A blank book can be a great way to hide something, whether it's a spare key, secret note, or money. Most people wouldn't think of going through your library looking for their own or personal items. It's also a great way to secretly give something to someone--the onlookers won't be suspicious and just think you're sharing some really good read!
Step
Step 1. Choose a book, preferably a thick book with a solid hard cover
(See 'tips' and 'warnings' first, on where to find the right book and not to choose books that are valuable/antique/popular/important).
Step 2. Select the first few pages you want to leave at the end of the project (plus a few more) and secure them to the front cover using plastic food wrap to prevent them from getting damaged by glue
These pages, except the last page, will not be cropped. This will make the book look like a real book when opened and will cover the hole itself.
Step 3. Mix a solution consisting of white glue and water
Make it a consistency that's just enough for the glue to flow, and that it's more easily absorbed by the edges of the book. Glue of 50% to 70% (with 30% to 50% water) or half of a 35mm roll film container will usually work well, but use your own judgment, depending on the thickness and size of the book. As another option, try a craft glue like Mod Podge.
Step 4. After the top cover and the first few pages are wrapped in food plastic, apply the glue solution on three sides of the book to allow sufficient absorption
This will keep the book pages together. Keep in mind: immediately clean the brush, or the brush will harden and become unusable for step 9.
Step 5. Place something heavy on top of the book to apply pressure
Let the book dry for 30 minutes.
Step 6. Open the book to see the first glued page
Draw a border 1.2 cm from the edge of the book, on all sides (including the spine). Drill holes in each corner of the box you just drew with your drill to the depth you want the hidden compartment to be. (This will make it easier to cut the page because the knife doesn't need to be turned 90 degrees). You can leave some of the glued bottom pages uncut.
Step 7. Cut along the inside of the drawn line using a straight-edged knife (a cutter for cutting cardboard works great)
Try to make the cut as straight as possible, or try tilting it so that the hole narrows as you cut. Using a ruler, as shown in the image, can be very helpful. Apply enough pressure to cut several pages at once. We recommend using a metal ruler.
Step 8. Continue cutting the sheets
Don't rush this step, because the more slowly and carefully you do it, the smoother and straighter the inner edges will be. Remove any pieces of paper from the inside that stick together when cutting.
Step 9. Sweep the glue solution on the inside edge of the hole and allow it to absorb
The glue will be clear when it dries, so don't worry if it drips a little. While waiting, apply a second coat of glue to the outer edge of the page.
Step 10. Blot the "frame" of the hole with a light coat of glue
The left page will be glued just above the hole, so it will basically cover it (for now).
Step 11. Close the book again, this time without a divider
Let it dry for 15-30 minutes. In this drying process, the left page will stick to the holes as described in the previous step.
Step 12. Cut the pages left on the edges of the holes neatly so that the holes are visible and can be re-entered
The inside of the book may remain damp because the book is closed as it dries. Now is a good time to let the book dry while it's open.
Step 13. Check to make sure each section of the book is completely dry
Touch it with your fingers, and when you're sure the book is dry, fill it with your valuables, close the book, and place it on the bookshelf. Only you will know this book has a secret compartment!
Tips
- Use a metal ruler (or a wooden ruler with metal edges) as a guide for cutting. The illustration shows a plastic ruler, but the knife can scratch the plastic (or wood), which will damage the ruler and the project.
- You may be able to find used books for free from a library that is setting aside its archives. But don't use books from your family's home library - they may be valuable antiques, and someone can start looking for them.
- If your hole is a little too small, you can sand the edges, but this will make it feel a little hairy depending on the sandpaper.
- The Dremel will do a quick job of 30-40 pages at a time, and sometimes the heat from the cutting disc will burn the inner edges, resulting in smooth brown lines on the inside. (See Warning)
- Before you start, plan the size of the hole, so that it doesn't turn out too small for the item you want to store.
- If you're wondering, "What's the point of leaving the last page to be glued on top of it, then cutting it just like the rest of the pages?" The goal is to cover the lines you drew earlier to cut the book to create compartments. It also allows the book to close tightly, putting pressure on the pages as the inside dries. It's important that the book closes properly when it's finished.
- Make sure you only use books with hard covers. If the book has a thin cover, the back of the book will also be cut off. However, if you are careful, you can use a thin cover or even a flexible cover book.
- Make a hole in the book using a drill to place the cable inside the book for charging the secret cell phone (as shown below). Put a little glue in the hole to seal the page.
- If you're using a flexible back cover, place a hard surface that won't cut easily between the back cover and the last page.
- Glue the last page on the book cover using glue to ensure the book is tightly sealed.
Warning
- Try adding a closing mechanism to keep your book closed such as magnets, belt buckles, or buttons. Otherwise, everything you put in it will fall!
- When choosing a book, make sure it's not a book you like and someone will read again. Also make sure it's not a book that other people might want to see, as it can be hard to come up with an excuse why you shouldn't let them read.
- Blank books are not effective against law enforcement.
- While the Dremel cuts quickly, you could accidentally cut past the back of the book. Be aware that this will burn the pages of the book, and the smoke will smell unpleasant, depending on the type of paper in the book. The depth of cut is also limited by the radius of the cutting disc. You will need to remove pages between cuts to cut deeper.
- Burnt paper often contains dioxin, which is a strong carcinogen: Make sure you have ventilation in the room, and perhaps place a fan blowing at the book while working to keep harmful fumes from getting in your face.
- Cutting used books can remove a lot of old, foreign, and possibly dangerous contaminated items contained in the dust. Dust particles can stick together for years, contain bacteria, as well as chemicals. Depending on your cutting method, you may find a little or a lot of dust in the air. It is recommended that you cut in a well-ventilated area, or preferably use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, and most importantly use a dust mask that can filter inhaled dust particles. Goggles can also be used to prevent dust from getting into the eye, and to protect against particles (eg small stones, small metal particles from an old rusty pipe) that can escape from behind the blade into the eye. Especially if using a motorized device, such as a Dremel, dust will fill the air, so keep all doors closed, to minimize the spread of dust particles.
