Pen cases

[MY63]

Sorry Wijko it is the quality of the picture from my phone. I resolved my windows 10 issue by using a card reader but now I can't find the charger. I think one of my apprentices (spaniels) may have been playing with it. One of them is a bit of a magpie she hides stuff at the back of her bed.

[MY63]

Here is another two pen case slightly different in design.

As usual I started with a kydex tube the inside is going to be wrapped in leather rather than suede it is about 0.5 mm thick and is very soft.

DSC_0526 by my0771, on Flickr

Both tubes are wrapped in the freshly dyed orange leather they now need to dry out over night

[MY63]

The design of the two pen case has been refined and now requires a mould.

So mould production has begun.

DSC_0533[1] by my0771, on Flickr

As you can see I have marked out the required dimensions on some 9 mm ply wood (because it is what I had) I need just over 25 mm so I will laminate three pieces together.

DSC_0535[1] by my0771, on Flickr

DSC_0537[1] by my0771, on Flickr

There that was easy 27 mm blank I just need to cut it out now I have added some screws for extra strength as there will be some pressure applied during the moulding process.

[wijko]

I received the custom made pencase that I won through the FountainPenDay raffle last Friday, and boy was I amazed by the looks of it.
All through the process, when a choice had to be made, I was terrified of all the option given to me. To be honest, I just didn't know what to choose.

In the end, with the help of Michael, and two of my favorite colors, we came up with an orange case, with purple details.
When unpacking, in the company of some of my dear colleagues, someone asked me if I really won this, because it looked so expensive.
Well, it really does look and feel like over a hundred bucks, and the color combination is definitely great.

IMG_4272.JPG

The case as seen above, is a dark orange, which is fantastic, and not too sweet. This can be taken to business meetings, without looking like you just left school.

After opening the case, my largest pen fits perfectly inside, as this pens dimensions were given to Michael to work with. The suede lining in purple, is great, since this won't damage the hand lacquered barrel over time. All the details as seen in the picture below are beyond belief. the oval tag showing my initials, the toggle that functions as a pen pillow (which will become more usable over time, when the thong will loosen up a bit) and the ends of the thong in antique gold finish make the whole case complete.

IMG_4273.JPG

The pen in the pictures is the Artus Doctors Pen.

Once again, Thank you Michael for this beautiful gift.

[earthdawn]

I received the custom made pencase that I won through the FountainPenDay raffle last Friday, and boy was I amazed by the looks of it.
All through the process, when a choice had to be made, I was terrified of all the option given to me. To be honest, I just didn't know what to choose.

In the end, with the help of Michael, and two of my favorite colors, we came up with an orange case, with purple details.
When unpacking, in the company of some of my dear colleagues, someone asked me if I really won this, because it looked so expensive.
Well, it really does look and feel like over a hundred bucks, and the color combination is definitely great.

The case as seen above, is a dark orange, which is fantastic, and not too sweet. This can be taken to business meetings, without looking like you just left school.

After opening the case, my largest pen fits perfectly inside, as this pens dimensions were given to Michael to work with. The suede lining in purple, is great, since this won't damage the hand lacquered barrel over time. All the details as seen in the picture below are beyond belief. the oval tag showing my initials, the toggle that functions as a pen pillow (which will become more usable over time, when the thong will loosen up a bit) and the ends of the thong in antique gold finish make the whole case complete.

The pen in the pictures is the Artus Doctors Pen.

Once again, Thank you Michael for this beautiful gift.

Wow is that beautiful !!!

Stunning work as always Michael and such an amazing gesture to give one away for Fountain Pen Day 2015.

The details are just fantastic.

[MY63]

Thanks Wijko and Earthdawn is was a pleasure to offer a case as a prize to celebrate fountain pen day 2015.

As ever on with the next project.

The next stage is to cut out the two parts of the mould.

IMG_1504 by my0771, on Flickr

After cutting out the blank from the centre I have to remove more material to give a clearance all around of about 3 mm I am about half way the curved pieces are done leaving the straight edges.

