ANTAGONISTIC BOOKS: Curiosity - How To make a book that can only be opened once

Step 4 Fix the ratchet

here is the tricky part.
Many bi-directional ratchets use a plastic switching component. Welding can burn this component and turn the ratchet into a one way ratchet. Because you will want to fill in the inside of your un-closable book after you've welded it, if it has been turned into a one way ratchet, you won't be able to close it again after completing the inside, effectively turning your book from a once open to a never opened book.

The solution to this is to rotate the switch segment of the ratchet and pull it out at the same time. Because the plastic switch is stuck, the pin with the spring in the ratchet switch will move into a position that allows the whole switch to be removed. once it's out you should have a reasonable view of the switch. Take your awl or needle and place it on the switch side that isn't inset and gently tap on your awl or pin with your wrench/hammer/anything. Eventually the switch will break free of the melting and move again.

Push the spring and pin back into the switch component, and place it back into the ratchet. Everything should work fine again

Comments

[Londonbrig0]

Could you just take out the switch before you weld it and then put it back in afterward to prevent any melting in the first place?

[stfj]

not really :/ the part of the switch that melts is really difficult to remove, maybe impossible, I'm not sure. The diagram I made might make it look like all the pieces come out, but actually its just the turning handle part