What’s in your Tool Roll-up?

myrollup.jpgWhen I wrote recently about a nifty leather tool roll-up, Robert asked “I’m curious about which tools you have in your roll up.” Here’s my answer — let me know what you use yours for in the comments below…
My studio is a 10-minute drive from my house, so I originally stocked my roll-up with tools I didn’t want to duplicate for both home and studio. My japanese screw punch, a good glue brush, a micro spatula. I also included some linen thread, a couple of needles, scissors, a knitting needle (for scoring paper), a bone folder, an xacto knife and extra blades, an awl and a glue stick.
After a time, I realized I was using the roll-up more for trips to SFCB, where I teach an introduction to the platen press class as well as make my photo polymer plates and use the spiral binding equipment. I swapped the screw punch and glue brush for things I could never count on finding at the book center — several small screw drivers (flat & philips head) to adjust the presses, a black sharpie pen to write on the back of plate material, small binder clips to fix the plate maker, and a small metal ruler. Later I added a small pad of post-its (good for notes and labeling) and several pencils (the center mysteriously has only pens), and safety pins (although I can’t remember why!)

One thought on “What’s in your Tool Roll-up?”

  1. such a great page!! I’ve been doing art for over 50 years, but semi-new to book making. Loved the Japanese screw punch (ordered one) and micro spatula. My studio is in my home, my presses (Vandercook and etching) are in my double garage. (my truck currently is a huge movable table til Spring). IF I had a roll up, it would have the bone folder, exacto knife and blades, awl, 4-h pencils, binding thread and needles, small square, brushes…don’t know how I’d include the PVC glue, cutting boards, heavy spring clips, or C-clamps (the poor man’s book press). I’m current “editioning” my new book so this is what I’m using every day, ALL day. Thanks again for the great page. It has a fun and educational resource. If you can access facebook you go to my page, Robert Chapman (Champaign, IL), and see my new book in the “5FIVE5” photo album.

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