I will also round over the upper edges of the inner piece and the lower edges of the outer piece where it will come into contact with the leather I will also sand the inner part of the centre piece.

[MY63]

I shared this on Instagram today and thought it might be of interest it is not a pen case but I don't want to bore people with another thread so here it is.

My children are both in college now and are looking for a way to store revision information on index cards. This is what I came up with it is based on the Arc system this is my first prototype the final version will be wrapped in leather.

DSC_1524[1] by my0771, on Flickr

Thanks for looking

Michael

[MY63]

After lots of sanding it is time for a test pressing this is a slightly lighter weight leather than I intend to use for this case but it will show any high points on the mould.

IMG_1527 by my0771, on Flickr

I hope to make the real case tomorrow all being well

[MY63]

I have removed the top section of the press to check for scratches or other marks in the leather I am pleased to say that everything looks fine what I thought was a mark on the front face turned out to be dust

DSC_1529[1] by my0771, on Flickr

DSC_1532[1] by my0771, on Flickr

The next step is to make the real thing.

[MY63]

I was very happy with the test pressing and have now moved on to the real case.

DSC_1542[1] by my0771, on Flickr

DSC_1540[1] by my0771, on Flickr

I sanded most of the red dye that had transferred from the test off the mould before I began this process.

There are a number of ways to make the inside either with tubes or arches of kydex wrapped in leather or suede. There is also an idea in my mind for a kydex strengthened outer case with a soft inner. lots to think about

[MY63]

I prefer to dye my cases when wet but don't like to re wet them once they are dry so as soon as the colour began to return to normal I removed the mould and was pleased to see no damage to the surface.

Before the leather could dry out I started applying the navy blue dye to both pieces here you can see the main body I may add more dye to darken the colour.

DSC_1562[1] by my0771, on Flickr

In the second picture you can see the current favourite for the interior the final version will end 15 to 20 mm from the edge of the case to allow finger access to remove pens.

DSC_1567[1] by my0771, on Flickr

I am also considering a strip of leather along the back of the pen slots to allow smaller pens to be clipped in place more on that later

[MY63]

Here is the interior complete with its orange leather wrap

DSC_1571[1] by my0771, on Flickr

[MY63]

This two pen case has gone from 3 pieces to 1 piece now I have glued everything together ready for sewing.

I am sorry for the quality of the picture as it is dark here now and the flash does funny things to the colours.

DSC_1578[1] by my0771, on Flickr

[MY63]

Almost there the two pen case is just about finished I will take some better pictures tomorrow

DSC_1621[1] by my0771, on Flickr

[Crazyorange]

Ssswweettt!!

[Laura N]

That orange and blue case rocks! "Bear Down, Chicago Bears...."

* That's essentially "You'll never walk alone" for our football team here. American football.

[Monz]

That's a beautiful looking case.

[MY63]

Something a little different

I am often asked to make unusual cases mostly they are for oversize pens in this case (sorry) I was asked what I could make for little pens namely Kaweco sports.

The starting point is a desk top holder for four pens the first dilemma is round or square I agree both.

DSC_1646 by my0771, on Flickr

The round case is fairly straight forward a strip of leather is cut to the desired length the edges are skived at about a 30 degree angle one on the upper edge the other on the lower edge.

DSC_1650 by my0771, on Flickr

There is a second strip of thinner leather around the inside to allow the first part of the insert to be fitted.

The insert will have four individual tubes which will be the same on both cases.

The square case could have been moulded with only one join but where is the fun in that so I have cut four sides and a top and a bottom pieces and a cap for the insert.

Please note some assembly is required

DSC_1653[1] by my0771, on Flickr

DSC_1656[1] by my0771, on Flickr

Once the pieces were cut out each one had to be mitred I just need to join them all together

DSC_1658[1] by my0771, on Flickr

[Scrawler]

Almost there the two pen case is just about finished I will take some better pictures tomorrow

DSC_1621[1] by my0771, on Flickr

I have been away due to ill health and have just returned to catch up on your work. This bi-coloured case is just fabulous work.

[MY63]

Welcome back Scrawler I hope that your health issues are all behind you now

Michael