Scrool saw for hallowing books.

[S.A.W.]

I'm looking to buy a scroll saw, or any other tool that may do a better job if anyone has any insight, for the purpose of hollowing books. i.e. Book box or secret safe type of things. I've been using a utility blade but the pain in my arm has led me to the decision to buy something that requires much less manual labor.

After doing some research I found that someone else had used this sort of tool do to the same thing I do but I'm at a loss of what kind of scroll saw (or other machine) to start with. I have moderate experience with different kinds of power tools and saws.

Anyways, I'm looking for something between $100-$200 that would work for cutting though paper that's been bounded down between two thin boards. The thickness of the paper could measure anywhere between 1/4" to 3" at the very most. (Most of my books are no more than 2").

Any help or suggestions are welcome.

~Sequoia~ >:]

[julief]

A scrollsaw is the perfect tool for hollowing books.  The max thickness on most scrollsaws is 2".  There was a review of scrollsaws recently in Scrollsaw magazine (Issue #41) that ranked the Porter Cable (available at Lowe's) the best in it's price range.

[Gabby]

A scroll saw is the perfect tool for hollowing books.  The max thickness on most scroll saws is 2".  There was a review of scroll saws recently in Scroll saw magazine (Issue #41) that ranked the Porter Cable (available at Lowe's) the best in it's price range.

There is only one problem with Julie's answer about buying a scroll saw to hollow books.
Once you start you'll likely not quit, it's "catching"! 
Gabby

[thumbs]

SAW--just a question--how are you sticking the pages or are you leaving them loose?  Richard aka thumbs

[mrsn]

I have made a couple of these, here is how I do it.
I take most of the pages and sandwich them between pieces of wood, secured with some nails in the cut out part. You want to be a little careful to keep the pages straight as you secure them together. Then dril an entry hole and cut. Then I glued the pages together at the opening. I use either super glue or white elmers glue for this. You want to keep the pages straight for this part or it will look weird when closed. Also try to keep the glue on the inside and not to the outside edge so it looks normal when closed. Also be careful to not glue the cover. Once dry, I paint the inside, but you could use felt or flocking.
so that's how I do it.
MrsN

[mrsn]

I have a birthday party for a younger cousin tomorrow and got to thinking about this project, so I decided to make him a book safe. I had a bit too much time on my hands so I took some start to finish pictures of the process.
If you are interested in how I did it you can check it out here
https://picasaweb.google.com/KNWoodworking/BookSafe#

MrsN

[Bill P]

Very cool, Mrs. N.

Bill

[Gabby]

Good tutorial, now I want to make at least one, I'll be looking at my local thrift store or used book store for a likely book to cut up.
I'm thinking if someone wants to use this in their book case, the title should blend with the other subject matter on the shelf so it won't stand out as different which would draw attention to it. Devious I am.
Gabby

[GrayBeard]

Well done, Katie!
Accurate, complete and very informative!

I foresee a run on used book stores in the near future....

BTW I really like that 'cute hammer'!!!

~~~GrayBeard~~~

[Mainewoods]

Devious I am.

It's a thin blue line, Gabby!

BTW I really like that 'cute hammer'!!!

~~~GrayBeard~~~

I caught that too GB!

Nice work Katie!

[Chachi]

Ya know Katie I thought about doing one myself but Never could figure out how to do it....Now thanks to you I think I can do it when I get my new saw Thank you.

I with GB cute Hammer BTW...

[bettyswood]

Thank you for the pictures.  I am now inspired.

[Russ C]

Thanks for posting the pictures/tutorial Katie. I think I am going to give this a try also. 

[S.A.W.]

thumbs : I was planning on doing something similar to what Mrs. N was doing as for sticking the pages together. Gluing the pages will depend on the book; some books have a nice outer edging that I like to keep in tack so I only glue the inside if not I usually start by gluing the outside and hallowing it out one page at a time. Hope I answered your question.

I'll post pictures later of some of my current in progress pieces.

Thanks for all the help.

~Sequoia~ >:]

[Gabby]

Missed the hammer on the first round.
It must be a GIRL thing. Right Katie?
Does it drive nails any better?
Gabby