Making A Pen Case

[Anne-Sophie]

 

I agree with Crissy, you cases are unique and wonderful!

 

This is, I believe, your signature design, speaking of which, do you sign your creations anywhere, or have a maker's stamp?

[my63]

Thanks Chrissy and Anne-Sophie

I don't mark my work at the moment I do have a stamp I designed it many years ago in school it is now much neater

 

20170731_171222%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

This type of stamp is usually applied with a hammer which I find difficult.

I now have a 1 ton press which I have had drilled to accept the stamp making it easier for me to use.

 

Even though I now have the ability to mark my work I don't intend to do it as yet. I am looking at buying some brass embossing type to allow me to personalise my work with names and text. It is quite expensive so it may take a while..

Edited July 31, 2017 by my63

[my63]

The owner of the chocolate and orange Emperor case has sent me some pictures and has allowed me to share them with you.

 

choc and orange emp 3 by my0771, on Flickr

 

choc and orange emp 4 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The pen fits perfectly (as it should) I love to see pictures of my cases in use.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

The pen case is indeed, a perfect match, to the fountain pen, it was designed for.

 

I like the simple design of your maker's mark.

 

The raising/embossing pieces you worked by hand are really impressive.

 

I understood the "brass embossing type" to be letters, in brass, that you could press with the one tonne press to form words, or do you plan to use another technique?

Edited August 6, 2017 by Anne-Sophie

[my63]

The pen case is indeed, a perfect match, to the fountain pen, it was designed for.

 

I like the simple design of your maker's mark.

 

The raising/embossing pieces you worked by hand are really impressive.

 

I understood the "brass embossing type" to be letters, in brass, that you could press with the one tonne press to form words, or do you plan to use another technique?

Thanks Anne-Sophie you are right about the embossing using the brass type the full set was quite expensive at $600 I am now looking at some alloy type which is a lot cheaper about £150 pounds rather than dollars.

Unfortunately it is pen show season so people are buying pens rather than cases so I am practising making belts and watchstraps.

 

I think this is my second belt

 

20170724_171746%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have made 5 or 6 watchstraps this one is for my Casio Oceanus which is older than my children.

 

20170806_171543%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I don't think it is quite right yet

 

20170806_180409%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

I thought it would be good to share a different project with you. It is still pen related. I n the past I had separate threads for boxes of different sizes. I don't make boxes much now so I thought I would post this one here.

 

It is an oak framed box with marine plywood top and bottom veneered in burr walnut veneer.

 

20170810_093610%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

The inside is red suede.

 

20170810_093705%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

If you want to see the full story of how it was made then it is on my blog.

 

https://wordpress.com/post/my63leather.wordpress.com/1852

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

I think your belts are going to be a hit, it is practically impossible to find durable ones; cheap imports, which rule the market, fall apart after a couple of years.

 

Furthermore, people can customize the color, to perfectly match shoes.

And style with vintage belt hardware, I presume

 

I think a handmade wrist watch is just the ticket for luxury watch collectors.

 

Some people have sensitivities to metal, would there be a way to secure a thin piece of matching suede to both sides of the wrist watch band to fit under the bezel? It is a niche market, for sure.

 

We have both luxury watch collectors on FPN and a majority of belt wearers (minus the pets who are a big part of the forum)

 

Would you be able to add gold, silver or copper to monograms or names?

I know that craft stores sell leaves of those, just an idea, I have no idea how practical it would be.

 

The box is exquisite! Did you make the box or is it a vintage one you transformed for pens?

Edited August 11, 2017 by Anne-Sophie

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie belts and watch straps are a work in progress and need more practice until I am happy with them.

 

The printing type I plan to buy is actually from a hot foil printing press so adding gold silver or other foils is possible the machinery is very expensive but I am sure I can find a way to heat the typoe once I have it.

 

The box is hand made from scratch here is the starting point an oak frame

 

20170602_141245%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am pretty sure the larger boxes could also be adapted to contain watches rather than pens.

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

The box is truly amazing!

 

I cannot believe that you made it with run of the mill, as it were, oak.

Granted oak has amazing quality, by itself. But I really thought it was a restored antique.

 

Could you apply the gold leafs to the typeset letters then cold press them in the 1 tonne press.

