Better Book Safe

I wanted a book safe and didn't like the versions that I saw that looked like they were hacked out with a rusty hatchet. So I came up with my own way of making one.

Materials needed

Thick book - find a book that will look like it belongs in the bookshelf. Don't put "The Works of Shakespear" in a shelf with electronics books just because it was the right size. It looks out of place. Better to use that book "10,000 Electronic Diagrams" that you never use anymore. You can get really nice thick well built books for free or very cheaply at garage sales, library sales, old book shops or just around the house. Just ask for permission if it's not your book.

A sharp utility knife or single edge razor blade or exactco knife

Band saw (recommended) or coping saw (useable)

6 min. epoxy or thin super glue - I like 6 min. epoxy because it is thick and will stay where you put it and I'm sensitive to the fumes of super glue.

Strong cloth or paper to reinforce the binding if necessary.

Step 1 Removing The Cover

Lets get started!

The better book will have a binding that looks like this. The cover of the spine is separate from the actual spine of the book and you can just cut down the hinge line and separate the cover from the pages.

If the cover is not separate from the spine carefully peel it away after you have cut at the hinge line.

Comments

[trevyboy]

can you use a jig-saw?

[Re-design]

Yes. Since jig-saws have an up-stroke you'lll have a harder time keeping the pages together. But other than that it should work great.

[Entropy_king]

Neodymium magnets from an old CD/DVD drive would be VERY strong, you would just have to "indent" an area and epoxy them in... I think they are 1/8" think too.. so its still very covert. The more magnets you use along the edge the stronger the closed position will be, but also that much harder to open.

[jmhoward]

What a clever idea! Using magnets along the closed edge would keep the book from being inadvertently opened.

[Entropy_king]

Thank you! This was fun to build

[pmcbruce]

Nice one mate. Was planning on doing something like this with a book on, business statistics or some rubbish, to put my netbook in when I travel through crazier places like south america or simply for the fun of having your netbook inside such an awesome cover - but taking the pages out and using a bandsaw, i never thought of that - brilliant.

[iPodGuy]

This is awesome!

For the past couple of months I've been setting up a geocaching program for the county library system and I've been hollowing out a lot of books with an Xacto knife. I'm to the point where I'm absolutely sick of it.

Now I just have to dig out my old bandsaw and buy a new blade.

Perfect!

[Daniel.Overgaard.Nielsen]

Awesome for an external hard drive cover! :3

[Re-design]

Nice idea that I had not thought of.

[chrisandamanda]

I really like this Instructable that I am going to use for a Geocache in a Public Library. Thanks for the Idea how to do it.

[Re-design]

Great idea!

[lug big lug]

AWESOME idea.... Is there a copyright? bc i am gunna use it

[Re-design]

Nope, no copyright. Use it as you see fit.

[tbcross]

please don't use Shakespeare even if your bookshelf is loaded with classics, it just seems wrong... :)

[Re-design]

Oh, I agree totally.  I used an old art encyclopedia type book.

[tbcross]

:) that's cool I have some old text books that would work. The ex was a teacher and of course those got left behind. lol

[peacemaker5000]

nice and simple and you dont have to cut each page with a knife thanks

[ddavel544]

Pretty cleaver, don't have a band-saw....but my regular electric hand saw should work just as well.  Will just have to check the floor and look for my left thumb.....

[Re-design]

And don't cut thru your workbench or the kitchen table either.

[stephenniall]

And my dad wonders how that burn the size of a soldering iron was on the kitchen table and why a chunk is missing

[Re-design]

Termites.

[stephenniall]

Ooh good excuse .. Just have to explain i fed my termites Jigsaw blades and thats why it looks like its from a jigsaw

[Loki_Peverell]

This is awesome and sooooooo easy! And now I will finally have a use for the bandsaw my uncle left in the basement when he moved out!

[r42xer]

God u guys are arguing over what would happen if your tie got stuck in a band saw. thats really cool btw

[wenpherd]

Never wear a tie when operating a bandsaw, if it gets cought in the blade its over.

[aaronscottaugustinhotmail.com]

Wow your arguments are pointless... Wear a clip on.....

[wenpherd]

Or just be safe and not wear a tie.

[needs_more_to_do]

 So wait, a silk tie is stronger than my entire upper body and back? My back would break before the tie would shred?

just double checking.

[wenpherd]

No, the tie would pull you into the blade and rip your face to shreds.

[needs_more_to_do]

1) Except that I'm pretty sure I'm stronger than the tie...

2) The motor, while having a high power, low rpm (the way one would be pulled into the blade) on the input is converted to high rpm and low power for the output to the blade...

2.5) ...and if you've ever held a loose blade in your hands you'd know how light they are. the same as when you stop a fan blade with your hand. momentum and mass go hand in hand. just because it's going fast doesn't mean it's unstoppable.

3) There is also a handy-dandy device called a blade guard that only exposes a designated section of the blade. unless your guard is set at a foot above the table of the saw or your face is two inches high i see no possible way to saw ones face with a bandsaw. 

I don't mean to sound rude i just don't like it when people take what they learned in shop class and expect it to be the 100% truth.

[Re-design]

While the likely hood of catching a "tie" and being drug into the blade is very slight, the idea that you are stronger and would just "fight the force" is insane.

Picture getting your tie caught in a low rpm lathe.  A really good one belts tight and all that.

Even a low rpm it would happen in an instant and you wouldn't have ANY time to prepare for it.  If your neck wasn't broken by hitting the lathe, then you would choke to death before you could free your self.  Believe me, I've had a couple of accidents in the shop (never hurt though) and it happens so quickly that you are dumbfounded.  Even your young quick reflexed won't always protect you.  You ain't BULLET PROOF!

Only an idiot argues basic safety precautions.

[worleyll]

Lathe? a lathe has alot more power than a bandsaw!

[needs_more_to_do]

In now way did I imply that I am invincible and in no way did i suggest that one should wear whatever around the shop. It is definitely important to keep loose ends clear however, I think I was pretty clear stating that my point was to dispel the myth that Tie + Saw = Face-shred.

So before you jump to conclusions why don't you go ahead and SCROLL UP.

[Re-design]

Well you didn't dispel anything except that you don't really have the common sense that you think you do and someday will find that out.

[needs_more_to_do]

lolwut

[kibbler]

I believe that means YOU LOSE

[needs_more_to_do]

Wow really quick on the draw huh buddy. Good thing i was just waiting for some one to reply.

[kibbler]

No problem. I'm to help

[wenpherd]

Well I didn't learn that in shop class cause I never took one, and it still is not a good idea anyway.

[Re-design]

Watch the fingers.