DIY Hollow Book Case

[nekokami]

You know what? We could really use a forum called "Cross-Platform Accessories and Projects" for threads like this. The eternal discussions of book lights (other than unit-specific items, like the Sony Reader wedge) could go there, too.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by nekokami

I've seen some really beautiful handmade journals that would make spectacular liseuse covers. I'm a crafty chick, so maybe I'll try my hand at making a couple.
There is the problem of what to do with the cutout portions. I hate waste. Perhaps I could use them to make a bunch of hand-bound mini-journals as gifts, or something like that....

I have also made a number of padded fabric-covered boxes over the years, and it would be pretty simple to make one for my iLiad. If I use sheets of acrylic for the box, rather than cardboard, I would think it would provide considerable protection, as well.

How about origami ornaments?? Like cranes or something??

You know, I've done a lot of work with acrylics, and the problem is, they can all too often break. Given the choice, I would go with 1/4 inch plywood. It will take an impact and dent rather than shatter. It just absorbs the force better. Unless you are talking about bullet proof acrylics ... which are on the expensive side.

[Xenophon]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

I wonder why that company has all their books hollowed out with one end curved?? I rather like your method better.
<<SNIP>>

It looks to me as though they do it that way in order to make the cut-out with a single band-saw (or maybe jig-saw) pass. If you look at the sample picture, there is a cut spot in the pages at the lower right corner of the hole. Looks to me like they cut in with a jigsaw/bandsaw, cut up and around for the arch, then back around to cut out the bottom. Making square corners when cutting this way is a pain in the butt; the arch lets them make only two instead of four.

Xenophon

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

As for magnets, if you decide to go that route ....

I used plain old craft store magnetic tape on mine (I felt the book title was perfect for the task). I inlaid the tape into the cover and the edge of the page block, the two facing pieces on each corner compensates pretty well for the weakness of the magnetic tape. Since I glued paper over the inside to match the book's end paper, the magnets aren't visible.

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Although, velcro would work as well, I suppose.

I tried velcro, and wasn't very pleased with the results, it adds rather a noticeable amount of thickness. That really flat industrial velcro, the stuff that's more plasticy than fabricy, might work, but I still think it would add more thickness than I'd like.

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I just wonder about the hollowing out process. Would it be easier if just the pages were glued into a block, without sticking them to the cover?
Then you could use a jigsaw to cut the rectangular hole, smooth the edges with emery paper, then stick the block of hollowed pages to the cover.
It seems like it might be less work than cutting through the pages with a knife.

I've decided if I ever make another one (I've done two so far), I'm using a RotoZip.

[RickyMaveety]

Well, the metal flashing adda zero thickness ... so two 1/16 inch magnets that each have a three pound pull force should work pretty well.

For the moment, I'm just testing ... I've got the magnets in place ans I'll see if they do any damage either to my Kindle or any of the other stuff I carry around on a daily basis.

I rather think it will all be ok. If it is, then I'll glue them on the back of the case. Mind you, I really haye making permanent modifications to anything ... but, sometimes ya just gotta say what the hell.

[NatCh]

You could use some of that stuff they use on the wall hooks, you know the stuff that you stretch out from under the hook to get it to come loose?

Here's a sample of what I'm talking about.

[acidzebra]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

For the moment, I'm just testing ... I've got the magnets in place ans I'll see if they do any damage either to my Kindle or any of the other stuff I carry around on a daily basis.

Of course, you also have the option to mount the magnets in the book and add some metal to the reader, or maybe there is enough in the chassis already? (I haven't handled the Kindle)

I've done some further research regarding magnetism - SD cards and other types of flash storage (pretty much every memory stick) are not magnetic media so they should be fine. In hindsight, I knew that already (big "duh" moment for me).

The reader devices themselves should be fine too, some earlier MR testing with Iliad and this weather station with magnet for attaching to a fridge more or less confirm this. So that leaves your credit cards and bank cards and whatnot.

[AJ Starr]

Originally Posted by NatCh

You could use some of that stuff they use on the wall hooks, you know the stuff that you stretch out from under the hook to get it to come loose?

Here's a sample of what I'm talking about.

