Making A Pen Case

[my63]

Hopefully my next cases will be a little quicker, Here are the final pictures.

 

2022-08-06_12-20-34 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2022-08-06_12-20-25 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2022-08-06_12-19-38 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2022-08-06_12-19-24 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This case is very strong and will protct pens for many years.

[my63]

One of the things about making custom cases is they are often slightly different in size, As I am yet to design a mold that can change size I need to make another as I am making a pair of cases I will get two uses from it. I will attempt to share that process this time.

Our starting point this time is the formed kydex that makes the pen slots. As you can see the first group of three have been wrapped in turquoise suede.

 

2022-08-08_06-34-34 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step is to wrap the second set.

 

2022-08-10_09-45-22 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The mold will be next.

[my63]

Once I have wrapped the kydex inserts in suede I can then look at my selection of molds to see if I have one of a suitable size.

In this case I did not have anything suitable, I measured the insert and made a blank.

 

2022-08-10_06-41-59 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After I cut out the blank I spent some time shaping the blank to match the insert as closely as possible. Next step is to cut the outer part of the mold drawing around the shaped blank and cutting it out.

 

2022-08-10_06-41-38 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The blank is then screwed to the base and is ready for use.

 

2022-08-11_11-21-05 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I will leave it for a couple of hours and repeat for the second one.

 

[my63]

The mold worked very well so i started applying the dye. The first one is orange.

 

2022-08-13_06-10-29 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Next up is navy blue. The dye was wet when I took these pictures you can see some colour variation which I hoped would disappear as it dried. As you might expect it did not, I applied more dye the orange came out well the blue still has some shading on the front panel. Dying leather is not a science I often describe it as a dark art, Most leather workers have their own methods, I know I do.  

 

2022-08-13_06-11-02 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Overall I am quite happy with the way they turned out.

 

2022-08-13_06-09-49 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Stitching is next

[Anne-Sophie]

Such beautiful colors and design!

 

So very happy that you are on the mend and ready to share your first class craftsmanship!

 

[my63]

Time for stitching

 

2022-08-17_12-14-57 by my0771, on Flickr

[Anne-Sophie]

 

Wow! Stunning!

[my63]

Time for the finished pictures.

 

2022-08-18_04-09-19 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2022-08-18_04-09-10 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks

 

 

[Anne-Sophie]

On 8/18/2022 at 11:02 AM, my63 said:

Time for the finished pictures.

 

2022-08-18_04-09-19 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2022-08-18_04-09-10 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks

 

 

 

I don't know who the future owner is going to be, but if that person is willing, I would love to see pictures of the cases holding pens.

 

First class work from you, Michael!

 

So happy to see those unique creations!

[jandrese]

On 8/20/2022 at 6:14 PM, Anne-Sophie said:

 

I don't know who the future owner is going to be, but if that person is willing, I would love to see pictures of the cases holding pens.

 

First class work from you, Michael!

 

So happy to see those unique creations!

I will share here and on my IG @revolvingpens

 

 

[my63]

Next up is a cigar style case for two Emperor fountain pens. In the first picture you can see the two kydex pen tubes which have been wrapped in suede, the tubes are joined together with the first fine leather cover.

 

2022-08-23_04-05-37 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The tubes need to be glued and stitched in position once the dye has been applied.

 

2022-08-23_04-05-49 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once the glue has dried and the stitching is complete I can start the outer covers.

 

2022-08-23_04-06-45 by my0771, on Flickr

 

All of the main components are ready the outer covers need to be cut in half and joined together to make a top and bottome section.

 

 

[my63]

When you make things by hand it does not always work out as planned. Thankfully it does not happen too often. I think it is good to share mistakes uncomfortable but good.

 

The cigar style case has a centre band which is made from the same leather it is passed through a tool called a splitter which thins the leather, thinner leather takes dye differently, especially for this band where it is dyed on both sides.

The pictures might explain it more clearly.

 

2022-08-29_09-14-48 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see the band does not match, the band is applied wet to allow it to be shaped  It is glued and stitched in place as it is never meant to come off. Removing it without destroying the case would be difficult. That is why I have another pair of sides standing by. The other option would have been to add aditional dye and darken the whole case, As this case needed to be oxblood colour I decided to remove the band and make a replacement.  

