Tandy Cell Phone Case

[treadhead1952]

Hi All,

I realize that we have a lot of professionals out there and I am not specifically looking for a critique of my first project, I know that it has a couple of over strikes into the border, my pattern is off just a little on the flap and there are probably a couple of other sins that I have overlooked in my rosy view of this first round after so many years away from the subject. But all in all, I am tickled with it, it will house my personal cell phone for a while and that is the main reason for its' creation. I did take the time to draw an outline of the original leather pattern on some card stock for future reference and use before I did anything else. I will save the pattern as well as the instructions, decorating suggestions sheets and knowledge gained in its' construction. The thin leather provided in the kit, 4 to 5 oz. weight is not overly expensive especially if bought in a full sized half hide. I could build several of them, take them to the swap meet and make a small profit over my spare time.

In constructing this one, I glued the leather provided down to a piece of card board from an old shoe box to limit stretching with some contact cement. The contact cement was applied only to the card board side and allowed to dry completely. The leather was then pressed onto it for application of the stamping and dyeing the one side. After I peeled it up from the card and removed the remnants of card board from the back that hung on there, I dyed the opposite side and then finished both with a couple of coats of Eco-Flow Super Sheen. I slicked the edges down a bit and then started construction adding the belt clip first gluing it in with contact cement and then adding the rivet. Folding the two side panels over and gluing them down with some more contact cement first then riveting them in place made for a little more secure attachment than just using rivets. I added the self stick felt piece over the exposed rivets on the inside of the case then added the hook and loop Velcro fastening pad to the flap first making sure to follow directions and place the hook portion of the pad to the flap. Putting my cell phone in place and then removing the cover from the other side of the Velcro fastening pad, I got a nice tight fit that way. So now I have a little project that should sell, something to practice my stamping on as well as an item I can use to transport my personal cell phone in day to day that should last for a while.

And here is one shot of it with the cell phone in place. I will probably make the ones for sale up leaving the final cover on the self stick pad of the Velcro Fastening in place until someone purchases it and then with the phone intended to be used in the case, remove that cover to ensure a reasonably tight fitting closure.

Jay

treadhead1952

Las Vegas, NV

[treadhead1952]

Hi All,

I got a private message from one of the members concerning my little post here. The gist of it was a request for uploading a copy of my traced outline of the pattern to this website. I had considered doing that, but then reading over the instructions and decoration sheets that came with the kit, I came across the Copyright Notices generously plastered on the stuff at the bottom of each page and not wanting to get Johanna into trouble with the Tandy Corporation over a (Currently $9 on sale) cell phone case, I thought the better of it. I figure if an individual buys one from them and copies it ad infinite-um there isn't a whole lot that Tandy can do about it, but plastering any part of the design or parts there of on the web would probably be another story.

I will say after wearing it at my job all day, using it several times answering phone calls, getting in and out of the van I drive for work, making deliveries to our stores, it has held up just fine. No problems with it coming off of my belt, losing my cell phone, interfering with the seat belts of the vehicle or anything else rude, crude or socially unacceptable. So I suppose that is about all that one can say about an item as humble as a Cell Phone Case, well other than recommend it highly for anyone else looking for such an item.

[Nighthawk]

Love the basket weave! That looks really good.

***EDIT*** I have my own cell phone case pattern that I designed, which is not copywrited. I'll make a separate post with it, since there is some interest.

Edited January 15, 2011 by Nighthawk

[rickybobby]

Hey Jay!

It looks like you are on the road to being hooked on leather work. Just leave all your extra money at Tandy's and stock up on tools and stuff!!!

Good start on the cell phone case, to be careful about copying Tandys stuff is a good idea. We have all done it to trade or get an old pattern not available any longer but don't put it in a post, for a small item like a cell phone case ($9.00) the other party should buy it and make as many cases that they want to build their skills.

Good job on the case and keep posting your stuff. For additional critique, post it in the "Critique my work" section. You will get a lot more information then you may want:excuseme: .

We will be looking for more projects from you !!!

Rick J.

[treadhead1952]

Thanks both of you. And yes, I am hooked on leather work. Although it is about the fifth time over the course of more years than I care to think of.

Part of the package for this little Cell Phone Case are four other patterns besides the Basket Weave which was accomplished with the small X501 tool that I did. One of the other ones suggests using one of the Geometric Stamps from that set with the craft aid grid they sell for them. I suppose you could freelance any of a few different Geometric Stamps on there as well. There are two floral patterns and one that I almost did in lieu of the Basket Weave, a Snakes' Head. I think the Snakes' Head would look really exceptional with some fanciful dye or paint work. All of these patterns are designed to be copied over then traced over so you can add them to the leather.

