As promised, here is the start of some of the items I've made for my current project, a late 1800's book bindery in a small community. They still use tried and true hand-operated tools, often heirloom family business items, so much of the equipment is simple to operate.
These two presses are slightly different, in that the lighter one doesn't have the brass strip in the lower beam or the feet, like the darker one has. I was able to purchase threaded screw rod locally, which the Carpenter-in-Chief cut to size for me for the screws. Technically, they should be wooden screws, but I haven't the ability or the equipment to make those. The threaded rod was given a light brushing with dark stain to suggest age and use, and the equipment is a bit banged-about and nicked, as well as antiqued. The screw handles were hand carved, and do actually work, while the knobs are wooden beads drilled to take the threaded rod. The upper beam slides and can be held on the books by turning the handles, while the lower beam is fixed. The small slat next to the dark press would be used between books, if several were in the press at the same time, to ascertain the leather or fabric covers wouldn't be unduly marked.
The table is a finishing one, for the more delicate work of adding titles and gilding to leather or fabric book covers, and will have some gilding tools and equipment on top in the completed setting. As some hammering is required even in this part of the work, the table has sturdy legs.
More soon! The photos are on my desk top ready to put on the blog.
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