Author Topic: The perils of buying FASA books (Read 2918 times)

Sartris · « **on:** 14 December 2018, 14:32:43 »

I got what looked like one of the better condition FASA House Marik books on ebay recently. It did indeed look good until i opened it and the glue in the spine snapped like a popsicle stick. Now i have several House Marik booklets.

going to make the best of it and get some archival-quality page sleeves to put it in a binder

Garrand · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 December 2018, 14:46:10 »

I had the same thing happen to a House Liao book I got several years ago, as well as a volume of Ultimate X-men (so its not just a FASA thing). I used E6000 glue IIRC to reglue the pages to the binding. Though it depends if all the pages separated or not...on mine they didn't & it was a fairly straightforward glue job.

Damon.

Empyrus · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 December 2018, 14:51:07 »

Is glue-binding a problem in a lot of older books? I don't have many such books, i think, so i don't know really. But makes me wonder what kind of care one should take with storing books like that.

Cubby · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 December 2018, 14:54:54 »

Quote from: Empyrus on 14 December 2018, 14:51:07

Is glue-binding a problem in a lot of older books? I don't have many such books, i think, so i don't know really. But makes me wonder what kind of care one should take with storing books like that.

Yeah, I've had problems like that on several books. One was a NAIS 4th SW Vol. 2 where the glue on the cover had gotten old and cracked the cover separate from the textblock. At least one of my House books has a page or two loose.

Glue works pretty well, even basic Elmer's brand paper craft glue from a craft store (just get the stuff specifically meant for paper). From the sound of it, Sartris, you may be able to check out some tutorial articles or videos and make a repair. Glue the cover seam, place the separated signatures into it carefully and evenly, then rubberbands around it both ways, and place it vertically between two heavy boxes, short-spine-edge down.

Red Pins · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 December 2018, 14:56:22 »

There are fixes, you know. I'm on a tablet and can't give you instructions but I've explained how before. Search for 'book binding ' here or online. It's remarkably easy.

Sartris · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 December 2018, 15:09:03 »

maybe i'll look at rebinding, though I flunked out of being allowed to do the book restoration stuff when i worked at the library in college

Kit deSummersville · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 December 2018, 15:43:47 »

They lasted longer than my first Player's Handbook. Five years and the glue failed one that one!

Phobos101 · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 December 2018, 17:57:34 »

Sadly it's not limited to the old FASA stuff. I've got a copy of Sword and Dragon that more represents a loose leaf folio, and my Strategic Operations, although still in one piece, is in desperate need of a spinal re-gluing. Oddly, all my FASA and Fanpro stuff is still in once piece.

The_Caveman · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 December 2018, 18:05:48 »

My BMR 1st Ed had the spine fail after only about 2 or 3 years. It got a lot of use in middle school.

Meanwhile I have a Second Edition rulebook that is still holding together quite well and a Compendium that is in pristine shape.

Firesprocket · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 December 2018, 18:08:21 »

I opened up my house marik book for only the second time recently (bought it use) and the glue gave a nice crackling sounds. It didn't come comepletly loose though. It just happens with age.

Sartris · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 December 2018, 18:12:34 »

Quote from: Phobos101 on 14 December 2018, 17:57:34

Sadly it's not limited to the old FASA stuff. I've got a copy of Sword and Dragon that more represents a loose leaf folio, and my Strategic Operations, although still in one piece, is in desperate need of a spinal re-gluing. Oddly, all my FASA and Fanpro stuff is still in once piece.

Yeah it’s all over the place. My copy of reunification war has an iffy cover. But I have a second printing of TW I got in 2007 that I’ve used in hundreds of games is still in great shape. I do know that a lot of people have had corebook issues with binding, especially TO and SO.

The only FASA stuff I’ve run into trouble with is the pre 90s stuff. Whoever FASA was using as a printer starting with the compendium or so made quality stuff

Quote from: Firesprocket on 14 December 2018, 18:08:21

I opened up my house marik book for only the second time recently (bought it use) and the glue gave a nice crackling sounds. It didn't come comepletly loose though. It just happens with age.

Yeah, crackling and a few loose pages I expect. I was not ready for the thing to come completely apart

MoneyLovinOgre4Hire · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 December 2018, 21:49:09 »

Quote from: Kit deSummersville on 14 December 2018, 15:43:47

They lasted longer than my first Player's Handbook. Five years and the glue failed one that one!

Hey, for a while when 3rd Edition was in print, there were some books I got where the glue failed in less than a week.

Deadborder · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 December 2018, 00:14:55 »

Palladium Books seem to have bindings designed to survive a nuclear apocalypse. I have 35-odd year old TMNT books that have never lost a page

truetanker · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 December 2018, 00:43:34 »

I think my Rifts books are glued and sewed!

Just wish my MW1 book survived it's fall, last week it dropped from a one foot height and split the bind in half... I'm tendering it with an epoxy clear tape with added micro-thread backing to it.

TT

idea weenie · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 December 2018, 15:23:51 »

Fantasy Flight Games - Black Crusade book
They used a plastic spine inside, instead of cloth or anything else that was flexible. Result = lots of books cracking the plastic piece and pages coming loose, held only by the strings

pheonixstorm · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 December 2018, 20:32:29 »

BT Compendium still holding strong.
4th print (iirc) Total Warfare... not so much.

Even my really old original D&D compendium is holding up better than my copy of TW ???

Lord Cameron · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 December 2018, 00:57:06 »

I imagine the storage conditions would factor in too

DarkLloyd · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 December 2018, 17:38:55 »

I've noticed that happens more in colder and less humid climes.
I don't really have that problem with my books here in Florida though.

Sartris · « **Reply #18 on:** 18 December 2018, 19:04:18 »

I’ve decided the best course of action is to just never open any of my BT books ever again

truetanker · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 December 2018, 19:05:52 »

So PDF only?

TT

Sartris · « **Reply #20 on:** 18 December 2018, 19:17:57 »

Quote from: truetanker on 18 December 2018, 19:05:52

So PDF only?

TT

I’m a collector so I get both. The dtf is just for show. Mostly because searchable PDFs are a thing

rebs · « **Reply #21 on:** 18 December 2018, 19:32:29 »

My House Kurita book held up good over many years of reading and reference. However, it's been years since I opened it (not even sure where it's at). Pdfs are too handy.

beachhead1985 · « **Reply #22 on:** 19 December 2018, 10:32:17 »

I've run into this with many older books.

Interestingly; issues of Gun Digest from the 70s still hold together just fine....hmmm...

Charistoph · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 December 2018, 19:45:50 »

Quote from: DarkLloyd on 17 December 2018, 17:38:55

I've noticed that happens more in colder and less humid climes.
I don't really have that problem with my books here in Florida though.

Also happens in the hot and arid climes as well. I can't tell you how many books I've had slip their backing simply because they sat in my car's oven for a day or two while I was at work.

Mech Salvager · « **Reply #24 on:** 20 December 2018, 16:24:21 »

Yeah...exact same thing happend to the House Liao book I bought...might look into some of the solutions mentioned here. It has only happend to some of my oldest books though.

Matti · « **Reply #25 on:** 21 December 2018, 16:35:53 »

I had ordered The Periphery book, and when I got it, it was in far better condition than my first Total Warfare! I haven't had disappointments with build quality of old books. Actual contents on other hand... Gray Death Legion book so doesn't match with the novels, Eridani Light Horse roster in Mercenary Handbook don't have the hardware that are in later books etc. etc.