Making A Pen Case

[Dr_P]

Nice job! And the cases are beautiful!

 

Congratulations and thank you for posting all the photos.

 

Dr_P

[scrivelry]

For the second one you've made it is utterly amazing.

 

I am just not able to put together in my head what you mean = I will be waiting to see what it looks like when it is there!

 

T

[discopig]

That case looks awesome, great job.

[my63]

Thanks for the kind comments I really do appreciate them.

I am going to make some more I have made a wooden form to help me with the stitching as I think the red case was spoilt by the stitching,

To be honest I have considered cutting out the stitching and trying again but I think you would be able to see the holes anyway.

I went to the leather supplier as it was close to the vets where Stan was having an operation. I was proud of the fact that I only bought what I needed.

So I will also be making a case from fine veg tanned leather I am also thinking of having a go at vacuum forming.

 

Thanks again

 

Michael

[my63]

This is the stitching template that I have made to help me stitch in a straight line.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/10707389744_462f75aaea_z.jpg
IMG_5550 by my0771, on Flickr

 

One of the other issues I faced was the kydex both heating and molding or should it be moulding anyway I had problems with it.

My last attempt I clamped the kydex with pieces of oak screwed to the plywood of my negative mold unfortunately it moved during the process.

 

I searched the internet for a solution that did not involve building a vacuum system I was not successful rather than get into vacuum forming in a big way I decided to try a more low tec way first.

 

I got out my big staple gun and fired some heavy duty staples into the plywood to fix the kydex into place while I heated it and through the forming process.

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/10707342505_6478dd4ac3_z.jpg
IMG_5557 by my0771, on Flickr

 

next time I will ad more staples

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/10707399874_c1bf138579_z.jpg
IMG_5553 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Although I am only interested in the top section although it might have been useful to fold the base over rather than add another piece later.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[persco]

Michael,

 

I think it was my review of Dave Hauser's kydex-reinforced leather pen case that you referred to. Your work is really impressive. If you can get the kydex to work, it's pretty amazing to have in the case. Like a bullet-proof jacket for the pen. I am super happy with it. The case almost feels like a high end Goodyear welted shoe (the sort the English are so famous for!).

 

Keep posting your progress on this project. It's an awesome thread.

 

scott

[my63]

Hi Scott

Yes indeed it was your review of Daves fantastic case that inspired me to have a go myself.

I now have some thin veg tanned leather but I think I will make a new mold as the current one is flat on the top.

The kydex is tricky to work with and it is possible I may need to adopt some form of vacuum system.

Can I ask does your case have kydex all the way around or is it just the front.

Thanks

Michael

[my63]

To make improvements to the design I have rounded over one of my molds to remove the flat spot.

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/10744170554_9ea64a13d0_z.jpg
IMG_5572 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am much happier with this shape and I seem to be getting used to heating the kydex I did not staple this piece down I simply held the hot air gun further away.

 

I spent some time at my leather suppliers the other day when I wanted to buy the hide for this case http://www.leprevo.co.uk/

They are a very friendly bunch who are happy to offer advice. I bought the best hide they had for the purpose I explained to them.

As it is veg tanned it is quite easy to mold to the required shape by holding it under a running tap until it is wet then allowing 15 to 30 mins for the water to soak in.

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/10744388633_1db8278cb8_z.jpg
IMG_5584 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once the water has soaked in I placed it into the same mold the kydex had just been taken out of and left it to dry.

 

This is my inner lining I then put the kydex back into the mold and added the second piece of leather which will be the outer layer of leather.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/10745585116_01078aaf99_z.jpg
IMG_5589 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the inner lining taken off the mold

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/10745595586_69a251f9f4_z.jpg
IMG_5593 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see the leather has held the shape really well

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/10745615554_e01157b234_z.jpg
IMG_5592 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I will roughen up both sides of the kydex and glue these three pieces together I will make the piece of kydex for the back and sandwich those three pieces together and then stitch all six pieces together.