 

I did manage to get the band off, replacing the band took 3.5 hours.

 

2022-08-29_09-15-04 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see it looks better now   

 

[jandrese]

The most incredible pen cases arrived from Michael @my63leather. These are true luxury items made to last generations. Large, substantial, highly functional, and beautiful. They are built to house large pens and they do so  perfectly with absolute confidence about their safety. Very impressed with these cases. 

 

9E96CAE1-9020-406A-96C8-1F393D1F6CC3 by Ja Ja, on Flickr

 

9C35C725-C80D-4216-A286-AF38A9BE9B97 by Ja Ja, on Flickr

 

F9C1B655-0F84-46F8-A07A-D3592419A5E8 by Ja Ja, on Flickr

 

2E9FE5B7-AC84-4289-BBD8-99257AEFC765 by Ja Ja, on Flickr

 

EDEA29A0-0285-43A3-A36B-CC57864CAF9F by Ja Ja, on Flickr

 

219B5145-35A9-4382-83FC-8353126D0EE3 by Ja Ja, on Flickr

 

 

[Anne-Sophie]

 

 Gorgeous cases! Thank you for sharing their pictures in their new home protecting your beautiful fountain pens, jandrese, the orange pen inside the matching orange case and contrasting teal suede is just stunningly beautiful.  

[my63]

A few years ago I made a pen box which I covered in Orange Ostrich leather, because I had some  

My issue was I could not decide what colour the inside should be, Inspired by the orange case you can see above I decided to go with turquoise.

 

2022-09-03_05-28-25 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2022-09-03_05-28-14 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

[my63]

Final picture of the Emperor pen box before it goes to its new home. All of the pieces are now fixed in place. 

 

2022-09-04_11-46-36 by my0771, on Flickr

[JulieParadise]

Oh, this is beautiful! I am having a moment of serious box envy. 😉 

[my63]

Thanks Sina I actually made this box in 2019 but could not decide what colour the interior should be, The of course Corona virus arrived and life changed.

 

2019-11-08_07-28-25 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This picture shows the original experiment with the form, The form was made with advice from the late Henry Simpole who was kind enough to share his method of making pen trays.

Making them out of wood for every box is expensive time consuming as well as being quite heavy for shipping.

I use kydex in my pen cases for strength and weight saving, Although it would work in this instance as the experiment showed it turned out to be quite wastefull as an A3 sheet would be needed, I spoke to a local supplier who suggested HDPE which is more friendly on price and works really well.

 

2019-11-09_06-01-02 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The plastic is heated one row at a time and dowels are used to form the plastic to the mold, the surface is sanded to give a key for the glue and the suede is applied.

I made another box at the same time which is not covered as yet so if anyone would like one let me know.

 

2022-09-05_10-19-32 by my0771, on Flickr

[Anne-Sophie]

Beautiful box! The orange/teal contrast is stunning!

 

Because you took the picture on a purple background, I realize that purple suede would have also looked good.

 

Thank you for reminding us of Henry Simpole wonderful contribution to the world of fountain pens collectors, we avidly followed his thread about the bespoke overlay for Ghost Plane.

 

Stunning work, as usual!

 

[my63]

Time for some single pen cases, As I have four to make I thought I would make them together. I made the tubes by heating flat sheet Kydex and forming it around wooden dowels. These were then wrapped in suede.

 

2022-09-10_01-37-22 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once the glue on the suede had dried I sealed the tubes in film and formed the wet veg tanned leather around them.

 

2022-09-10_01-37-49 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2022-09-10_01-37-59 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2022-09-10_01-38-11 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The smaller black case is for a MB 149 fountain pen the three others are made for Namiki Emperor fountain pens.

At this point the outer cover has been glued in place and is ready to have the stitching holes marked out.

 

2022-09-10_01-38-27 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Stitching of the lower sections is now complete time to cut out the desired shapes.

 

2022-09-10_01-38-48 by my0771, on Flickr