Edited August 11, 2017 by Anne-Sophie

[my63]

I love making boxes but it gets a little heavy (work wise) lots of cutting which I find hard. I really want to make a leather covered box.

By the way the box is for sale although I have not got around to adding it to the classifieds yet.

 

With regard to applying gold leaf I think heat is required I know the foils need heat to make them stick to the leather. Both types of type set I am looking at are ok with heating. I am not sure why I want to go in this direction as no one has ever asked for more than initials as yet but it s something I feel interested in.

Edited August 12, 2017 by my63

[Anne-Sophie]

 

I don't know anything about leather properties, but sometimes, I remember designs I saw, then, I share with you since you are not judgemental.

 

 

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie I appreciate your input, I enjoy sharing ideas I like to see and hear what others are doing and then make my own version.

 

I think a leather wrapped watch box might be next.

[Anne-Sophie]

 

You are always so creative! Can't wait to see your new watch box!

[Tinjapan]

Thanks Chrissy and Anne-SophieI don't mark my work at the moment I do have a stamp I designed it many years ago in school it is now much neater 20170731_171222%5B1%5D by my0771, on FlickrThis type of stamp is usually applied with a hammer which I find difficult.I now have a 1 ton press which I have had drilled to accept the stamp making it easier for me to use.Even though I now have the ability to mark my work I don't intend to do it as yet. I am looking at buying some brass embossing type to allow me to personalise my work with names and text. It is quite expensive so it may take a while..

That looks nice.

[Tinjapan]

I thought it would be good to share a different project with you. It is still pen related. I n the past I had separate threads for boxes of different sizes. I don't make boxes much now so I thought I would post this one here.It is an oak framed box with marine plywood top and bottom veneered in burr walnut veneer.20170810_093610%5B1%5D by my0771, on FlickrThe inside is red suede.20170810_093705%5B1%5D by my0771, on FlickrIf you want to see the full story of how it was made then it is on my blog.https://wordpress.com/post/my63leather.wordpress.com/1852Thanks for lookingMichael

Beautiful box!

[my63]

Thanks TinJapan it is good to hear from you I hope you and your cases are doing well The box has turned out well I guess I should be putting it in the classifieds but I enjoy looking at it the colours are fantastic especially in sunlight.

[my63]

In the past I have always made plain pen cases I have been thinking for some time that I would like to make something different.

 

I don't think of myself as creative and was searching for inspiration eventually I looked at my feet.

 

20170818_214714%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

So I decided to try and make my own brogue pattern. I started with this.

 

20170830_084237%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

After playing around with a set of dividers and a hole punch I came up with this.

 

20170830_194330%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I used some antiquing dye to give this effect.

 

20170831_084610%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I was not to happy with the first effort so I started again. And came up with this.

 

20170831_154104%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

After antiquing it looks like this

 

20170831_191847%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

A design like this needs a large case so I am going to make a large case to put it on.

 

This is my largest mould at the moment

 

20170901_090753%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have cut some marine plywood and laminated it together to give the required thickness of around 30 mm.

 

20170901_172540%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

More to follow.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Before I could mark out the mould for the main outer body of this case I needed to make the inner section and to do that I needed another mould.

 

20170902_152754%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

After making the mould I just had to heat the kydex sheet and form it over the mould.

 

20170902_171152%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once I had formed all three I wrapped them in electric blue suede.

 

20170902_184445%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Here is my first pressing from this mould I discovered during this process the pins were needed to assist in getting the mould together, Unfortunately I put the first pins in the wrong place.

 

20170905_203634%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

This white kydex piece creates the shape at the bottom of the case.

 

20170906_132559%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once I had the kydex piece I was able to start forming the outer leather cover over the kydex

 

20170906_144216%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

After a few hours of working the leather I had a shape I was happy with.

 

20170906_153454%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

The point where the kydex ends is clearly visible but will be covered by the strap although I may remake this piece.

 

20170906_163628%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

These are the components waiting for assembly however I am unsure I started this wanting to make a brogue style case in antique tan. I am thinking it might look really good in black or another solid colour without the brogue pattern.

The card template is to allow me to experiment with different shapes and points to get one I like.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

 

Very nice and unique design of the blue suede square 3 pens case.

 

It is interesting that you need a mould for the square form.