They're called "Command Performance" tabs. They are great, but they do let loose after a few years. My wall hangings sometimes drop if the weight is heavy. But not always.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by NatCh

You could use some of that stuff they use on the wall hooks, you know the stuff that you stretch out from under the hook to get it to come loose?

Here's a sample of what I'm talking about.

You know, I thought of that while I was out walking the dogs this morning. I have tons of command strips around the house. In fact I was using command strips to hold my Kindle in, but then decided I would go another route.

So, I'm going to take a couple of command strips, trim them so they fit the magnets neatly. Put the magnets on the back of the book, and see how well the whole thing holds.

I would consider putting the metal on the book, however, the cover I am using already has a lovely back pocket that is perfect for sliding in the flashing, so for me putting the metal in the book cover is the way to go.

Going to do this right after breakfast!!

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by acidzebra

Of course, you also have the option to mount the magnets in the book and add some metal to the reader, or maybe there is enough in the chassis already? (I haven't handled the Kindle)

I've done some further research regarding magnetism - SD cards and other types of flash storage (pretty much every memory stick) are not magnetic media so they should be fine. In hindsight, I knew that already (big "duh" moment for me).

The reader devices themselves should be fine too, some earlier MR testing with Iliad and this weather station with magnet for attaching to a fridge more or less confirm this. So that leaves your credit cards and bank cards and whatnot.

Yep .... and it's the "and whatnot" that will probably kill me, but I'm going to give it a go. I'll report back if I do encounter any problems. It's my purpose in life, I'm the one that tries something so that everyone else can see what a stupid idea it was .....

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

So, I'm going to take a couple of command strips, trim them so they fit the magnets neatly.

Make sure you leave a "tab" to pull on when you want to remove them!

[acidzebra]

Originally Posted by NatCh

Make sure you leave a "tab" to pull on when you want to remove them!

On that note, for anyone considering making their own "deep" DIY hollow book, MAKE SURE TO LEAVE AN EDGE so you can turn the power on/off and dig/pull the reader from the cover.

I just attached two strips of velcro, the soft "furry" side to the reader, and the hard "hook" side to the book. Then I put in the reader. I needed a crowbar to pry it out (figure of speech, may not conform to reality). Additionally, I couldn't reach the power button except by using something flat/thin .

So, v2.0, with neat velcro support, which I can recommend for its non-magnetism and intense grip, and a little corner removed which you need for pulling the reader from the velcro death-grip not to mention the power button access. Yes, it could be neater. I'm a techie, not an artiste.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by acidzebra

On that note, for anyone considering making their own "deep" DIY hollow book, MAKE SURE TO LEAVE AN EDGE so you can turn the power on/off and dig/pull the reader from the cover.

I just attached two strips of velcro, the soft "furry" side to the reader, and the hard "hook" side to the book. Then I put in the reader. I needed a crowbar to pry it out (figure of speech, may not conform to reality). Additionally, I couldn't reach the power button except by using something flat/thin .

So, v2.0, with neat velcro support, which I can recommend for its non-magnetism and intense grip, and a little corner removed which you need for pulling the reader from the velcro death-grip not to mention the power button access. Yes, it could be neater. I'm a techie, not an artiste.

heeheehee ! thanks for the helpful tips. it's good you've decided to test all this out so the rest of us can learn from your difficulties !

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by NatCh

Make sure you leave a "tab" to pull on when you want to remove them!

Way ahead of you NatCh .... I put the magnets on the strip first, right next to the tab, and then trimmed off the excess sticky portion of the strip. It looks pretty good.

However, two magnets just sticking to flashing through the fabric of the book cover pocket was not quite strong enough. So, I had another idea, and placed two magnets directly on the flashing at the appropriate locations before I slid it into the pocket.

Now the magnets on the book hook up to the magnets on the flashing. They hold strong enough that the book does not fall out of the cover if I hold it with the book facing down (a position in which I rarely hold my books), but it's not a matter of the industrial velcro death grip to pull the book off if I need to.

On the whole, I am pleased with the result. And will be ... until all of my credit cards are erased.

[acidzebra]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

On the whole, I am pleased with the result. And will be ... until all of my credit cards are erased.

So, um, pictures?