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Vent: I spent $200 on a 'professional' book press that was a total letdown | Bookbinders - Topic Shares

Vent: I spent $200 on a 'professional' book press that was a total letdown

I saw a lot of people online saying you need a big, heavy press for good results, so I saved up and bought a specific cast iron model from a well known supplier. It arrived last month and honestly, it's been more trouble than it's worth. The screw mechanism is stiff and hard to adjust evenly, and the plates aren't as flat as they should be, leaving slight marks on my book boards. For the price, I expected something that just worked. I've gotten better, more even pressure from my old method of using thick boards and a bunch of heavy bricks (which cost me nothing). I feel like I was sold on an idea that isn't right for a home binder. Has anyone else had a bad experience with a big press and found a simpler way that works better?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_jenny7mo ago

Ever think the problem is the cast iron itself? It can warp over time, especially if it's a cheaper casting. Those slight marks sound like high spots from a plate that wasn't machined flat after casting. Your bricks spread the weight in a totally different, maybe more forgiving, way.