The lying press (Fig. 11,) (more commonly called the laying press) may also be termed the backing press and the cutting press, as both the operations of backing a book and of cutting the edges are performed at it. For cutting, is kept uppermost the side that has on the left cheek the two guide rods between which the plough works, as shown at Fig. 12,. For backing, the press is turned over, and the plain sides of the cheeks are placed upper­most. This press is worked by a short unattached iron press pin.

A lying press of slightly different construction is illustrated by Fig. 13, which shows a plough A, in position also. The construction of this particular plough will be dealt with later. This press consists of six essential parts two boards, two screws, and two drilled and tapped handles. To make it, first procure a piece of board 18 in. long, 6 in. broad, and 1 1/2 in. thick; then get another one of the same length and thickness, but only 5 1/2 in. broad. Plane these perfectly true and fasten together temporarily, with two faces together and one long edge of each piece flush with that of the other, and bore a hole right through for the screw, which must now be made. The screw may be of wood, similar to the screw of a carpenter's vice; but an iron one answers the purpose quite as well. Threaded pieces of iron wire (3/8 in. or 5/16 in.), about 8 in. long, have one end each screwed into a plate of iron 1 in. or 2 in. across, either round or square,

and about 1/8 in. thick (see Fig. 14,); the end of the screw is burred over to hold more firmly. The iron or brass handles are tapped sufficiently large to allow them to be screwed on with comparative ease; a lever on each one enables sufficient power to be obtained to press the books well together. Having fitted together the parts of the screw, take off the handles, and pass the screw through the back board, and fasten it in place by passing small screws through the holes in the plate. These screws will keep the large screw from slipping backwards and forwards, and also from turning round while the press is in use.

Home Made Sewing Press