Wow! Fantastic. I'm sure the recipient wiil be proud to carry his pens in it. I pray that both come back unscathed.
Wow! Fantastic. I'm sure the recipient wiil be proud to carry his pens in it. I pray that both come back unscathed.
We have met the enemy and he is us.
-Pogo
MY63 (September 14th, 2017)
Going back to the Three Emperors case I decided to go with my original plan and use the Antique leather dye.
20170918_152718[1] by my0771, on Flickr
After punching the holes I started to apply the Antique dye.
20170918_175652[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Time to trial fit the inner section.
20170918_184227[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Thanks for looking
Michael
I had a confidence crisis this morning over the colour of the back panel/front flap.
After thinking of dyeing the whole case black I decided to apply more antique dye to the back / front flap and get on with it.
20170920_100002[1] by my0771, on Flickr
The back section has a kydex panel which provides extra protection this is glued in place and covered in suede.
20170920_150454[1] by my0771, on Flickr
The securing strap has had some blue detail stitching applied to it.
Thanks for looking
Michael
I made a template to help with the stitching lines.
20170921_161745[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Once I had marked out the stitching lines I made the holes and started stitching unfortunately I managed to get a knot in the thread and in trying to undo it snapped the thread.
20170921_192921[1] by my0771, on Flickr
I don not like to have joints in my stitching especially on small cases so I cut out the stitching and started over.
When I had cut and waxed a new length of thread I continued stitching.
20170921_215917[1] by my0771, on Flickr
20170921_220003[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Now the stitching is complete I will trim the edges and prepare them for finishing.
Thanks for looking
Michael
My Plan was for the flap to end just above the design on the case.
20170924_193133[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Box Ticked...... Getting the strap in the correct position and the right size for the flap.
20170924_193030[1] by my0771, on Flickr
TICK
20170924_193039[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Trimming is very scary one wrong move and the case is scrap.. Measure twice cut once as my old foreman used to tell me. I have trimmed the flap and that is it for today cutting through one thickness of leather and suede is one thing cutting double thickness of everything needs a steady hand and a freshly sharpened blade. Time for sharpening
I have finally trimmed the edges of this case
20170925_195247[1] by my0771, on Flickr
I have applied the first layer of edge kote after allowing it to dry I have lightly sanded it ready for the next coats.
20170926_083948[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Thanks for looking
Michael
Hawk (September 26th, 2017)
The finished case with the shoe that inspired it
20170927_091703[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Thanks for looking and for those who commented.
Michael
The case is very well done. Nice color on the leather. Another great job.
We have met the enemy and he is us.
-Pogo
MY63 (September 28th, 2017)
I thought I would let you know that the Sergeants case has arrived safely with its new owner in the USA I am pleased to say that it is appreciated.
This afternoon I have been learning how to make a twisted or braided cuff style bracelet.
20171001_185310[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Thanks
Michael
I am always on the look out for new ways to make pen cases. You never know where inspiration will come from.
20171021_102835[1] by my0771, on Flickr
I have had this little box sitting on my desk for a couple of weeks I needed some thinking time from another project (not pen related) so I wondered if I could make a hexagonal one.
My first effort involved marking out score lines on a flat piece of kydex.
20171021_105857[1] by my0771, on Flickr
To get the shape I ended up cutting half way through rather than scoring.
20171021_111108[1] by my0771, on Flickr
After folding I used a soldering iron to try to seal the cuts.
20171021_114100[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Unfortunately the cuts would not fully seal hot glue may have been an option but I decided heat forming would give a stronger end result.
Forming requires a form which I make from dowel so I selected an oversize piece of dowel and marked out the desired shape I then marked lines down the length of the dowel and started planning and sanding the flat edges.
20171021_150115[1] by my0771, on Flickr
It is quite easy to make round tube with dowels and kydex a hexagonal is a different story altogether. Mini clamps and strips of wood were used to form the heated kydex to the dowel.
20171021_172437[1] by my0771, on Flickr
The next step was to wrap the kydex tube in red suede.
20171021_185704_004[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Outer cover next.
naimitsu (October 27th, 2017)
I freely admit it was a lot more difficult to persuade the outer covers to take the shape I wanted but I guess it is passable.
20171024_184219[1] by my0771, on Flickr
20171024_213822[1] by my0771, on Flickr
20171025_105404[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Thanks for looking
Michael
I was recently commissioned to create a special notebook cover with a protective pen case attached
20171024_184517[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Fortunately I was able to use an existing mould to form the kydex and the suede and leather components.
20171026_170046[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Here are all of the pieces ready to start assembly.
20171028_165339[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Time to apply some oxblood dye.
20171028_190726[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Time for a dry fit of the components
20171029_135413[1] by my0771, on Flickr
At this point I realised that rather than adding the pen case to the front I had put it on the back. I made a replacement inner cover complete with flap.
