I have the copper, rounded tack iron from Rick, and i like the rounded sides because you can angle / lean into dimples and creases on the cover. It was the only tack iron I could get when i couldn't find that little black one.
I love the chamfered board. On the right book with good staples I use it during my humidity application to give the steam a chance to go right into the ticks on the spine. I use the steamer along the spine with the board on the inside cover then press. and I have gotten more non color breaking ticks out than I ever have with a tack iron alone. But it has to be the right book with solid staples
I have used Rick's chamfered board in pressing and it worked great actually. I used it when i thought i needed a hard surface on both sides of the front cover for some creases. It helped and didn't jack up the spine in any way with that chamfered edge tucked in there.
Great info- I don’t use SRP anymore, have had problems with cockling - I use 20 lb copy paper, but some brands do have imperfections like you mentioned about SLP. Like your videos- always watch all of them
I've been using Teflon sheets made for heat presses. Used same sheets 100's of times for a year. They can be washed if necessary.. Bought two packs of twelve 12"x16" sheets $10 each pack at Amazon. Cut them all in half for total of 48 12"x8" sheets.. I press six comics at a time. Use four sheets per comic. One on each side of both covers. Plus, one backing board in the center.
I love my dot tools. I have micro dots to big ball dots that I can work stubborn cover dents out. I can work out spine ticks with my dot tools going under the cover!
Thank you for providing me with the confidence to get started with this hobby. Had my first full successful press of a Bronze Age book that was in pretty bad shape and now it's looking pretty at me from behind its Mylar bag. So satisfying.
Sad to hear about the Uline SRP paper. I haven't looked at mine closely. I still probably have over 900 full sheets left. They are good for baking bacon, but I don't think my heart could take that much bacon.
You're right about that. Those older books scare me though, although I do them from time to time. I've found that they are actually easier in many ways. The covers are tougher, take moisture better, and generally fix easier. The key is the avoid stressing the spine/staples
Yeah, I was gonna say, if overused (Absorene), it can remove colour (especially yellow). Other than that, I concur with your points. Rick makes some great products. I do press occasionally with the chamfer boards when I don't want to stress out the staples/spine (generally older books). Good intro video...Btw, I buy my SRP from Uline. I have to cut them. Have never had an issue with "knots". Some look sketchy, but, I experimented with some of my old, who cares books (and the odd modern as an experiment) and never had an issue with knots transferring any type of imprint. Whatever works...
I'm brand new to pressing and am excited to get started. I've been gathering supplies and doing loads of research. I've tried to find that Hanger 9 iron everywhere that I can think of locally and online with no success. Do you know of an alternative? I see on immaculate comics that he has one, but it has a big spoon shaped end on it and I'd rather the small flat end. Thank you for all of the videos!
Do you think that CGC favoritizes people who spend thousands regularly with them? I just sent in 8 books in identical condition, all cleaned and pressed, no sun spots or foxing, with a couple with tiny bindery defects on the corners of the spine. They sent back two 9.8 slabbed, and the other six were rejected. I'm confused as they are all in identical flawless condition.
I hope they don't. I would look them over carefully for hard to see imperfections (at all angles in good light) and if they are obvious 9.8s, I'd resubmit
@@ImproveCollectingComics I'm careful with handling them but I use the same elite SRP paper for about 2 weeks before replacing them. Not sure which is more cost effective, haven't taken the time to do the math. Also, I've never seen any defects/paper knots in them.
