I finally tried the PVA/methylcellulose blend for my hinging and I'm never going back

For years I just used straight PVA for my spine hinges and book cloth attachments. A guy at a workshop in Portland last fall kept telling me to try mixing in some methylcellulose, like a 70/30 ratio. I thought he was being fancy for no reason. Finally gave it a shot on a rebind of a 1940s encyclopedia last week and the difference in how long the glue stays workable is wild. No more rushing to get the hinge set before the PVA skins over. Have other people found a specific ratio that works best for them?

2 comments

2 Comments

casey161mo ago

Oh, I don't know about that. I've been doing book work for going on 25 years now and I keep going back to straight PVA for hinges. That methylcellulose mixture makes the glue too soft for my taste. I find it doesn't give me the same tight, rigid hold on the spine that I want for a good long lasting hinge. The extra working time is nice, sure, but I've had too many books come back to me with hinges that started to sag a little after a few years. I'll take the faster drying time and a stronger bond over the convenience every time.

sagew5028d ago

Got a couple old books held together with straight PVA and they feel rock solid even now.