When I had everything right I stitched the pen case to the front of the notebook cover on the third attempt I found a position for the strap that I was happy with.
20171031_105536[1] by my0771, on Flickr
After marking and punching the stitching holes I stitched the components together using black Lin cable thread in two sizes 332 and 532.
20171101_160236[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Here is the finished cover
20171101_191549[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Thanks for looking
Michael
Wow your work is really beautiful!
MY63 (December 10th, 2017)
Just before Christmas I was asked to make a pen case it is some time since I made one of these cases so I was pleased to agree.
I formed the kydex core with a dowel and a heat gun.
20171219_080935[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Once I had formed the tube I cut a length of emerald green suede and wrapped the tube with it. The stitching at the bottom of the lining remains free from glue and acts as a cushion at the bottom of the tube to protect the pen from the hard kydex shell.
20180102_095118[1] by my0771, on Flickr
After wrapping the tube I cut some pieces of leather and soaked them in water.
20180102_154115[1] by my0771, on Flickr
After shaping the leather I applied some chocolate brown dye.
20180102_162159[1] by my0771, on Flickr
I glued the outer cover to the inner core and applied some pressure to bring the pieces together.
20180108_120010[1] by my0771, on Flickr
I trimmed the edges and rounded them with a special tool I then shaped the top section around the lower section and applied some glue before stitching.
20180108_170442[1] by my0771, on Flickr
After trimming the upper section rounding and dying all of the edges I made the toggle / pen rest and selected two antiqued gold coloured ends for the thong.
20180108_211156[1] by my0771, on Flickr
The final step is to put all of the pieces together and give it a final polish
20180108_214824[1] by my0771, on Flickr
It is now on its way to its new home.
Thanks for looking
Michael
davegt (February 10th, 2018)
Like any maker I like feedback some of which has been that my cases are large so I have decided to make a case for a MB 149 as small as possible.
However I have set myself some rules the case must be strong and lightweight.
Normally I mark the dimensions of the case onto the wood I plan to make the mould from, This time I have drawn out the design.
20180204_193900[1] by my0771, on Flickr
I am going to stick to this as far as possible.
20180204_194030[1] by my0771, on Flickr
I will be using a slightly thinner leather which is 2 mm thick.
Thanks for looking
Michael
Once I was happy with the design on paper I laminated some pieces of plywood to the correct thickness.
20180206_095742[1] by my0771, on Flickr
I cut the shape out of the plywood and after quite a lot of sanding I had the desired shape
20180207_080609[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Time for a test moulding.
20180207_215012[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Looks ok time to wrap it in suede
Last edited by MY63; February 8th, 2018 at 03:14 AM.
One of my blog readers asked me if it would be possible to line one of these slim line Mont Blanc 149 cases in a fine leather.
So I now have two prototype slim line cases
20180208_184923[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Once the linings were dry I started to mould the outer leather covers made from 2 mm veg tanned shoulders.
20180209_083621[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Time to apply some dye chocolate brown and black.
20180209_101832[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Bringing the two pieces together
20180209_114037[1] by my0771, on Flickr
20180209_114005[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Michael,
It is a new year... and I have been on a long strange trip for an extended time, so it is nice to see how much more work you have been doing. Simply beautiful!!! The case you made for me still looks and feels new and exquisite, I am very happy to be the owner of a hand-made leather case from you.
Your work speaks for itsel!
I will be present more frequently, at least that is the plan! I love watching this thread!!!
MY63 (February 15th, 2018)
Thanks DaveGT it is nice to see you back I have to be honest the demand for pen cases has dropped off I guess every one who needs one has one I have started making leather belts. it is good to know that you are happy with your case I appreciate your support.
Once I have the two pieces covered in suede I also added a kydex strip along the back of the case this adds a lot of strength.
I made a template from grey board to help me mark out the stitching holes.
20180210_084652[1] by my0771, on Flickr
Fully stitched and with trimmed sides just the ends to cut.
20180210_195059[1] by my0771, on Flickr
The black and yellow was made the same way with some added yellow stitching to add a little detail.
20180212_183102[1] by my0771, on Flickr
After a little more trimming and edge finishing both will be finished and ready for sale.
A recent visitor to my blog had been searching for a padded travel case for fountain pens my wife and I have been recovering some chairs which has involved some thin padding so I thought I could use the remaining foam. I knew there would be plenty left over as I bought double what was required
Padding is new to me as I usually make hardened Kydex lined cases.
I thought it would be good to make some drawings and share my ideas with you unfortunately I forgot to allow for the fact that I cannot draw.
So I will try to explain what I am thinking five or maybe six pens odd numbers look better for some reason I am sure there is a formula some where. the pens will face the spine of the case this will open up the range of fastening options. Rather than just a zipper.
I am very keen to use quilted suede as part of the padding difficult without using a sewing machine but I am going to give it a go.
Rather than wasting time attempting more drawings I may make a model from card to test some ideas.
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