How do you protect your gaming books?
- Thread starter Psion
- Start date
Hello,
When 3.0 came out I was on top of the world. I just got a new job, D and D was taking off, and I had a brand spanking new girlfriend who was just gorgeous.
What does this have to do with protecting your books?
Well, my girlfirend was into arts and crafts and had a side business with a friend of hers. They would spend weekends making all kinds of stuff and sell it at craft shows large and small. One of the things they made was a soft cloth bookcover that was very durable as it had some sort of card stock in between the cloth layers. She was kind enough to make me two covers that I still use today with the same books (PH and DMG). The books have been through hell but take off the covers and they look brand new on the outside. The covers are still in really good shape too. No corner rips or anything. In fact they outlasted my relationship with my girlfriend
Best of all they were only about $5 each at the craft fares and came in a variety of designs based on the material from which they were made. Some of the artisans will do custom jobs too.
Bottom line is that if you can make it to some craft shows (which should be more in vogue during the summer months) you might be able to find some good quality covers at a decent price.
Mr. Lobo
When 3.0 came out I was on top of the world. I just got a new job, D and D was taking off, and I had a brand spanking new girlfriend who was just gorgeous.
What does this have to do with protecting your books?
Well, my girlfirend was into arts and crafts and had a side business with a friend of hers. They would spend weekends making all kinds of stuff and sell it at craft shows large and small. One of the things they made was a soft cloth bookcover that was very durable as it had some sort of card stock in between the cloth layers. She was kind enough to make me two covers that I still use today with the same books (PH and DMG). The books have been through hell but take off the covers and they look brand new on the outside. The covers are still in really good shape too. No corner rips or anything. In fact they outlasted my relationship with my girlfriend
Best of all they were only about $5 each at the craft fares and came in a variety of designs based on the material from which they were made. Some of the artisans will do custom jobs too.
Bottom line is that if you can make it to some craft shows (which should be more in vogue during the summer months) you might be able to find some good quality covers at a decent price.
Mr. Lobo
Kormydigar
First Post
I thought that way too at first when a friend showed me the technique. After looking at my 13 year old gurps books that still have exellent bindings a flawless cover and that have survived the ravages of beer and soda spills many times over I am thankful I got over my issues.Psion said:Something about the idea of applying something advesive to my book covers leaves me skeevy.
Tetsubo
First Post
Last Saturday I bought a tool box at Home Depot for $20.00 just for this reason. It holds all of my Core books, the FR Campaign book, dice, notebook, three-ring binder with campaign notes, DM screen and a reference book (Pocket Reference Guide by Glover, a GM's must have). I've got a tote bag for snacks and drinks.
I'm really happy with this tool box.
I'm really happy with this tool box.
Attachments
Old Gumphrey
First Post
Wow. Plastic is useful. I've tried putting adhesives on books before and I always screw it up and leave bubbles. :\
Tetsubo said:Last Saturday I bought a tool box at Home Depot for $20.00 just for this reason. It holds all of my Core books, the FR Campaign book, dice, notebook, three-ring binder with campaign notes, DM screen and a reference book (Pocket Reference Guide by Glover, a GM's must have). I've got a tote bag for snacks and drinks.
I'm really happy with this tool box.
Great ideas! The tool box has a foam interior, right? That should prevent a lot of wear & tear. Now, if I could just find MY pocket reference...
Thanee
First Post
Psion said:
Hmm... Nothing, really. I'm just generally careful, I usually do not open books full 180° (more like 120-150°, altho the D&D core books don't need to be handled that carefully). I carry them pretty normally, inside a backpack or other bag, with no real extra protection.
I use some of my D&D books weekly, some for several years, and I have yet to see one of them break apart (or even get more than a few cover scratches - well my 3.5 PHB has one small corner dent, from falling down onto a stone stairway at the station, when I was hurrying to catch the train.
).I do have a few really worn books (i.e. the old HERO games softcover book doesn't look very hot anymore
, but it still is in one piece), tho.Bye
Thanee
Mr. Lobo said:
OK, I'm intrigued. I've been googling in hopes of finding directions to make such a thing, but no joy. I think I could wing it, but I'm wondering two things. First, how does the cloth cover hold the cover of the book? (I can envision a couple ways this could be done, but I'm curious what route they went.) Second, how did they bind the cloth and cardstock together? And was there a fastening on the side to keep the book closed or anything like that? Any details you could provide would be most appreciated.
TIA,
Janta
Similar Threads