 

I am beginning to understand how these items are so expensive to buy because they take some time to make and there is a lot of wasted time waiting for items to dry. fortunately I have a few projects running at the same time.

 

While I was at the leather suppliers I decided to have a go at making some dog collars our foster dog Stanley was a working dog and did not have a collar. So I made him this

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/10727360565_217c23e089_z.jpg
IMG_5565 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I explained to the staff that he was a rescue dog so they found some high quality Italian belt leather so I bought enough to make four 1 for Stanley and one each for my own dogs.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

 

 

[persco]

Hi Scott

Yes indeed it was your review of Daves fantastic case that inspired me to have a go myself.

I now have some thin veg tanned leather but I think I will make a new mold as the current one is flat on the top.

The kydex is tricky to work with and it is possible I may need to adopt some form of vacuum system.

Can I ask does your case have kydex all the way around or is it just the front.

Thanks

Michael

 

To be honest, I have no idea. The kydex is utterly invisible, sandwiched between two layers of leather. Only Dave Hauser knows how he made this.

[my63]

Thanks Scott

Earlier on today I started to assemble the components there were three pieces for the top section and three for the lower section.

Two pieces of leather and a piece of kydex.

I used pva glue to stick the pieces together before bringing the top and bottom sections together again using pva to hold them together.

 

I did not take many pictures this is the top and bottom sections being glued together prior to sewing.

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/10766816436_1028dc0e67_z.jpg
IMG_5608 by my0771, on Flickr

 

In this case the kydex is sandwiched between the pieces of leather the stitching will hold the front and back together.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/10766749075_8cb987cdbc_z.jpg
IMG_5610 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After assembly I allowed the glue to dry and started again late in the afternoon I marked out the holes and used a diamond shaped punch to make the holes.

Then it was just a case of stitching it all together and I ended up with this.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/10767030743_b1eccf67fc_z.jpg
IMG_5612 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The whole point of making this case is to hold this pen which I think it does very well

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7376/10767040093_bfd6b2d0b6_z.jpg
IMG_5615 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am much happier with the stitching I have a template the hole punching chisel follows. I still need to do a little sanding of the edges

This is just plain veg tanned leather I have some wax that I thought might darken the colour a little it might need some dye.

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/10766834976_ecdb30c02f_z.jpg
IMG_5616 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/10766870966_94cc292e3d_z.jpg
IMG_5621 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Inkysloth]

These are great to see - you're a very skilled bloke!

 

My first & second (and often third, fourth) goes at things don't come out as well as your initial tries.

 

How much are your material costs? I'm seriously tempted at trying this out too, as I can't afford a ready made case like this,

 

Best wishes

[my63]

Thanks for the kind words inkysloth.

 

I would estimate £10 would cover the cost of materials although the leather is usually only sold by the hide I used off cuts for the first two cases and bought a veg tanned goat hide for £28.

 

Please feel free to ask any questions I will help you in any way I can.

 

Michael

[alc3261]

Very nice!!

[Inkysloth]

Thanks for the kind words inkysloth.

 

I would estimate £10 would cover the cost of materials although the leather is usually only sold by the hide I used off cuts for the first two cases and bought a veg tanned goat hide for £28.

 

Please feel free to ask any questions I will help you in any way I can.

 

Michael

 

Thanks Michael! That's a lot more affordable than I'd thought leather would be - though I guess it's something where quality, tanning process, animal, and probably other things I have no clue about will change the price.

 

I'm curious how you sew the leather - do you pierce the holes with an awl before stitching, or are you using a needle to pierce the holes as you sew?

 

I'm wondering now if there's a non-animal alternative to leather that would be soft-ish to the touch, but hold a shape after wetting & forming, or with some other means of stiffening... hmmmmm.... *thinks hard*

[my63]

Leather is only cheap if you can use the whole hide I am going to have a go at a phone case and a couple of other things so I will use it all eventually.

