BINDER'S CUTTING-PRESS, is a machine used equally by book-binders, stationers, and pasteboard-makers, and con-
sists of two large pieces of wood, in the form of checks, connected by two strong wooden screws, which, being turned by an iron bar, draw together, or set asunder, the checks, as much as is necessary for putting in the books or paper to be cut. The checks are placed lengthwise on a wooden stand, in the form of a chest, into which the cuttings fall. Beside the checks are two pieces of wood, of the same length with the screws, and which serve to direct the checks, and prevent their opening unequally. Upon the checks moves the plough, to which the cutting-knife is fastened by a screw; and this knife has its key to dismount it, when it requires to be sharpened.
The plough consists of several parts, and amongst the rest a wooden screw or worm, which, catching within the nuts of the two feet that sustain it on the checks, brings the knife to the book or paper, that is fastened in the press between two boards. This screw, which is pretty long, has two directories, which resemble those of the screws of the press. To make the plough slide square and even upon the checks, so that the knife may make an equal paring, the foot of the plough where the knife is not fixed, slides in a kind of groove, fastened along one of the checks. Lastly, the knife is a piece of steel, six or seven inches in length, flat, thin, and sharp, terminating at one end in a point, like that of a sword, and at the other in a square form, which serves to fasten it to the plough.