How to transplant SteelBook™ spines?

[kaliraver]

I am sure somebody will be able to enlighten me on how to transplant SteelBook™ spines from one SteelBook™ to another? I know how to swap the inner trays, but haven't had any luck at transplanting the spines and am afraid of trying it before I get some directions. Any help would be appreciated.

[mr. b]

You are going to think I'm crazy, but you will have to boil it!

Send Blu-Boy in BKK (aka The SteelBook Surgeon) a pm, or just wait for him to post. He'll fill you in with greater detail, but in a nutshell:

1. Remove the front and back covers from the SteelBook
2. Get a nice large pot of water and place it on the stove.
3. Get the water boiling.
4. Place the plastic SteelBook insert with the spine into the water.
5. Add some salt for taste (optional, hehe!)

I haven't actually done it yet, but that's what Blu-Boy does. You'll need something to slip between the spine and the plastic, like a dull knife or maybe even a plastic one. The glue that holds the spine is heated with the water, making it loose. You might also try a blow dryer, but I don't know if anyone has done this yet with success. When I do some conversions, I was going to play around to see if a blow dryer will work just as good as boiling water.

You could simply try to pry it loose with a thin flat object like a dull knife (I wouldn't use a sharp one 'cos of the plastic), but from what I've heard before Blu-Boy's trick, the metal spine will curl as you are removing it. This will make it a pain to straighten out and re-apply to the new insert.

To re-apply, double sided sticky tape is what I think Blu-Boy uses.

[Blu-Boy in BKK]

You are indeed correct Benny. Try using a small plastic tool (not metal) to avoid using a knife.

Heres a link to my photo tutorial. http://thadump.net/sbhunterz/index.php?topic=3733.100

[JudasPainkill3r]

Cool, i remember seeing this a couple months back. I think i have a couple projects on my hands.

Blu Boy, where did you get the spine stickers? I'm thinking of doing UP and Monsters Inc.

[richfell]

I'm very interested in seeing this in action.

We need step by step pictures I think.

[kaliraver]

Originally Posted by Blu-Boy in BKK

You are indeed correct Benny. Try using a small plastic tool (not metal) to avoid using a knife.

Heres a link to my photo tutorial. http://thadump.net/sbhunterz/index.php?topic=3733.100

Thanks Blu-Boy, that helps a lot! It is giving me courage to do this sooner rather than later. BTW, does anyone know where to get that sticky vinyl printing paper in the states (stores)?

[Blu-Boy in BKK]

Originally Posted by Wings of Steel

Cool, i remember seeing this a couple months back. I think i have a couple projects on my hands.

Blu Boy, where did you get the spine stickers? I'm thinking of doing UP and Monsters Inc.

PM me your email address and I will send you the files.

[Rantlers]

Originally Posted by Blu-Boy in BKK

You are indeed correct Benny. Try using a small plastic tool (not metal) to avoid using a knife.

Heres a link to my photo tutorial. http://thadump.net/sbhunterz/index.php?topic=3733.100

Hey, nice job! If we can do this for the upcoming Jumbo Lord Of The Rings FS Steelbook I'll give it a shot.

[bigjee]

Originally Posted by Blu-Boy in BKK

You are indeed correct Benny. Try using a small plastic tool (not metal) to avoid using a knife.

Heres a link to my photo tutorial. http://thadump.net/sbhunterz/index.php?topic=3733.100

Hi BKK,

Excellent guide however I have one question:

In picture 3 the plastic disc holder just has space for 2 discs.
But in Pic 17, you are using a 3-disc holder. (its not similar to the Gladiator or the UP disc holders or am I missing something?).

Thanks again and I don't know how many hours of ruined steelbooks this method took for you to perfect.

[Blu-Boy in BKK]

I had been so eager to get the job done that I forgot to take pics. So I had to reconstruct some pics.
Worked first time, every time. No wastage.

[kaliraver]

Originally Posted by Blu-Boy in BKK

I had been so eager to get the job done that I forgot to take pics. So I had to reconstruct some pics.
Worked first time, every time. No wastage.

How long did you keep the spine soaking in the boiling water?

[Kory]

I usually do it for about 3-3.5 minutes, and it works great. I also used the dull side of an x-acto knife to remove the spine, and that worked fine.

[20053436]

OMG!!!
COOOOOL!!!
BTW, i wonder where we can buy this frame only...

[roach_rch]

My guess is: nowhere

[lolototo]

Maybe the only option is to find some cheap Snow White SteelBook cases from ebay.

[che84]

Theres gotta be a site on nett that only sells the covers.

[kaliraver]

Originally Posted by che84

There's gotta be a site on net that only sells the covers.

Even if you could get one, you still would need the spine from a SteelBook to put the spine artwork externally and in the interior spine as well.

[mr. b]

Originally Posted by kaliraver69

Even if you could get one, you still would need the spine from a SteelBook to put the spine artwork externally and in the interior spine as well.

I don't know if I am reading that right. You do know that the spine is just one piece of metal, right? The artwork that you see inside on the spine is painted on the underside of the spine that is glued on the outside.

Originally Posted by che84

Theres gotta be a site on nett that only sells the covers.

Good luck finding the inserts on the net sans any metal covers or metal spine. Scanavo is the one that makes them, and they don't sell them unless it's with an official SteelBook release w/ covers and all. You would pretty much have to know someone on the inside of Scanavo that could get them for you, and even then, they might not be willing or able to do it. Like lolototo said, your best bet is to score some cheap Snow Whites or maybe even some Bonds (some were 2-discers), or you could also hunt for damaged SteelBooks.

[kaliraver]

Originally Posted by mr. b

I don't know if I am reading that right. You do know that the spine is just one piece of metal, right? The artwork that you see inside on the spine is painted on the underside of the spine that is glued on the outside.

I am aware it is one piece, but I am was talking about was even if they can find the inner SteelBook trays, they would need the metal piece to put the spine artwork. Otherwise it wouldn't look right without that metal spine.

[mr. b]

Originally Posted by kaliraver69

I am aware it is one piece, but I am was talking about was even if they can find the inner SteelBook trays, they would need the metal piece to put the spine artwork. Otherwise it wouldn't look right without that metal spine.

Ah, ok. I guess if one was thinning out a jumbo, and all they could get their hands on was an insert with no metal on it what-so-ever, they could cut up the large jumbo metal spine to fit. I don't think I'd bother trying, but I guess it's possible.