Making A Pen Case

[Tinjapan]

Michael,

 

Read your posts from over the weekend. As much as I am looking foreward to getting the case you are making for me, the main purpose in all these is your therepy. Do what you can when you can and no more. No deadlines.

 

It is my hope that I can in a small way aid you in your recovery, I surely do not wish to impede.

 

On to the kydex issue. Can it be 'welded' at the seams? If so I have an idea but will have to draw it out.

[my63]

Hi Michael,

 

I also wanted to add- I have been using the case you made me every day. I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to take my pen everywhere with me without worry that it will be damaged. Not to mention the case just looks plain cool. I wouldn't trust any of my pens in any of the other offerings I have seen.

 

 

Back to your new cases: how do you think a flat top design would look ?

Thanks Sblakers

It is great to hear that my cases are used I noticed your avatar picture it looks great, I can assure you it is the only case I have ever made in that colour scheme.

I have not thought about a flat top / bottom case but it is worth looking at.

Once I have caught up I am going to have a go at some three pen cases with kydex liner of course.

Thanks

Michael

[my63]

Michael,

 

Read your posts from over the weekend. As much as I am looking foreward to getting the case you are making for me, the main purpose in all these is your therepy. Do what you can when you can and no more. No deadlines.

 

It is my hope that I can in a small way aid you in your recovery, I surely do not wish to impede.

 

On to the kydex issue. Can it be 'welded' at the seams? If so I have an idea but will have to draw it out.

Thanks for the concern those awaiting cases have been very patient and to be honest the only person applying pressure is myself.

 

Kydex is a thermal plastic when heated to the correct temperature it becomes extremely malleable I thought I had found a superglue that worked but the latest batch of kydex does not stick as well as the previous batches.

I went to a local plastic supplier who have been very helpful in the past and they suggested I try a solvent adhesive used by plumbers on plastic pipes.

So in answer to your question I think it can be welded with the correct solvent adhesive I just have not found it yet.

 

I look forward to hearing your Idea

 

Michael

[my63]

Wow, just stumbled on this thread and have to say that your work and craftsmanship are very impressive. Fantastic, Michael. Those cases look they could withstand a truck rolling over them (well, maybe not that much). The pens in there will certainly be well protected. Great job and thanks for the great step-by-step posts.

Sorry I did think I had replied to your post but I cant find it.

Maybe I should do some sort of test to discover just how strong the cases are, it just seems a shame to spend all that time making one and then destroying it.

I don't think you could run over it without damage but I would certainly think it could cope with being dropped or maybe stood on.

Thanks for the compliments

Michael

[Tinjapan]

Thanks for the concern those awaiting cases have been very patient and to be honest the only person applying pressure is myself.

 

Kydex is a thermal plastic when heated to the correct temperature it becomes extremely malleable I thought I had found a superglue that worked but the latest batch of kydex does not stick as well as the previous batches.

I went to a local plastic supplier who have been very helpful in the past and they suggested I try a solvent adhesive used by plumbers on plastic pipes.

So in answer to your question I think it can be welded with the correct solvent adhesive I just have not found it yet.

 

I look forward to hearing your Idea

 

I will try to get it drawn up and posted soon, but as this is my first week back on a full schedule at all of my schools, it may take a little while. I should be able to sketch and snap a quick pic with my iPad though....

[my63]

I mentioned this project earlier and thought you might like to see the progress it is called Shotgun Chess a vintage Staunton chess set and a bag of used shotgun shells

 

I had ground out the first few and it was taking forever, As the insides were plastic I got out my trusty hot air gun and gave one a quick blast and as it softened I was able to pull it out.

So I did all 32 pieces in one afternoon as I had the multi tool out I made the holes in the centre being sad I sat last night and started gluing them in place

 

IMG_7047 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_7048_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am making this for a UK charity that rescues working dogs so it seemed an appropriate project.

 

I know it is off topic but normal posts will resume soon.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[kiavonne]

Very well done, Michael!

[dragonaura]

Don't destroy your hard work! And also don't push yourself too hard. If you need to take a break from this don't hesitate, I'm sure everyone on this thread would be happy to wait to see more progress if it the best option for you at the time.

If you really want to test the strength could you mold the kydex into the approximate shape, harden it, then test it? It would save the trouble of sewing the leather and might give an idea of how strong they are.

