Making A Pen Case

[my63]

The case is turning out quite lovely. Well done! A very classic look, in my opinion.

 

Do the small the outer punched holes guide your trimming, or if not, what is their purpose?

Yes indeed they are the marks made by my dividers, I try to make my cases as symeterical as possible but sometimes they are not quite perfect. I use the marks as a guide when trimming but I dont always stick to them. If my piece of wood wrapped in sandpaper tells me it is straight then I stop.

Incidentally I have just purchased an oscillating bobin sanding machine to help with making molds this has really helpd me with these cases as each one has required new molds, The final one being one of the smallest I have ever made.

 

2020-07-12_11-40-37 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see it is much smaller than the four pen case which I class as a large case, I now need to make an outer mold for the leather cover.

[my63]

All three of the cases in this set have required a new mold to be made which takes time. The final case in this set is for smaller pens one 15.5 and one 16.5 mm max diameter.

 

This is the test piece in the mold under pressure.

 

2020-07-19_02-34-29 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2020-07-19_02-34-43 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Fresh out of the mold no issues at all so I dyed the leather, I should say I normally dye the leather after forming but this is a light turquoise colour and I prefer to dip dye it.

The leather is still wet when it goes into the mold.

 

Here you can see the perfect sample and the dyed piece which has split all around the sides, This is caused by the wooden mold dragging across the top surface of the leather this may have been becasue I had not allowed the mold to dry after the first pressing.

 

2020-07-19_10-35-21 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Things dont always work out as planned I will cut another piece of leather tomorrow I will re make both pieces as they are dyed in pairs.

Edited July 19, 2020 by my63

[kazoolaw]

I admire your talent, and envy your patience.

[my63]

Thanks Gary I appreciate your comments I am not sure how much patience I actually have but I am persistent. I think the mold may still be too tight.

 

2020-07-21_07-32-08 by my0771, on Flickr

 

My second attempt also split but the third was OK once it is fully dry I will decide if I need to make another.

 

Here is a future project I came across on an auction site

 

2020-07-21_07-17-51 by my0771, on Flickr

 

More to follow.

[Anne-Sophie]

The third turquoise case has a very beautiful color, hope it stays intact.

 

The 3 cases each have a different hue of turquoise, such is the beauty of handmade items.

 

I'll be sure to follow your blog on the vintage case progress.

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie I am sorry the blog and website have not had much attention lately.

It is very difficult to match hand dyed leather unless you dye them together as I did with the other two in this group of cases. Here are all of the attempts at this case.

 

2020-07-23_04-38-53 by my0771, on Flickr

 

There are three cases in this set here they are.

 

2020-07-23_01-44-16 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Trimming is the next job followed by edge finishing and a final polish.

[Anne-Sophie]

You have such a great artistry! The 3 cases are beautiful!

 

Will you be able to salvage strips of leathers from the cracked cases? The third blue case has a very pleasant marbled effect and the first blue one is a delightful light blue.

 

You have been steadily busy from your service to the NHS to the making of those Blue Suede Shoes cases and accompanying recalcitrant blue case, so I understand why your blog and website would be on set aside a little.

 

I always enjoy the transformation of the vintage cases which, many times, I thought beyond repair, or in too rough shape, when you show them dismantled.

 

Then, I find out that you re-create each one into a new item with a vintage flair, that looks like it just came out of the factory.

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie I do appreciate your comments,

I am not sure if the other front pieces can be re used in any way, I will hang on to them just in case at some point I have time, saying that I have six briefcases and now two chairs waiting for attention.

 

2020-07-24_09-55-13 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2020-07-24_09-54-57 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here are a couple of pictures of the Mulberry case, I think this may have been a factory second as it does not have a registration disc and the inside label has "sec" or similar stamped on it. As you can see the handle is missing altogether and the inside lining which looks like pig skin is totally worn out.

 

Yes I did mention chairs I have always wanted to have a go at upholstery and this will save me making the frames and the old vinyl will make a good pattern, I have ordered some rather nice red Italian leather.

 

2020-07-24_09-59-16 by my0771, on Flickr

[Anne-Sophie]

I can't wait to see the new chairs, the 6 briefcases and of course any new pen case.

[my63]

There are at least 5 more pen cases to come as I have started accepting orders again, Some people have waited very patiently over the last few months.

I will share as many as possible with you.

[my63]

Three case set all finished polished and ready for packing.

 

2020-07-26_06-17-43 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Next..

[my63]

First of the next projects. This is a single cigar style (round) case for a hand made pen.

 

The colours on these pictures are a little off I live on the North East coast of England we have been experiencing a meteorlogical anomaly, apparantly it is called sunshine but it is confusing the camera on my phone.

