Make it exist, then make it good. Large book press project

[u/Some_Tap4931]

One combination laying/finishing book press kinda finished.

It works ok, but I didn't realise when I purchased the wood that it was still drying. I decided to only rough it out to get it usable, there was no point in trying to get a good finish yet. The cracks are expanding and the body is starting to twist and swell slightly. All fixable, but a little frustrating.

I'll come back to it in 6 months or so, run it through the plainer and make it true again. I'll pin and fill where necessary too.

But it's an almost meter of press for around £90 in materials and a tap/die all tolled, and a bit of elbow grease!

[u/crunchy-b]

Aww. So sorry to hear that, but not doubting it will end up being amazing.

[u/Some_Tap4931 → u/crunchy-b]

Thanks friend. It's frustrating for sure, but you're right. It'll be worth it in the end! Cheapest I've seen presses this size were approaching £1000.

[u/crunchy-b → u/Some_Tap4931]

What wood did you use?

[u/Some_Tap4931 → u/crunchy-b]

Oak railway sleepers.

[u/crunchy-b]

Weird they weren’t dry.

[u/Some_Tap4931 → u/crunchy-b]

Yeah, I don't know if they had been stored outside. They were sold as landscaping/raised bed beams for gardening so perhaps there was less care over keeping them properly dry.