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General => Technical Help => Family History Programs, Tree Organisation, Presentation => Topic started by: Abiam2 on Thursday 20 March 08 00:39 GMT (UK)
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Have any Rootschatters experience of the Family History Springback Book Binder?
It can be seen at
http://www.my-history.co.uk/acatalog/Family_History_Book_Making.html
It looks a bit too springy to me, would like to hear your opinions,
Regards,
Abiam
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I had a springy stamp album - similar design. It gave my finger a nasty nip.
I found it difficult to keep the pages neatly lined up with one hand while manipulating the binder with the other.
Personally, I find ring binders much easier to use, especially when inserting odd pages into the middle of the stack.
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I've used similar binders.
The advantage is that you don't have to punch holes in the pages but as Philip says, it's hard to keep the pages lined up.
The other disadvantage is that you can't see the left edge of the sheets while they are in the binder.
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Phillip and Genie,
Thanks for those comments. I'm inclined to try one out as I can never get the holes lined up for punching. Also I want to use some decent paper which I know I'll mess up if I have to punch holes and then the pages will be uneven.
You have to alter your margins on one side every other page so that you can see it all. Open Office has just sorted that for me. Maybe if you have someone to help ie. You put in the pages lined up and somelse else clicks them in place.
I think I'm talking myself into it! If I do I'll let you know how it goes!,
Thanks again,
Abiam
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I bought one a few months ago. I hadn't seen them since I found an ancient one in my grandfather's office about 50 years ago (so I know they last!). Sadly it wasn't full of family history . . . :(
The big advantage over a ring binder is that it looks and feels more like a proper book, but you can still add or remove pages as your research progresses . . . . and the best (only) way to do that is to remove the whole lot, tap the edges on the table to square them up, then replace them all together.
Incidentally, I used to have problems aligning a hole punch . . . until I found one with a neat little plastic guide, adjustable for different paper sizes. ;)
Mike.
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I have used similar spring binders for other projects, have found them to be a bit annoying. I use, especially for FH, 4 ring binders, and plastic sleeves, I find that this makes it a lot easier to keep certs and so on in good nic. If I want to keep notes etc.. then I just use pre punched loose leaf paper.
Obviously once your research is completed(yeah like that will happen), then I would maybe look at a spring binder.
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Good Heavens
don't be paying £16 plus when you buy a ring binder very cheap.All my tree's are separate in one,If you do buy a ring binder don't do what i did years ago, and buy the first size that the kids use for school.I ended up having to replace my three binders for the much bigger ones because i couldn't get anymore in.The bigger ones are better anyway, more protection round the edges and they have a lock/catch to keep the pages tight so free from damage.If you need to add more papers you just unlatch it 8)
Celia
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4 ring binders, and plastic sleeves
Thats what ring binders are made for, ;D No one would put paper in a binder whitout a sleeve.No point in that ;D
Celia
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4 ring binders, and plastic sleeves
Thats what ring binders are made for, ;D No one would put paper in a binder whitout a sleeve.No point in that ;D
Celia
It's only in the last number of years that plastic sleeve are so readily available. When I first started researching my family they weren't in shops and we used paper and ring reinforcements to protect the punched holes.
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Depending on the type of plastic sleeve and the type of ink used in the printed sheets - do be careful if the material is something you will want to keep for a long time (very likely in the case of a family tree).
I recently threw out some ring binder sleeves, because I found the pages inside them had stuck to the plastic. Luckily it wasn't anything important, and wasn't too damaged. I learned my lesson, and now buy archival quality sleeves from my local Family History Centre, not too expensve either. Hope this is useful,
giraffe
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It's only in the last number of years that plastic sleeve are so readily available. When I first started researching my family they weren't in shops and we used paper and ring reinforcements to protect the punched holes.
I remember those reinforcements - they did take forever to use - I keep some things in plastic sleeves but I wonder about long term storage of same - I have had some pages "stick" - but perhaps that was old types of plastic - must ask Prue
I think the folders illustrated look nice - my Dad used a similar one (no printing on same) - he also used Manila folders inside it to separate different types of information, but to look at anything I do open it completely & remove the sections before reading.
Trish
Edit: Sorry giraffe - I obviously didn't read to the end before replying - I'm not the only one who is wary of the plastic sleeves
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If you decide to use ring binders, it is worth spending a little extra on the 4-ring type, and a 4-hole punch, rather than 2 . . . the added support helps avoid the holes ripping out after prolonged use. MyHistory also supply a nice A3, 4-ring folder plus inserts. (I have no connection with them, but I do like their customer service)
Here are a couple of other useful links for anyone serious about conserving (not sure if they're already provided elsewhere on RC)
http://www.preservationequipment.com
http://www.conservationregister.com/familydocuments.asp?id=4
Mike.
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Hello again,
I made the decision to go ahead and purchase a Springback Bookbinder. It arrived today and I am delighted with it!
There are one or two things to be aware of as mentioned previously.
A) Make sure you set the margins to be wider on the odd pages
(Open Office did that for me on already normally typed work.)
B) Don't attempt to add pages individually - take all the pages out,
put in the extras.
C) Have someone open the Springbinder as you line the pages up
by tapping on the table. When all the pages are squared up
replace in the binder.
Very simple and very professional, see photo's below,
Regards,
Abiam
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I'm glad you are satisfied with it ! If that's your book in the second picture, then obviously you have done a professional looking job, and the cost of spring binders are well worth it. Very impressive.
Now me ... well, I have the ring binders and plastic sleeves for 'finished' printed out stuff; proper photo albums for photos (acid free page liners and those photo corners); certs in labelled paper envelopes filed in the ring binders; things like old family letters are in those proper archive sleeves ... and the rest ? In a series of notebooks and odd scraps of paper in a box under my bed ! Oh, and everything is on my computer and also on a separate hard drive and a separate collection of discs.
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Hi Lydart,
Yes that's my book and I'm thrilled with it. But I'm by no way finished!!! This is just for one book for my Great, Great, Grand Uncle's story who was an early pioneer to Australia. And there is still more info to be found. This is why I am so pleased because, if you don't number the pages, you can add more if say some photo's turn up or new information.
I have just had a big clear out of "not needed stuff" and I'm wondering how long before I'm missing something of great importance! And if you could see my desk even after a clear out last week....... There won't be a photo of that on RC.
Regards,
Abiam