Build a High-Speed Book Scanner from Trash and Cheap Cameras

Now here is a project: instead of purchasing a book scanner for $15,000 to $100,000 or more, build your own from scrap parts and cheap digital cameras.

Digital books change the landscape. After suffering through scanning many of my old, rare, and government issue books, I decided to create a book scanner that anybody could make, for around $300.

You can find step-by-step instructions at: http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-High-Speed-Book-Scanner-from-Trash-and-Cheap-C.

Comments

[Larry]

Oh Dick please! Tell me you are also someone who buys and builds a kit car because it is cheaper! :)) You must want a super perfect copy and have LOTS of time on your hands. I get pretty good copies from my couple of hundred dollar HP All-in-one and when not doing books can auto feed sheets and print draft to photo quality.

A quick look on the internet had scanners with varying ease of use and safety to the books that were well under the $15,000 mark!

Oh well, you got me to reply, so that must be something.

Thanks for all your other good tips, etc.

[Chuck]

Slope sided book scanners are available now for really reasonable prices - well under $500. They are not high end, automatic but they have a mjor limitation - size. Anything larger than 8x11 and you're shot. These plans are really cool and as the 1st comment suggests - not for everyone but they ARE great for tinkerers (describes me to a tee). Thanks Dick!

[Phil Clark]

Plustek BookReader can be found on the internet for between $200 & $300. I've never used one but the reviews seem good?