Thread Weight & Punch Size Testing

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Evaluated thread weights and punch sizes after two shipper-canceled orders halted progress, focusing on durability requirements for the upcoming 192-page prototype. Compared 18/3, 12/3, and 0.6–0.8 mm linen against 1 mm and 2 mm hole sizes to determine viable combinations for long-term strength in Coptic binding.

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Date: Friday October 31, 2025

Classification: Week 5 Day 5 | Craft Day

2 Orders Cancelled by Shipper. Why? No product. No timeline. Frustrating, yes. Today we'll choose analysis over agitation.

Thread Testing (18/3 = 0.52 mm baseline)

• 0.6–0.65 mm linen — waxed / unwaxed

• 12/3 linen — unwaxed

• Hole sizes (1 mm vs 2 mm) best pairings by thread weight

If I move up to a 2 mm punch, testing 12/3, 0.6 mm, and even 0.8 mm (Ritza 25 / Tiger) performance becomes important.

1 mm holes with 18/3 worked well overall on Piece 7. It’s tough, allows sufficient tightening, and periodic rewaxing keeps it stable.

That’s sufficient for smaller test cases, but I’m thinking ahead to the next prototype: 192 pages.

Durability, longevity, toughness. In a Coptic binding, a thread break at the center station versus head/tail could make a real difference in usability.

To test toughness, I may put Piece 7 through some deliberate wear this weekend.

Bottom Line

1 mm holes or 2 mm? 18/3 or 0.8 mm? Either way, flair means nothing if the book can’t survive its basic function, and testing cannot continue without the appropriate materials: which I currently do not have.

Today’s objective: source materials locally, if possible. Before I can move to the next phase, I need both the practice and hands-on experience to determine Prototype 2.0’s future.

1:14 p.m. Update

Failed to locate local supplies. A frustrating conclusion to the day. A short break is in order now that I'm back at the workstation. The search continues.