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Working on a new book cover pattern. Its a work in progress but still wanted to show off the design. It'll be going to my Navy corpsman daughter.

Its supposed to be a stylistic caduceus symbol.

The last pictures just did not do justice to the padauk and the carving. Enclosed is another picture of the book after the poly has dryed. This is raw wood with only oil based poly applied. It will...

They can be a lot of work but they do have the wow factor when people see them.

This last design...well...I won't say it was a complete failure but it wasn't what I was envisioning. In the end I...

I was thinking the same thing but I have an easier solution for this project. I may be able to salvage the spine as well.

I think dragon or clawed hand hinges would be awesome for an ancient tome...

Quick update. All pieces cut and carved. Sadly it looks like this specific design is a big esthetic failure.

The hinges are super smooth for opening and closing. The problem is the spine width...

Sharon, thank you. Me too. :D

Looks like my estimate of about 4 hours was pretty close. Finished carving the front cover (1 hr 10 min) and book spine (39 min). Still need to carve the back (another hour or so). The hinges say...

I like the idea. If I do it, it will be a basic book construction project as a blank slate. In addition to sketch books, these books are a great way to commemorate a special event as a sign-in book...

Working on a new book design. Current design build time is 1 to 2 days including carving. It is a beautiful design that shows great craftsmanship in the final product.

This new design will be...

This is about as close as you can get to finishing at the last possible moment. Applied final spray finish (lacquer) this morning so it could be given as a Christmas present. Quick steel wool rub to...

Thanks. I do hope she likes it. My buddy has been a good friend so wanted for it to come out nice. The hinge design seems to work well so I am happy with that. The design has slowly been evolving but...

Latest book completed for a friend. Its a Christmas gift for his daughter. Used cherry wood with maple plugs on the dado holes. The slots and plugs were cut using the jig I mentioned earlier.

I am...

Really simple jig but actually worked really well for me today. I tacked a 1 in strip on the end of a 3/4 in blank so I would have a 1/4 overhang. It allowed me to set my table saw fence to cut the...

For my stepson who is a nerd like me, "For the Horde!"

Fan art design I made for a book cover. Carved it today in black walnut and it came out looking sweet.

Not sure what the fan art rules are...

Pulled out the scroll saw to try to make some of the really cool hinges from the article Mike showed us. Tried to make 2in hinges with my 2in scroll saw.

Unmitigated failure.

First of all I...

That is awesome. Can't wait to see your efforts.

It can become her portfolio for her special pieces.

These wood books will be for special events or people.

They are very expensive compared...

Norm,

Other. It was for alignment with the dowel rod. You can drill through the pieces (my design #1 and #2 attempt) but I found it to be very inconsistent with my tools and my lack of precision....

As promised (kind of), enclosed is a guide to the last design I used for my last wood book.

This is the third design so far but its the easiest and most forgiving so far.

They all work. Its...

Mike,

Thanks. I had not seen that article. That technique is a beautiful elegant solution. I'll keep it in my back pocket for a more elegant project.

I am using a modified version of the...

Henry, it was black walnut.

Finally had some time with my tools. I am very pleased with this effort. It is far from perfect but I learned a lot and this should be a viable design once I clean it up a bit. I will redo the plans...

John, Dale, thanks.

I have the panels drying now for the next design. This next prototype is going to the wife so tonight will start working the design. She wants a world of warcraft book/tome....

Okay, after 4 prototypes I am declaring my design a failure. The hinge thing is too inconsistent. Sometimes good results but also sometimes not so good. So going to redo the design with the alternate...

The drill press vise made a big difference. The drilling was a lot straighter than my other attempt using a homemade jig. The design I am finding is very forgiving. The beauty of using a natural...

lol. Okay, I am being stubborn in trying to make my initial idea work. The other method is a proven, efficient method to get super straight cuts for the hinges. I'll try it after these next two books...