If there is someone out there with a hot glue gun, what do you think the chances are of it sticking the spine of a paperback book, e.g. 350 pages? I've looked at a number of paperbacks and they are all glued, like the Argos catalogue, for example. The pages could be roughened at the binding edge, held in a clamp of some sort (easy to make), and the hot glue applied.
Another idea I had was to use iron-on edging strip.
MM
Try a fabric binding heat applied material.
It'll stick it, but you won't be able to use it. Bookbinders use a rubbery PVA glue for this sort of job.
How many? You want something like
But phone books, Argos catalogues etc are not bound with PVA, are they? The binding looks like it's been done in a thermal binding machine, i.e. using hot glue. As do most of the recent paperbacks on my bookshelf. I am hoping to avoid the cost of a thermal binder!
MM
Do you mean like WundaWeb for hemming? I did consider that, too, but I think it may be a little flimsy. (Although two or three layers could do the trick.)
MM
Well PVA the blighter then! It's cheap!
===================== Try using an old fashioned gauze bandage and Copydex or similar rubbery adhesive. The method is called 'perfect binding' if you want to google for more information.
Cic.
The message from "Cicero" contains these words:
Mostly because it's anything but!
I've done this with hot-melt glue, placed on a fabric strip, heated on a hot plate so it goes into one gooey lump.
Place fabric strip on some foil - to stop it sticking to the hotplate. Place clamped aligned book back on hot plate, along with the heated fabric/glue. Press down firmly while still on the hot plate for some seconds. Slide foil off hot plate onto cold surface. Allow to cool for several minutes. Trim, and iron edges back. Alternatively, there are progessional book-binders.
Ian_m, how many pages?
MM
All excellent suggestions! Thanks to all respondents!
MM
Haven't looked at the Viking one mentioned, but my local university has a machine of this concept for binding draft versions of theses - so good for about 1,000 sheets. This used manufacturered covers with a black spine and clear 'boards' - the cover chosen depends on the width of the spine and the thickness of the contents.
Most uni print rooms will have such a machine or know of a bookbinder with one.
Owain
Quite good, I've used it on a number of paperback books to good effect.
IIRC you can get thermal binding systems that do just what you describe... a sort of DIY version of "perfect bound".
In fact, have a look at:
Thermal binding is good for appearance, but plain old staples are quite a bit more durable.
You can use single page sheets, or sew the paper first, or fold each sheet singly then glue.
NT
You can get a Fellowes one that goes up to 2 iches, I believe. But these machines are not cheap! I am looking for ways to do it "on the cheap"! (I'm only talking about one or two copies for personal/family use.)
MM
Ah, excellent! Any tips, Peter, that you could pass on? I suppose I should try it first on some scrap paper.
MM
Are really long staples available? If so, from where? The book will be about 1.5 inches thick.
MM
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.