Simplebind Manual Web 11

7/27/2019 Simplebind Manual Web 11

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Congratulations on your purchase. TheSimpleBind Paperback

Binding System will open up a new world of publishing possibilities.

You no longer need to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars to

see your books in print. You dont have to order cases of your books

to keep the cost per copy low. And you wont have to rely on a print-

on-demand company that will sell you poorly designed books at $10

to $20 dollars per copy.

Print and bind one copy at a time if you like. TheSimpleBindPaperback Binding System offers true print-on-demand flexibility. In

most cases, you will be able to create your own perfect-bound books

for far less than $5.00 per copy.

Bind a book any size you like, with a spine of up to 11 tall. You

choose the paper, the art, the style. With some practice and patience

you will be able to create books that are indistinguishable from the

ones you see in bookstores.

TheSimpleBind Paperback Binding System is ideal for:

Writers who want to see their work in print.

Small publishing houses who cant afford the high overhead of

excess inventory.

Companies who would like to make their own manuals.

Scrapbookers who would like to create something unique.

Churches or schoolsbind your own newsletters and publications.

So gather up your materials and lets get started!


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The Glue Leveler

The SimpleBindGlue Leveler is specifically designed for use with

TheSimpleBind Paperback Binding System. This device does exactly

as the name impliesit levels the glue before the book block is

affixed to the spine. If you have a steady hand, it ispossible to laydown a uniform layer of glue without use of the glue leveler, but quite

difficult. Even the most experienced users should take advantage of

the glue levelers benefits.

Additionally, the smoothing nut takes care of excess glue that may

have spilled over the spine. It is actually a good practice to apply

some extra glue along the edge closest to you and let the nut clean upthe excess. This will make for a solid bind on what could potentially

be the weakest part of the book (the front or back pages, depending on

the orientation of your book in the SimpleBindunit).

Smoothing

Nut


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The Glue Leveler - Parts

The Glue Leveler consists of five basic parts:

A. Glue Rod

B. Adjustment Collar

C. Smoothing NutD. Height Adjustment Nut

E. Glue Leveler Body (2 parts)

The Glue Leveler - Adjustment

Adjusting the glue leveler is simple. It is designed to move in two

different directions (see the arrows in fig. 1). By loosening the set

screw on the Adjustment Collar (B), the Glue Rod (A) can be slidforward and back to match the thickness of the book to be bound.

The front end of the rod should just reach the back edge of the pages,

barely touching the upright cover. It should then be retightened.

To adjust the thickness of the glue layer, loosen the Height

Adjustment Nut. This will allow you to move the top portion of the

leveler up and down to suit your needs. For a thicker layer of glue,

raise the top portion of the leveler. For a thinner layer, lower the

leveler. Retighten the nut before you begin the binding process. You

dont want to starve the spine of glue, but you dont want it too thick

either. In most cases, a layer of glue the thickness of a dime is about

right. (see fig. 2) (The cover is removed for demonstration purposes).

The leveler will already be set to a standard thickness, so this will

only need to be adjusted if you would prefer a stiffer or looser spine.

Figure 2

AB

C

D E

Figure 1


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The SimpleBind Unit - Parts

TheSimpleBind Paperback Binding System consists of:

Two clamp bars to hold down the pages to be bound. (a)

A downward clamp to apply pressure to the spine. (b)

A wire guide to hold the cover while applying glue. (c)

The front platform to support the pages and cover to be bound. This

also swivels up to allow pages to be jogged. (d)

A handle to raise the front platform. (e)

Two catches to hold the front platform in place after the jogging. (f)

A glue leveling tool to create a uniform thickness of glue. (g)

g

d

Handle

slides out

f

he

b

c

a(upper)

a(lower)


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Recommendations

It is recommend that you begin with some scrap or blank paper until

you get a feel forTheSimpleBind Paperback Binding System. Use the

same type of paper, cover stock and the same number of pages as the

book you plan to bind. This will give you an accurate size for yourspine thickness, making the cover design process much easier.

See the website for more details. Feel free to contact us via the

website as well. We will be happy to answer any of your binding

questions.

