Making A Pen Case

[my63]

These are my final pictures of this Red ten pen case

 

IMG_7344_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Locked in the open position to show off your pens that is Tia our foster dog in the background

 

IMG_7342_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Case closed

 

IMG_7339_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

A final check by quality control AKA Millie

 

IMG_7341_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

It should be on its by the end of the week

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[alc3261]

The Blue Notebook/Pen Portfolio with monogram.

I meant to post this sooner but have been away.

Thank you Michael!!

[mhguda]

Both beautiful projects!

[WirsPlm]

Thank you for posting so many projects here, they've inspired me to start making my own cases and things (I'm not being nearly as fancy as you though, just using up craft supplies lying around the house). In case anyone is interested, those plastic beads that are designed to be melted together by a clothes iron work pretty well for making solid plastic parts, the trick is to melt oneside together, take the plastic off the melting frame while it's still warmish, flip it onto some wax paper and melt the other side until that side is solid also (following the instructions about keeping wax paper between the plastic and the iron, of course), you get a sheet of solid plastic in whatever pattern you put the beads down in. I've been stress testing this plastic (made a key chain adornment) and so far it's held up really, really well so now I'm making pen case parts with it, the plastic is a bit flexible but once the beads are solidly melted together the parts seem quite sturdy. I haven't tested how a structure made from them holds up to lots of pressure but I don't think there would be many problems, and the key chain fob I made is in perfect condition despite being tossed around and sat on for months.

 

If you want to make a custom plastic part but don't want to get a 3D printer or mess with industrial plastics and don't mind the colors these melting plastic beads are a pretty good bargain (I'm definitely going to cover them up with something before taking the case anywhere, the colors were definitely picked with a 5 year old in mind).

Edited May 14, 2014 by WirsPlm

[my63]

Hi WirsPlm

I am so pleased that you have been inspired to make you own case please share some pictures.

You have made my day.

Thanks

Michael

[WirsPlm]

Sure, as soon as I get the parts made (putting the plastic beads on pegboards to melt them together takes a while)! I may wind up prototyping in cardboard and putting pictures of that up first because I'd hate to melt a part together and then have to toss it and redo.

[my63]

A number of people have asked me if I could make a three pen case.

The simple answer is yes however I don't want to make a simple case I want to make one that will protect the precious pens that are carried in it.

I have made a three pen case before as part of the pen and notebook case for Alc3261.

 

IMG_7063 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_6438_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see there are three individual Kydex tubes wrapped in leather which is glued and sewn in place, the interior could easily be lined in suede rather than leather.

 

I am interested to know what makes a case really good if anyone has any ideas or opinions I would like to hear them.

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[Inkwellpens]

A number of people have asked me if I could make a three pen case.

The simple answer is yes however I don't want to make a simple case I want to make one that will protect the precious pens that are carried in it.

I have made a three pen case before as part of the pen and notebook case for Alc3261.

 

IMG_7063 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_6438_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see there are three individual Kydex tubes wrapped in leather which is glued and sewn in place, the interior could easily be lined in suede rather than leather.

 

I am interested to know what makes a case really good if anyone has any ideas or opinions I would like to hear them.

 

Thanks

 

Michael

 

Hi Michael,

 

Your work looks great,for me I would like a case that is made with a soft leather, and would be happy with full separators of some kind between the pens rather than tubes.

I also really like the franklin Christopher penvelopes, but one that held four would be great, I also articulately like patterned or coloured leather.

 

Keep up the great work!

[my63]

Am I right in thinking you would prefer the outside shape to be similar to the FC cases but still to have some dividers inside.

I don't know what leather FC use on their cases but they are selling their single case for less than it costs me to buy the materials to make a single case.

When you say soft leather do you mean a soft case ? Or a hard case with a soft leather cover?

Using the FC type design I could use the red and purple embossed leather that I have used for midori style notebook covers

 

IMG_7469 by my0771, on Flickr

It is not strong enough to be used on its own but will work when attached to a thicker piece of leather as I did for the notebooks.

I think I need to make a model

 

Thanks for the help

 

Michael

[Inkwellpens]

This material is beautiful, or a coloured plain leather would be great. The FC models are a little too conservative for my taste, but I like the design and idea.

6 is too many 4 would be good. I believe it is a leather outer case with slots inside. I like the fact that you have the outer leather case but can see the pen slots when you open it.

[my63]

Ok here is my quick cardboard template

 

IMG_7494 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here is the purple leather

 

IMG_7495 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The black was meant to designate kydex covered in suede or leather purple with turquoise suede sounds like an unusual match to me.

 

thanks

 

Michael

[Inkwellpens]

What is kydex? I like the colour combination.

[my63]

Kydex is a very strong and light thermo plastic used in aeroplane interiors. It can be moulded when hot then I wrap it in leather to make a very strong pen case.

 

Hope that helps

 

Michael

[my63]

I had a minor setback yesterday when my hot air gun went pop just as I had started forming the kydex for the 2,3,or 4 pen case

 

IMG_7526_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once I was set up for one I made 6 or 7 tubes

 

IMG_7533_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I started with three tubes

 

IMG_7543 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have fitted suede into the inside of the three tubes connecting them together, I will trim off all of the excess and cut back the top to allow the outside suede to fold over to form a neat edge.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

This morning I have finished the insert to hold three pens

IMG_7564 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have made a mock up of the outer shell I am not very happy with it but it shows the idea.

 

IMG_7568 by my0771, on Flickr

 

My Delta's fit ok I need to be careful when sewing it to the back piece that it does not get too tight.

Thanks

 

Michael

[chunya]

That is impressive!

[alc3261]

This morning I have finished the insert to hold three pens

IMG_7564 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have made a mock up of the outer shell I am not very happy with it but it shows the idea.

 

IMG_7568 by my0771, on Flickr

 

My Delta's fit ok I need to be careful when sewing it to the back piece that it does not get too tight.

Thanks

 

Michael

That colour is really nice!!

[Inkwellpens]

That looks great Michael!

[my63]

The next thing to decide is what the outer shell should look like.

I was thinking of a flat piece over the top and same on the bottom then a separate piece sewn around the edges like the black trial piece I showed earlier.

Input would be appreciated if anyone would like to help.

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[Inkwellpens]

I think the flat pieces as suggested would be good as in the cardboard template. How about having more of the turquoise slots on show than in the mock up. Maybe about enough for an average size clip to go over?