Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books
A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology

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paring machine

A hand-operated, power-driven machine used for paring leather to the required thickness. Any required width within the scope of the foot above the feed roll may be pared. The feed roll is always close to the inside edge of the circular knife (which is constantly sharpened by a grinding stone beneath it), but not touching. When the foot pedal is depressed, a feed roller propels the leather against the knife. The depth of cut is controlled by stops, which limit the distances between roller and knife edge. The leather pared falls away in thin scraps. In the use of the paring machine the condition of the skin is important; it must be flexible and pliable enough to bed down flat on the feed rollers, but if it is too soft or loose the fibers tear and drag rather than cut cleanly. (154 , 264 )




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