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DIY book safe
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4.95 from 17 votes

DIY Book Safe

Learn how to make a book safe the easiest way possible, with Mod Podge.
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time2 hours
Dry Time6 hours
Total Time8 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 1 safe
Cost: $2

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

  • Decide how deep you would like your safe to be. I mentioned there was about 1 1/2" inches worth of pages in my book. I held about 1/4" worth of pages at the front of the book and then 1/4" worth of pages at the back to be the bottom.
    Hand flipping the book pages
  • Clip approximately 1/4" of pages to the front cover of the book using clothespins or clamps.
    Clip the book open with clothespins
  • Using a ruler and pen or pencil, draw a rectangle that will be used as your cutting template. Leave at least 1/2" around all sides that will serve as the edges.
    Drawing a rectangle shape to cut using a ruler and pen
  • Clamp the pages down that you'll be cutting.
    Clamps holding the book pages down
  • Using the ruler and craft knife, make cuts on the lines you drew. Go as deep as the knife will let you go; don't try to do too many pages at once.
    Using a craft knife to cut into the book pages
  • You'll be cutting out 10 - 20 pages at a time with a craft knife. Once you've cut out several pages worth, remove them.
    Cutting and removing book pages
  • Before flipping the pages of your book safe to make additional cuts, use the previous cuts as a template - draw another rectangle with your pen just inside the rectangle.
    Tracing the previously cut portion of the book with a pen
  • Flip the pages you've already cut and reclamp the book. Use the ruler and craft knife to cut additional pages. Complete this process over and over. Repeat cutting and removing pages until the recess is as deep as you would like, leaving at least 1/4" of pages at the back of the book.
    Additional pages cut out of the book safe
  • To prevent the Mod Podge from seeping into the back of the book, use painter's tape to tape down the back cover. Hold up the front pages of the book in front of the recessed portion.
    Securing the back cover of the book to prevent Mod Podge seepage
  • Apply Mod Podge around the pages of the book using a paintbrush. Apply one coat all the way around, let dry. Repeat.
    Applying Mod Podge to the edge of the book
  • To finish, apply Mod Podge to the inside rim of the recess as shown. Go around the rim with the paintbrush and let dry. Repeat. You don't need to go on top of the pages.
    apply Mod Podge to the inside rim of the recess as shown
  • Let dry completely - leave open - before using.
    diy secret safe with a book

Video