This 120-Year-Old Book Press Was Destroyed… So I Rebuilt It

Please watch our latest video! "A new tool, an old tool, and some innovations | TWW Tools Unleashed" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkxqKyj-LQI --~-- Thanks to Woodcraft for supporting the show: http://woodcraft.com When a 120-year-old book press arrived damaged, we decided to rebuild it from the ground up. This press belongs to book conservator Noah Smutz, who uses tools like this to restore rare books, family Bibles, and historic manuscripts. After severe shipping damage compromised the original frame, we rebuilt the structure using hard maple and traditional joinery, while preserving as much of the original hardware as possible. In the end, this wasn’t just about fixing a tool, it was about giving it another century of life in a shop dedicated to preserving history. Important Links: - Hybrid Woodworking - https://twwstore.com/products/hybrid-woodworking-book - Carbon Method Carbon Coat Kit - https://carbonmethod.com/carbon-coating-kit/?ref=mjguvwfm - Bench Nuts - https://carbonmethod.com/benchnuts/?ref=mjguvwfm - Carbon Coating Prep Kit - https://carbonmethod.com/carbon-coating-prep-kit/?ref=mjguvwfm - Surfprep 3x4 Electric Ray Sander (Save 10% with code TWW): https://surfprepsanding.com/products/3x4-electric-ray-sanders?aff=253 - BackSide Sandpaper - https://twwstore.com/collections/backside-sandpaper 00:00 Meet the Conservator 00:22 Assessing the Damage 01:18 Choosing Maple Stock 01:35 Gluing and Cutting Blanks 02:58 Upgrading the Foot Joint 06:10 Drawbore Peg Prep 07:54 Adjusting Press Height 09:14 Twin Tenons and Hardware Fit 12:37 Assembly and Metal Refresh 15:14 Finish and Road Trip 16:35 Final Assembly in St Louis 18:06 How the Press Is Used 20:36 Wrap Up and Thanks Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKp44bWWZIiOPShPN_ytShw/join Sign up for our free newsletter to be notified of a new video or other cool stuff happening at The Wood Whisperer! https://thewoodwhisperer.com/newsletter/ For more information, free plans, and helpful links: https://thewoodwhisperer.com SUBSCRIBE! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=thewoodwhisperer Take a woodworking class online with The Wood Whisperer http://thewoodwhispererguild.com OR get Direct support from Marc through our Guild+ subscription! Plus a ton more perks https://thewoodwhispererguild.com/plus SUPPORT US ON PATREON! http://patreon.com/woodwhisperer PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED BY MARC US - https://www.amazon.com/shop/thewoodwhisperer Canada - https://www.amazon.ca/shop/thewoodwhisperer UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thewoodwhisperer CHECK OUT OUR BBQ CHANNEL http://youtube.com/twwbbq WOOD WHISPERER en Español https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN0YcxiYZrgxp2TVC6W1oWg CHECK OUT OUR SHOP TOURS http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/shop-tours/ GET INSPIRED BY OUR VIEWER PROJECT LIBRARY http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/viewer-projects/ DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP iOS: http://bit.ly/177u4An Follow me on: TWITTER - http://twitter.com/woodwhisperer FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/thewoodwhisperer INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/woodwhisperer/ Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/woodwhisperer/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/woodwhisperer.com