See our web site for more binding tips.

www.simplebind.com or www.atomicpublishing.net

Set Up

There are two wings (h) on either side of The SimpleBindunit. These

are to accommodate clamps. Attach a clamp to each side. Make sure

that you dont clamp the machine too far back on your work surface

the front platform needs to be able to rotate to a vertical position.

You can also mount the SimpleBindpermanently with screws if you

dont mind drilling holes into your work surface.

Remove the downward clamp (b) by loosening the nuts on the back.

Heat up the included glue gun(s).

Please notethe hardware on the SimpleBindmay vary slightly from

the photograph as certain pieces of hardware sometimes become

unavailable from our suppliers, but the function will not change.

Thats it! Youre ready to go!

Enjoy yourSimpleBind Paperback Binding System.


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The SimpleBind Glue Gun

The SimpleBind Glue Gun is specifically designed for use with The

SimpleBind Paperback Binding System as well. Its interchangeable

tips allow you to use the tip that meets your needs. By default a wide

tip is installed on the gun. The more traditional tip is included as well.Note: The gun must be plugged in and hot before you change a tip or

else you may damage the glue gun.

**CAUTION: DO NOT USE YOUR BARE HANDS TO CHANGE

TIPS. ALWAYS USE A PAIR OF PLIERS OR A WRENCH OR YOU

MAY BURN YOURSELF.**

To use the traditional tip, you must remove both the tip and the thread

adapter from the glue gun (see below). The male thread will screw

into the body of the glue gun. This is also true of many tips from other

glue gun manufacturers as well.

Making Your Own Tips

You can make your own custom tips for the glue gun. The thread on

the gun is 7/16 20 SAE. Plumbing parts that fit a 1/4 flare will work

as well. 1/4 flare caps can be used to make custom tips that some

people prefer to use. Simply drill a small hole in the center of the cap

and use the flat surface of the cap to spread the glue as you apply it.

Please feel free to contact us with any suggestions or success stories

of alternate tips.

An additional, smaller glue gun is also

included with the kit (not pictured). This

will allow you to touch up your glueseams if you dont use enough during the

initial bind. Lay down a thin line where

needed, then press the spine flat on a hard

surface until the glue sets. Most times,

you shouldnt need the smaller gun, but

its nice to have just in case.


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Binding

Score the cover of your book.* It is easier to mark the front of the

cover first. (1) Using the wheel of the scoring tool, firmly mark each

edge so they will show through to the back. Then flip the cover over

and score the cover by lining up the marks. (2) If you have scoredit correctly, it should fold nicely along the score. The scoring wheel

shouldnt cut the paper, so you can run the scoring tool back and forth

several times if necessary.

Lower the front platform by pulling the handle toward you. Thenloosen the knobs on the lower clamp and slide the cover in. (3) The

scored edge should be to the back side of the machine. If you cant

see the entire spine, you will need to turn the cover over. Remove the

downward clamp (b on the Parts Page) before proceeding.

* Scoring the front edge of the spine (the one that runs along the front

cover) works best. If the thickness of your spine is off slightly, it

is better to have the error on the back cover.

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Scoring Tool

Grip


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Binding (cont)

Raise the platform to the horizontal position and push the handle

forward until it stops. This will lock the platform in place.

Turn the catches on the sides of the unit so they are no longer holdingthe platform in place. (4) Tip the front platform up to the vertical

position. Slide your pages under both clamps so they are resting

inside your cover. (5)

Make sure your pages are facing the proper directionit is very easy

to glue them in backwards or upside down.

Lift and drop the pages firmly several times. This is known as

jogging. Make certain that no pages are sticking upif the spine is

not flat, the glue will not hold and you willlose pages out of your

book. Align the pages with your spine. Lower the platform and tighten

the lower clamp. (6)

DONT FORGET:

Return the catches to their

locked position when finished.

Once lowered, make certain the spine is still flush with the vertical

upright of the front platform. If not, loosen the clamp and make your

final adjustments to the pages and spine. Then retighten the clamp.

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The spine is now folded on both sides. Lift the cover and tuck it under

the wire bracket on the downward clamp. (9) This will keep it out of

the way while you glue the spine.

