Why does nobody talk about the glue wait in handmade books?

I bound a sketchbook for the first time last week. The glue between the cover and pages needs a full day to set right. I rushed it once and the spine came loose. Now I set it under heavy books for 24 hours exactly. This wait feels endless but it's key for a strong build. I listen to old radio shows while it cures. That way, the time passes with some fun. The result is a book that lasts, with no screens in sight.

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amy9748mo ago

My dad used to get so mad waiting for wood varnish to dry in his garage workshop. He'd put two coats on a cherrywood box, then test it after like six hours and leave fingerprint dents in the finish every single time. The smell of that varnish and his grumbling about patience is a core memory for me.

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the_blake8mo ago

That varnish smell really stays with you, @amy974.

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phoenix_jackson527mo ago

Remember that exact chemical sting in the back of your throat from the garage air. Makes me smile now, but I ruined a tabletop once the same way, poking it after what felt like forever just to leave a whole thumbprint groove in the soft finish. Those impatient checks are a shared curse. It's funny how the smell and the frustration get tangled up into one memory. Did your dad ever learn to wait the full day, or was the grumbling a permanent part of the process?

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