Making A Pen Case

[my63]

Blue and yellow almost complete it is quite small 19 mm internal diameter and will take pens up to135 mm

 

DSC_0244[1] by my0771, on Flickr

[my63]

I have been asked to make a pair of single pen cases with wooden toggles so I plan on sharing each step

 

A flat piece of kydex sitting on a piece of leather which in turn is sitting on a granite slab.

 

DSC_0291[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

After heating the kydex with a hot air gun a piece of dowel the required size 23 mm in this case as the desired internal size is 22 mm. Once the correct temperature has been reached the piece of leather is used to roll the kydex around the dowel.

I feel that I should point out that when overheated kydex becomes very soft and can stick to your skin and burn badly so if you wish to have a go then please be careful.

 

DSC_0292[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have glued the seams together and smoothed them down

 

DSC_0295[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I was waiting for some suede to arrive yesterday so I started to work on the toggles

 

DSC_0296[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

At this time there are three different woods top left is sapele which is a type of mahogany top right is oak and bottom is walnut the owners have the choice of which wood they prefer.

They have been shaped with a file and a power tool and as you can see each one is slightly different.

 

DSC_0300[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

The next step in the making of a pen case is to take the kydex tubes and enclose them in suede and leather

 

DSC_0325[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0328[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The picture above shows the green suede covered kydex tube along with its leather outer covers.

 

DSC_0331[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The final picture shows the purple suede on the left and the yellow leather on the right along with the leather outer covers waiting to be dyed and moulded into shape.

[my63]

Here is what the finished cases look like

 

DSC_0333[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0336[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

It is packed and ready to go to its new home tomorrow

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Once the leather has been cut I soak all of the pieces in cold water until it is soft enough to take the required shape. everything happens quickly now once the leather is wet I like to shape it then dye it and sew it before it dries out completely.

 

DSC_0338[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0341[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0343[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step will follow soon

[my63]

Here is the next step

 

Contact adhesive will stick while the leather is still damp and the stitching will pull nice and tight with the damp leather so I like to sew the main section before it dries out fully.

 

If anyone is alert there is one case with different stitching

 

DSC_0349[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0346[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0350[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The main body of the case needs to be sewn and trimmed to allow the top to be glued and shaped before it dries out.

 

I finished these pieces late last night. the next step is to sew the tops and trim them before adding the finishing touches.

[my63]

Todays finished projects

 

DSC_0361[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0363[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0364[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0358[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0357[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[davegt]

Michael, I sent you a picture from my iPhone to show you my pen case arrived on Saturday and it is stunning! I can't post a photo here yet but I wanted to let you know that the feel of the case is quite like a Rolls Royce with the Kydex and suede interior! My pen will be so spoiled. :-))

 

The Oxblood dye is very rich and lends a classy look while matching the paint on our motorcycle. Time to take the pen touring in the mountains so I can continue writing my latest documentary at our retreat of choice.

 

Thank you, your work is a testament to your artistry as a true artisan!

 

Dave

Edited October 26, 2015 by davegt

[my63]

Some time ago I discussed with a member a pen case in the style of a cigar case I have been thinking about how it would be made and also about how I make all of my cases.

Rather than struggle to form the case and then sew it together which due to the issues with my hand I have been finding increasingly difficult I have made the case flat and plan to shape it later.

 

IMG_1414 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have lined the leather in suede but have not dyed it as this is a prototype.

 

IMG_1417 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have a couple of ideas for new designs and would appreciate any feedback good or bad.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

After soaking in cold water I started to open the slots with a tapered toll that is used for slicking edges

 

IMG_1420 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once the holes had started to open up I used dowels to the desired size in the end I tapped them home with a small hammer.

 

IMG_1421 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_1423 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_1424 by my0771, on Flickr

[my63]

The case is drying out nicely so far so good I am not too sure how I am going to form the top but I will find out tomorrow

 

IMG_1428 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have rubbed the leather with a bone folder to burnish it this has darkened it slightly and has given it a glossy finish.

[my63]

Happy fountain pen day everyone

 

I have started the lid I had to wet form the leather around the case to mark the dimensions then flatten it out and sew it together.

 

IMG_1432 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here it is sewn together I used a bone folder to mark the centre crease in an effort to make it easier to get the leather to take that form.

 

IMG_1435 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This picture shows the half way point in the wet forming

 

IMG_1439 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This morning the case has started to dry out and the top and bottom are completely different colours I think this may be because the top has only been soaked once.

 

IMG_1444 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I also need to consider a securing mechanism possibly a thong

[mhguda]

Wow Michael, you made my vision come to life!

One remark: I think if you make the top half a little longer in relation to the bottom, it maybe won't need a securing mechanism - friction should keep it in its place. Especially when there are pens inside.

Wonderful work!

[my63]

Thanks for the feedback Mhguda I am pleased that you like it.

This top is a tight fit so it might not need a fastener I can make your lid longer if you wish this prototype is a 50 50 split.

If you could let me know what internal diameter you require and the colour you prefer.

[my63]

Here is the finished prototype

 

IMG_1448 by my0771, on Flickr

[mhguda]

Michael, your color is very nice so I'd be happy with that one. Frankly, I don't know the internal diameter I'd need, but the range of my pens is pretty wide so I guess I'd find a pair of pens regardless. But it would be nice to fit some of my bigger ebonites in. They are about 13mm at their widest. The nice thing with this case is its length adapts to the length of your pens. That works even better if the cap is a bit longer, as I suggested.

I'm happy it turned out so beautiful!

[my63]

I don't know if I have shared this case before it is one of a pair this one is navy blue with turquoise interior the tricky part was to have the finish as mat as possible.

 

In paint terms I would call this finish silk rather than mat but not shinny

 

IMG_1458 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Michael

[my63]

Mhguda the top is just leather and wont provide any protection to pens with the single pen cases I usually make the protected section the same length as the longest pen.

I can still make the top longer if you prefer that look.

[mhguda]

I see, but yes, I'd still prefer that look. I do think even just leather provides some slight protection, enough for when I transport a few pens in my (pretty organized) purse...

Thanks!

[my63]

The leather will indeed provide some protection especially once the kydex tubes are in place.

Colour wise there is no dye on the prototype it has just been burnished with a bone tool and had some oil applied to seal the leather this means that the colour will darken over time especially if exposed to natural sun light (not likely here). If you want the leather to stay that colour I can apply a light dye that will give a more permanent colour.

The top is a 50 /50 split I think a 70/30 split might be more what you are looking for.

As your pens are quite thin I would suggest the internal diameter should be around 15 mm with a length between 130 mm and 150 mm whichever suits you best.

 

Michael