FINISHING TOOLS.
The necessary tools and appliances for finishing are neither numerous nor expensive, and the amateur would do well to obtain those named in the following pages.

A small gas stove for heating the tools and letters, as illustrated

at Figs. 11 or 12. The tall one, which stands on the floor on tripod legs (Fig. 11), costs about £2 10s.; the small one,

shown at Fig. 12, which stands on the bench, costs 16s. Both stoves are connected with the gas by an elastic tube.

A. stout bench, for finishing press, &c., to stand on, is useful Some bookbinders do all their finishing at the ordinary laying press; but the use of a finishing-press, which can be moved about on a shop bench, is much more convenient. The cost of bench would depend upon carpenter's charges in vicinity; but a strong large kitchen table without leaves makes a very good substitute.
A useful sized finishing press, such as is illustrated at Fig. 13, costs about 12s. 6d. It consists of a couple of small but solid beech cheeks, connected by a wooden screw at each end; the right end of each screw is turned up to a handle for the right hand, for in screwing up the book about to be finished in this press the hands only are used, a press-pin not being required. Larger sizes can be had. The screws should be occasionally lubricated with blacklead and soft soap.

A single line, a two line, and a three line fillet are also required by the bookbinder. These tools are small brass wheels, the peripheries of which have been turned up to one, two, or three fine lines. Their use will be explained when we come to the department of "Finishing." It is sufficient here to say that when heated, rolled on gold leaf, and applied to the back or sides of the book, they leave a gilded impression of one, two, or three lines respectively. Other kinds, either of plain line patterns or those which have their periphery, or rim, engraved with floral and other patterns, can be had, and the purchaser can consult his wants and means in adding to the three described above. The line fillets cost about 5s. each. More elaborate patterns run up to 10s. and 12s., or even more, according to intricacy of pattern.

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