This suede is electric blue

 

2020-07-27_09-58-53 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The second case is a twin cigar for Emperor pens so is much larger.

 

2020-07-27_06-02-21 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The twin case will get an additional thin leather sleeve to hold the tubes together before the outer leather shell is formed around them.

[twin63]

Fantastic work as usual!

[my63]

Thanks Twin63 I always appreciate comments.

 

I have spent some time doing other jobs over the last few weeks and lost 10 days due to a nasty bug fortunately not Covid.

 

2020-08-02_10-48-29 by my0771, on Flickr

 

My final garden project was to make a large raised flower bed 3.8 m long 600 mm wide and 500 mm high it contains 2 ton of top soil so under the deck boards is a large structure with 75 mm x 75 mm posts secured into the ground with concrete. the main body is made from 150 mm x 50 mm boards lined in special barrier material.

 

I have another woodworking project which I will share later.

 

Back to pen cases.

 

The single pen case for the custom pen is now at the outer cover stage. After the initial forming of the leather I will apply the dye and after that I will finish the forming process.

 

2020-08-02_10-47-09 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The twin case for the Emperor pens has had its inner leather cover added to bind the pen tubes together, I made the first one on the right but did not like how it looked so started again, the replacement is on the left.

 

2020-08-02_10-46-18 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once I was happy with this part I moved on to the outer covers.

 

2020-08-02_10-47-54 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I will aply the dye before the outer covers are fully dry.

[TinyTim]

 

Yes I did mention chairs I have always wanted to have a go at upholstery and this will save me making the frames and the old vinyl will make a good pattern, I have ordered some rather nice red Italian leather.

 

2020-07-24_09-59-16 by my0771, on Flickr

This is definitely going to turn out well.

Do keep us updated on how the chairs look through your project as you have done with the pen cases.

Best of luck

[my63]

Thanks Shanbo

I seem to be able to get away with posting the odd picture of non pen related things here so I will keep you updated on the chairs. Dont hold your breath though it may be some time.

 

The single pen case has had its first forming around the pen tube and has now been dyed blue.

 

2020-08-02_09-53-06 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I left the twin pen case in the mold overnight to allow it to dry a little.

 

2020-08-02_10-05-27 by my0771, on Flickr

 

With the dye applied

 

2020-08-02_09-53-18 by my0771, on Flickr

[my63]

The way I make cases is rather complicated, rather than have templates for pre cutting everything is made to fit each individual case. This means before I can form the top I have to finish the bottom.

 

2020-08-06_09-18-54 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have stitched the bottom in blue thread but will cut this out at the last minute and replace it with white.

 

2020-08-06_09-18-32 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I also need to make a toggle / pen rest for the case which I make from pieces of hardwood in this case Indian Ebony.

 

2020-08-06_09-16-03 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here is the finished case ready for assembly the only items not made by me are the little metal end caps for the thong in this case they are silver.

 

2020-08-06_09-16-20 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Next..

[N1003U]

The way I make cases is rather complicated, rather than have templates for pre cutting everything is made to fit each individual case. This means before I can form the top I have to finish the bottom.

 

2020-08-06_09-18-54 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have stitched the bottom in blue thread but will cut this out at the last minute and replace it with white.

 

2020-08-06_09-18-32 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I also need to make a toggle / pen rest for the case which I make from pieces of hardwood in this case Indian Ebony.

 

2020-08-06_09-16-03 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here is the finished case ready for assembly the only items not made by me are the little metal end caps for the thong in this case they are silver.

 

2020-08-06_09-16-20 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Next..

Good choice on the white thread. It sets itself off nicely.

[my63]

The twin Emperor case has dried out fully, and is ready to be cut in half.

 

2020-08-06_06-06-01 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step is to do the cutting.

 

2020-08-06_06-05-47 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Stitching in progress.

 

2020-08-06_07-47-22 by my0771, on Flickr

[my63]

After gluing and stitching the pieces back together it was time to trim the edges to the desired shape and form the centre band.

 

2020-08-09_09-50-26 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once the band was formed around the case I made the stitching holes and stitched it to the case.

 

2020-08-09_06-51-26 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Rather than a disc with initials stamped on it the owner requested a disc with a heart on it, I dont have a heart stamp and although I do have a 3d printer I have not mastered the software to make my own stamps, I decided to make a heart from the same wood as the toggle / pen rest which is mahogany.

 

2020-08-09_09-51-06 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2020-08-09_06-50-57 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here is the finished case all except the final polish.

 

2020-08-09_06-50-44 by my0771, on Flickr