Bindery In A Box^®
What is it and how does it work?

click on any photo
for a closer view

only 9"x18"x22" closed

These photos show the Bindery In A Box® both closed and opened. Brass chest handles on both sides, all brass corners, brass cover clasps, brass nameplate, and leather suitcase handle begin to suggest the truly excellent quality work the Mennonite craftspeople put into every Box. All the tools fit inside the sturdy 9"x18"x22" wooden box, which is also the frame for mounting the presses.

You can see the plough resting on the lying press, which is actually three presses in one, converting easily from one function to another. The first position is plough guide, with adjustable wood-handled knife included. Books can be guillotined easily, producing smooth, trimmed edges ready for marbling or gilding.

boards, platens, plough

sewing frame

These photos show the brass-edged boards, two platens, and a fully-functioning sewing frame.

lying press and plough
'in place' on the Box

Here you see the lying press and plough "in place" on the Box.They are held by short metal rods that fit into brass-lined holes. The hand plough has a channel that rides on a raised edge on the press. When the lying press is turned over, the backing jaws fit into place exactly and rest on dowels.

The plough is included in the Complete Box, and available separately for the Basic Box.

backing press

The second press position is job backer, used for rounding the spine. The metal jaws create enormous pressure, a durable edge, and the proper angle for rounding.

The backing jaws are made of cast aluminum and are included in the Complete Box and sold separately with the Basic Box.

This photo shows the third press position, the nipping press, where the lying press is locked in the upright position with two large black screw knobs. These are hand tightened, no other tools are necessary, and the upper and lower platens are added. A slide bolt holds the top platen in place, and guide rails and gravity hold the bottom one. The center-screw press glides smoothly on two dowels reinforced inside with metal rods with screw ends and bolts.