TIL the hard way that cheap bookbinding glue isn't worth it

I was working on a rebind of an old novel in my garage last winter and used some generic PVA I got for $5 at a craft store. The spine cracked open after 3 days when I tried to flex it, pages just fell right out. Has anyone else had better luck with a specific brand that actually holds up over time?

3 comments

3 Comments

elliot_patel29d ago

You ever think maybe you just used it wrong?

robert_bell29d ago

My buddy Marcus once bought a high-end espresso machine and spent three months blaming the grinder before realizing he was using tap water instead of filtered. Took him watching a YouTube video at 2 AM where some guy in a bathrobe casually mentioned water quality to finally get it working right. Sometimes the issue ain't the gear, it's the small details you never think to check.

amy97429d ago

Gotta agree with you on that one. Water quality is one of those things nobody talks about but it makes a huge difference. I've messed up plenty of simple stuff myself, like using old beans or forgetting to preheat the cup. It's easy to blame the expensive gear when the real problem is something small and stupid. Your buddy Marcus probably saved himself a lot of frustration in the long run though.