[my63]

Don't destroy your hard work! And also don't push yourself too hard. If you need to take a break from this don't hesitate, I'm sure everyone on this thread would be happy to wait to see more progress if it the best option for you at the time.

If you really want to test the strength could you mold the kydex into the approximate shape, harden it, then test it? It would save the trouble of sewing the leather and might give an idea of how strong they are.

Thanks for your concern my hand and elbow have settled following the injections,

I have done no leather work for the last week although I have done a few small jobs around the house and garden.

My standard case uses the leather to join the front piece of kydex which is sandwiched between two pieces of leather to the rear piece which is also sandwiched between two pieces of leather,

This method ensures that the pen can never come into contact with the hard kydex.

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[my63]

I cant believe how long it is since I made any progress on this case.

My original plan was for the pen section to be the same length as the notebook section at the time I was not thinking how the pens would be removed so the pen section has now been shortened to match the length of the longest pen plus 5 mm.

 

sorry the image I wanted to post here will not post ! it showed the pen section on its own

 

I have shaped the flap and just need to square off the end.

 

The next picture shows how the components will fit together there is a flap to the left of the picture so the right side will fold in then the left side will fold over that and fasten

 

IMG_7067 by my0771, on Flickr.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Edited April 20, 2014 by my63

[my63]

I have made good progress with this case today three components have been glued together in the correct position (I hope) ready for sewing.

 

Very quickly I arrived at one of those hold your breath moment the fastener needs to be attached before I join the inner and outer sections.

 

These are the components of the catch

 

IMG_7068 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I cut slots in the leather to allow the fasteners to be assembled

 

IMG_7070 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here the attached fastener notice how much darker the blue is under artificial light

 

IMG_7072 by my0771, on Flickr

 

the note book holder appears to have shrunk slightly it might be very difficult to attach I may have to make another.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[kiavonne]

This is really shaping up.

 

I wonder though, leather does eventually give a little. Since the notebook is hardbound and can take a little stress, a little moisture on the leather of the holder to allow it to fit and dry again may be the trick instead of making another holder? Or a little moisture to stretch for sewing?

Edited April 20, 2014 by kiavonne

[my63]

Thanks Kiavonne

The notebook I am using as a template is still sealed I was thinking the stretch in the leather would make for a snug fit once the wrapping is taken off and the book expands.

After sewing I will wet the leather and see if it will stretch to fit before I unseal the notebook.

[theverdictis]

Absolutely amazing, great work!

 

Ben

[theverdictis]

I cant believe how long it is since I made any progress on this case.

My original plan was for the pen section to be the same length as the notebook section at the time I was not thinking how the pens would be removed so the pen section has now been shortened to match the length of the longest pen plus 5 mm.

 

sorry the image I wanted to post here will not post ! it showed the pen section on its own

 

I have shaped the flap and just need to square off the end.

 

The next picture shows how the components will fit together there is a flap to the left of the picture so the right side will fold in then the left side will fold over that and fasten

 

IMG_7067 by my0771, on Flickr.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Really nice work and great pictures as well. Really like the colour of the material, and a good idea for to have a note book to hand as well.

 

Ben

[theverdictis]

I mentioned this project earlier and thought you might like to see the progress it is called Shotgun Chess a vintage Staunton chess set and a bag of used shotgun shells

 

I had ground out the first few and it was taking forever, As the insides were plastic I got out my trusty hot air gun and gave one a quick blast and as it softened I was able to pull it out.

So I did all 32 pieces in one afternoon as I had the multi tool out I made the holes in the centre being sad I sat last night and started gluing them in place

 

IMG_7047 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_7048_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am making this for a UK charity that rescues working dogs so it seemed an appropriate project.

 

I know it is off topic but normal posts will resume soon.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Wow, you are really talented. Showing great wood work skills here.

 

Ben

[my63]

Sorry ben I did not make the chess set it is a vintage Staunton set I bought it from the bay.

 

Michael

[kiavonne]

The re-purposing of the shells along with a vintage chess set - I think that is a wonderful idea for creating a nice charity project. I have to look for things like that around here. Makes me think about what I can do.

[my63]

Side one sewn so far so good 15 cm has taken most of the afternoon I am trying to sew with the book in place stretching the leather as I go.

 

IMG_7079 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

After spending three hours on one side with the book in place I took the book out and made much faster progress the notebook holder is now sewn in place the next step will be to sew the pen case down then I can think about joining the inside to the outer cover.

 

IMG_7083 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael