This guide will help you build a traditional wooden book press used for bookbinding. It features half-blind dovetails for strength and a heavy-duty press screw with single-lead Acme threads for the screwing/pressing mechanism.

Included in the plan:

• cut lists

• detailed step by step instructions

• diagrams and images to clarify

To construct the main unit, you'll need a press screw and 2 inch (5 cm) thick wood. While slightly thinner wood can be used, the unit won't be as heavy and strong. We used white oak, a traditional choice for its durability. You will also need a piece of 1/4 inch aluminum (or steel) and some screws to assemble the screwing mechanism.

If you use a different type of press screw, you can still adapt the main principles of this design to fit the specifics of the materials you have on hand.