Workshop
The bench is a two-metre table under a north-facing window. Everything else fits in four drawers.
Tools I use every week
| Tool | Notes |
|---|---|
| Self-healing cutting mat, A2 | Large enough to cut a full sheet of board in one pass. |
| Steel rule with cork back | The cork stops it sliding under pressure. |
| Snap-off knife, 9 mm | Fresh blades often; a dull blade tears paper. |
| Awl and punching cradle | For sewing stations. The cradle keeps holes on the fold. |
| Teflon and bone folders | See the note on folders. |
| Small nipping press | Second-hand, cast iron, and the best purchase I have made. |
Materials
- Unbleached linen thread, waxed at the bench
- Acid-free text weight paper, 90–120 gsm
- Greyboard, 1.5 mm and 2 mm
- Book cloth and paper-backed Japanese tissue for repairs
- Wheat starch paste and a neutral pH PVA
What I would buy first
A knife, a rule, a mat, an awl, a needle and some thread. With those and a stack of printer paper you can make a perfectly good pamphlet-stitched notebook this evening. Everything else can wait until you know which bindings you enjoy.