BEADING.—The small twist formed when twisting the silk or cotton in head-banding.
BEATING HAMMER.—The heavy short-handled hammer used in beating (generally about 10 lbs.).
BEATING STONE.—The bed on which books are beaten.
BEVELLED BOARDS.—Very heavy boards with bevelled edges; used for antique work.
BLEED.—When a book has been cut down into the print it is said to have been bled.
BLIND-TOOLED.—When a book has been impressed with tools |174| without being gilt, it is said to be “blind-tooled” or “antique.”
BLOCKING PRESS.—Another and more general term for the arming press; one of the chief implements used in cloth work. Used for finishing the side of a cover by a mechanical process.
BLOCKS OR BLOCKING TOOLS.—An engraved stamp used for finishing by means of the blocking press.
BOARDS.—Are of various kinds, each denoting the work it is intended for, such as pressing boards, backing, cutting, burnishing, gilding, etc.
BODKIN.—A strong and short point of steel fixed in a wooden handle, for making the holes through the mill-boards. The slips upon the back of the book are laced through the holes for attaching the mill-board to the book.