Rest the leveling tool on the edge of the upper clamp. The locking

collar should be facing the book. Loosen the nut in the collar with theincluded Allen wrench. Press the upper clamp tightly against the pages,

then adjust the metal rod until it just touches the cover. Retighten the

nut. (10) If you have not yet set the height of the glue leveler, do so

now. (see page 5 for instructions)

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Binding (cont)

Slide the downward clamp into its

channels. (the wire guide should

be facing you). The cover and

all of the pages should be under

the clamp. Press down firmly

and evenly until you feel some

resistance. (8) Tighten the knobs onthe back.

Take your scoring tool and place it on the

upper clamp. It will fit on the thin edge

of the clamp with the wheel touching the

cover. (7) Press the wheel of the scoring

tool firmly against the cover as you run italong the length of the upper clamp. You

may do this more than once if necessary.

Oftentimes, you wont need to score this

side at all. Depending upon the type of

cover stock you use, the pressure from

the downward clamp may actually fold

the paper nicely.

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Binding (cont)

Keep the leveling tool nearbyonce the glue is applied, you will need

this very quickly.

Loosen the upper clamp slightly so it now rests loosely against thepages. You dont want the pages compacted too tightly during the glue

application stage. The loose pages will allow the glue to penetrate deeper

into the spine and will make for a better bind.

Run glue along the entire length of the spine, making sure to cover all

of it with a generous layer of glue. (11) (This may require several quick

passes with the glue gun). Push foward on the upper clamp, compressingthe pages once more, while running the leveling tool along the clamp

edge. (12) The metal rod will remove some glue from the spine. This

should be done quickly and smoothlyyou dont have much time

before the glue hardens.

See the Optional Step on page 13 for a variation on this method.

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Optional Step: Some paper tends to wrinkle when it has been printed

on, making the binding procedure more difficult. To help combat this,

try using the fanning rod. This is the wooden dowel included with the

SimpleBindkit.

Pull the upper clamp out as far as it will go (until it rests against the

acorn nuts at the end of the upper clamp screws). Then insert the

fanning rod between the cover and the unit (13). (Not between the

pages and the cover, but behind the cover).

Press the rod all the way down. This will fan out the pages and pressthem together at the same time, making the gluing process easier while

still allowing the glue to penetrate deeper thanks to the fanning action.

Remove the rod after you have glued the spine, then use the glue

leveler as mentioned in the previous step.

Experiment with the fanning rod. Some users prefer to use this method

with all sorts of paper.

Binding (cont)

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Binding (cont)

Set the leveling tool aside. You may need to hold the upper

clamp down firmly with your thumb (or whatever finger is most

comfortable) to keep the pages from curling or bending in the cover.

This is usually more of an issue with rougher paper stocks. With theother hand, grab the handle and lift the platform up until it stops. The

platform should now be horizontal (14) Wait 15 or 20 seconds, then

release the handle. Unscrew the lower clamp and remove your book.

There will be glue stuck to the metal rod of the leveling tool. You

can remove this with your fingers once the glue has dried. Be sure to

remove the excess glue before binding your next book.

You have just bound

your first book with

the SimpleBind

Paperback Binding

System. (15) (This has

already been cut).

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If you find that the first few (or last) pages of the book are comingloose, use the small glue gun included. Simply run a thin line of glue

between the spine and the pages, then press the cover against a flat

surface for a few seconds. Use the glue sparingly as you dont want

the pages sticking to the inside cover any more than necessary.

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Cutting

If your book requires no cutting, congratulations, youre done. Most

will, however. It is easiest to cut the book to its finished width first

this will provide you with some strips of paper to cushion the spine

for the next two cuts. (16)

Lay approximately 1/4 of paper over the next area to be cut. This

will either be the top or bottom of your book. Keep the paper 1/4 to

1/2 away from the spine. (17) This will shift the crushing pressure

exerted by the paper cutter away from the spine. A few sheets of paper

beneath your book will give you a nice clean edge on the underside as

well. Repeat these steps on the other end of your book.

Then put the book aside and start binding your next.

Good Luck & Happy Binding!

16 Spine17

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Simplebind Manual Web 11

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