I use a tool to mark the holes and either an awl or a punch to make the holes for the needles, leather needles don't have a sharp point so need a hole made for them, I used 2 metres of thread with a needle on each end and passed the needles through each hole from either side it is called saddle stitch (I think).

I like leather and I enjoy working with it, The leather will hold the shape once formed but if you are going to use the kydex it will give you the shape to stick other materials to, cordura nylon might be an option but I have never worked with it. I am not sure if it is soft to the touch though,

Please update your progress,

Michael

[bobaroo]

Your work is superb, fascinated to see more. Cordura isn't particularly soft touch, it's durable and waterproof, but you might find it uncomfortable for footwear or pen holding

[my63]

Your work is superb, fascinated to see more. Cordura isn't particularly soft touch, it's durable and waterproof, but you might find it uncomfortable for footwear or pen holding

Thanks Bobaroo

I am thinking the next case will be for a smaller pen as I only have one oversize pen and it has two cases now.

A double will be a challenge not sure how I would make a mold for that.

Tomorrow will be a little box day as I have some orders to complete.

That is a nice looking dog is it a retriever with a sock on its nose.

 

Michael

[bobaroo]

Hi Michael

 

 

Thanks Bobaroo
I am thinking the next case will be for a smaller pen as I only have one oversize pen and it has two cases now.
A double will be a challenge not sure how I would make a mold for that.
Tomorrow will be a little box day as I have some orders to complete.
That is a nice looking dog is it a retriever with a sock on its nose.

Michael

 

Yes indeed, that's a golden retriever who likes socks on its nose. When the washing is drying she'll do her best to pinch a few and strut around with them in her mouth in order to display her mischievousness... She's a very cheeky and amusing dog! Is that a cocker spaniel you have?

[my63]

Diesel on the left is a Springer Spaniel we also have his sister Keela and another black and white Springer called Millie they are all from the Northern English Springer Spaniel rescue.

We also have a foster dog with us at the moment called Stanley but he is a fox red Labrador not a spaniel but he is a working dog from the same rescue.

 

I managed to visit my favourite leather emporium recently to obtain some leather dye to liven up the veg tan pen cases as I plan on making a few more.

 

Does anyone have any views on the usefulness of the protection offered by the kydex it is very tough and I would love to hear your views.

 

I have been unwell recently and have had to stop work on all of my projects I hope to begin again soon.

All of my outstanding orders are in the final stages and will be completed as soon as I am able.

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[scrivelry]

I would think that anyone who has either a really expensive pen, or a really treasured pen of any monetary value, might very well want this much protection for their pen.

 

I only have cheap pens and none of them were left to me by relatives or friends, so no sentimental value, but still, I like to carry mine around in stiff cases. My solution is not anywhere near elegant as elegant or protective as your case, though.

 

I think additionally that this sort of pen case, which is rigid and where you could sort of provide a finger hold notch in the leather if someone wanted it might be an easier pen case to use for someone who has, say,. arthritis.

 

Now people may say that if you have arthritis or any other hand condition that bad that you can't use a fountain pen much anyway, but these things can express in very idiosyncratic ways and I think there might be people who have really good use of one hand, less of the other, who'd rather not tussle with a soft case. With a rigid case, if made to fit the pen a little loosely (very specific - probably not what you've done but what you could do if someone wanted you to) it might rattle a bit, but the case is lined in soft leather and I doubt that would hurt it. Once you opened the case, you could easily then slide the pen out. It wouldn't be difficult to slide the pen back in, either. It's a little thing, but I have family and friends with hand issues so I know that sometimes these little things do make a difference.

 

The usual best part about that case is that one would have to be really really talented at destruction to ruin a pen in it while carrying it around. That's what people would first think of. But, you never know, there might be additional reasons, like the one I mention, that a rigid case might work better for some people.

 

T