#case fitting

[zhalfirin-binds]

Fitting the case of a Bradel binding

When I do a Bradel binding, I usually leave the covers wider than needed and adjust them later. This has the benefit of being less likely to cut them too short and accommodating for any skew of the book block (or, as another bonus, a slight skew/unevenness of the hinges). The later is particularly helpful when rebinding old books. Those are often slumped and not quite square or even anymore. With a completly square angled case, that does not take the aging into account, you might end up with a perfect cover that still looks odd and clumsy on the book block. In such a case, making the cover skewed to fit the book block creates the illusion of a book more balanced than it actually is.

To get there I mark the top side to which I align all parts of the case, pre-round the spine stiffener for rounded books and do the dry fitting on the finished book block. For the fitting it has endbands and oxford hollow already attached before marking the front squares on top and bottom. I used to use a compass to make sure your squares are perfectly even, but now I just eyeball it.

It's important to keep the book block pushed well back into the case and firmly in place to mark both covers on top and bottom. Otherwise the skew doesn't get get accounted for!

For the last part here I trim the front squares and now I have a well fitted case for the book block (no matter how skewed it might be).