helped by waxing the threads of the screws with beeswax or paraffin. Older finishing presses have gently rounded or beveled edges along the top; many new ones do not.
Lying Presses
A lying press consists of two thick, heavy pieces of hard- wood held together with wooden screws. Older ones can be quite large and can be unwieldy; the press in figure 2-14 is 30" (76 cm) long and weighs over 20 lbs (9 kg).
Originally, these presses were placed in stands called
“tubs” and were used for many operations, including edge gilding. Most of the old presses found today have lost their tubs and must be propped up on some type of sturdy supports in order to use them. This can be a risky operation in a busy lab. They are not usually a top prior- ity for a preservation department.
Smaller versions, with 12"–18" (30–45 cm) capacity between the screws, are sometimes called finishing presses and can certainly be used in the same way,
GETTING STARTED Fig. 2-12
Fig. 2-14 Fig. 2-13
although they do not support the whole book as well as a regular finishing press does. To improve this, small pressing boards can be used with the press.
Handle presses with wooden screws with care; do not drop or bump them when using or moving them to avoid breaking or damaging the screws.
Job Backers or Backing Presses
A backer is a cast-iron press with two jaws that are opened and closed by a screw wheel. It works somewhat like a vise. This is a heavy piece of equipment that is not at all portable, and it takes up a fair amount of floor space. But if your institution does a lot of book repairs and there is room for it, it is a wonderful machine to have. When a book is in a backer, it is held perfectly steady, leaving both hands free to work. Used ones can be found from time to time.
The backer shown in figure 2-15 has 20" (51 cm) jaws and can accommodate books over 6" (15 cm) thick;
there are bigger as well as smaller versions, including some models that are mounted on wooden bases or legs.
The legs of this backer are bolted to lengths of 2" × 4"
lumber to spread the weight.
Combination Presses
This press design has been in use for at least fifty years and can be made from materials available at lumberyards or hardware stores by people who are handy. (See fig. 2-16.)
The combination press consists of two pieces of plywood at least ¾" (2 cm) thick held together by four carriage bolts. Brass strips line two edges and protrude about ¹⁄₁₆" (2 mm). They help set the grooves on the joints of book bindings, as shown in figure 2-17A.
On older models, such as the one shown in figure 2-17B, the edges on the opposite side of the press are beveled and there are brass strips on the bevels. This makes it possible to do some of the operations per- formed on a book in a backer. Current versions available from catalogs do not have this feature.
GETTING STARTED Fig. 2-15
Fig. 2-16
Fig. 2-17A
Gaylord Bookcraft Press
A Gaylord press is an ingenious device that can press up to five average-sized books at once. It comes with Ma- sonite boards that are used to separate the books, but small brass-edged boards can also be used in it, with the brass edges on the side away from the book protected by Masonite boards. It is small and can be put away when not needed. (See fig. 2-18.)
These presses were found in almost every library in the past, and many old ones are still around. The com- pany offers replacement parts.
Dry Mount Presses
A dry mount press is handy for pressing papers or thin boards and is often used without heat (figs. 2-19 and 2-20).
Look for one that is at least 18" × 23" (46 × 58.5 cm). A used press is worth considering, even if it does not heat, if the hinging mechanism is in good condition (and the price is right). Used presses may have upper platens that are encrusted with adhesive. Since the press will be used with additional boards or blotting paper, this is not usually a problem.
The base of the press is too spongy for our purposes, but this is easily remedied by the use of boards of various thicknesses. Have two pieces of fairly thick binder’s board, e.g., .098 (U.S.), cut a little larger than the press- ing area. The article that needs pressing is placed between blotters that are inserted between the binder’s boards and the whole assembly is put into the press. For more pres- sure, add more layers of binder’s board. As with any metal press, be careful not to leave damp boards in a closed dry mount press to avoid rusting the platen.