a different hand tool project

[geojoe]

Hello, It has been some years since I last posted. I am still interested in woodworking hand tools, but am pursuing other interests as well. I thought I would post some of my recent bookbinding work that involves woodworking hand tools.

This work began when I saw a neighbor tear out an old picket fence and pile it at the curb for disposal. I walked past it several times, and loving the grain in the old weathered wood, asked if they would mind my taking it home. They were happy to let me have it.

I painstakingly removed all nails and screws because I did not want to damage my edged tools.

Before I began work, the material looked like this:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/186590990@...367008426/

1. I cut it to size and plane it to thickness (my current favorite plane for this is my Bailey no. 5 1/2):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/186590990@...367008426/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/186590990@...367008426/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/186590990@...367008426/

The part that challenges me in this step is getting the material flat enough and thin enough while also preserving enough of the weathered patina on one side. With some boards, both sides are rather rounded which makes it tricky to do that.

2. I cut my pieces to final size on my Langdon miter box and do final planing. Then I fine-tune for squareness with my Stanley chute board and plane. It works well with these small, thin pieces except in some places where the end grain is too coarse and soft. Then it does some tearing of end grain that I know to watch for.

3. I mark with an awl and drill holes with my small Goodell Pratt no. 655 eggbeater drill.

4. I cut paper and fold it into "signatures" for stitching. (the paper is also recycled since it is old letterhead paper discarded after a department name change.)

5. I punch holes for stitching with an awl.

6. I do the stitching and end up with this:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/186590990@...367008426/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/186590990@...367008426/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/186590990@...367008426/

Those are the main steps. I've done nearly 40 of these so far, and probably have material for at least 250-300 more of them.

I hope you enjoyed seeing how I am using hand tools these days. I welcome suggestions that anyone might have for improvement.

All the best,
Joe

[grwold]

Your bookbinding is a great idea. I've recently torn out an old cedar picket fence, and saved the best of the cedar thinking I'd make small boxes. Maybe I should consider your idea, too--those should make nice gifts.

[geojoe]

Your bookbinding is a great idea.  I've recently torn out an old cedar picket fence, and saved the best of the cedar thinking I'd make small boxes.  Maybe I should consider your idea, too--those should make nice gifts.

Thank you! I have given my books as gifts, and it seems like the recipients were very pleased with them. The responses and positive feedback seemed genuinely enthusiastic.