And yes, like most things in life that are fun to do, it is gonna cost some money. Tandy seems to have that part down really well I think. But if I purchase a tool every payday as I have done in the past and get some leather to work with from a few different sources, I can contain those costs to a certain degree. With the odd purchased product such as this little case to supplement my own meager imagination, I can find lots of stuff to make. One of my other hobbies is knife collecting and while most of them do come with a sheath of some sort, building custom sheaths for them is one of the things I am looking forward to doing. Shooting is another of my hobbies so I have holsters, slings, cases and all the impedimentia that goes with that hobby as well to roam around in.

[treadhead1952]

Hi All,

I got a chance to do a little shopping at, where else?, Tandy's of course. I was in the market for some leather. My pocket book being somewhat deflated, I figured that I could probably afford a belly. Besides it was the perfect opportunity to go in and ask the ladies behind the counter 'how they were fixed for bellies'.

I wanted something a bit heavier than the lightweight leather that was provided in the original Cell Phone Case Kit.. While the little case works just fine, a heavier duty one would probably be better for long term use. I also have a couple of other ideas that I want to do that will require some leather in the 6 to 7 oz. line. I had the choice of three that they had in stock and for just under $15 I walked out the door with just what I required . Once I got done with my day at the salt mines, I turned my attention to the little card stock pattern tracing I had done of the original cell phone case. I had traced it out on a sheet of 110 pound card stock, I use it for making card models so I have lots of it around. It is roughly the thickness of a business card.

I selected a section of the belly that I had that looked pretty happening for this project and traced it out with a pencil. This got cut out with a pair of scissors. These are pair of Fiskars Titanium Scissors that I use for my card models and they are kept incredibly sharp, I have used them to cut out 1.5 mm thicknesses of card and they made short work of the leather. So now I have what appears to be a leather copy of Thor's Hammer to tinker on for my next incarnation of a Cell Phone Case.

Now I have to figure out what sort of a tooling pattern I will be adding to this one.

[electrathon]

You might consider sewing the back instead of riviting. Over time, the rivits will scratch the finish off the phone where ever it touches.

Also included a knife scabbard idea.

Aaron

[mountain man]

Hi All,

I realize that we have a lot of professionals out there and I am not specifically looking for a critique of my first project, I know that it has a couple of over strikes into the border, my pattern is off just a little on the flap and there are probably a couple of other sins that I have overlooked in my rosy view of this first round after so many years away from the subject. But all in all, I am tickled with it, it will house my personal cell phone for a while and that is the main reason for its' creation. I did take the time to draw an outline of the original leather pattern on some card stock for future reference and use before I did anything else. I will save the pattern as well as the instructions, decorating suggestions sheets and knowledge gained in its' construction. The thin leather provided in the kit, 4 to 5 oz. weight is not overly expensive especially if bought in a full sized half hide. I could build several of them, take them to the swap meet and make a small profit over my spare time.

In constructing this one, I glued the leather provided down to a piece of card board from an old shoe box to limit stretching with some contact cement. The contact cement was applied only to the card board side and allowed to dry completely. The leather was then pressed onto it for application of the stamping and dyeing the one side. After I peeled it up from the card and removed the remnants of card board from the back that hung on there, I dyed the opposite side and then finished both with a couple of coats of Eco-Flow Super Sheen. I slicked the edges down a bit and then started construction adding the belt clip first gluing it in with contact cement and then adding the rivet. Folding the two side panels over and gluing them down with some more contact cement first then riveting them in place made for a little more secure attachment than just using rivets. I added the self stick felt piece over the exposed rivets on the inside of the case then added the hook and loop Velcro fastening pad to the flap first making sure to follow directions and place the hook portion of the pad to the flap. Putting my cell phone in place and then removing the cover from the other side of the Velcro fastening pad, I got a nice tight fit that way. So now I have a little project that should sell, something to practice my stamping on as well as an item I can use to transport my personal cell phone in day to day that should last for a while.

And here is one shot of it with the cell phone in place. I will probably make the ones for sale up leaving the final cover on the self stick pad of the Velcro Fastening in place until someone purchases it and then with the phone intended to be used in the case, remove that cover to ensure a reasonably tight fitting closure.

Jay

treadhead1952

Las Vegas, NV

nice

[treadhead1952]

Hi Aaron,

Yeah, they include a pad of some soft fuzzy material with a self stick back to it to protect your cell phone from getting scratched up. I was considering some stitch work on this second one rather than the rivet action, I like sewing this stuff up. That is a nice looking sheath, I like the insert, what is that, Ray?

Thanks Mtn, Man, it has been a long while since I did anything in the way of stamping or leather construction. With all the knives I have and other stuff, it is just time to get busy again.

[electrathon]

Yes, the inlay is stingray. There is a short trimmed layer of sheepskin behind it to mape it "poofy".

[treadhead1952]

Hi Aaron,

Living out here in the desert, I will have to come up with a supplier to get some of those exotics or go do a little Snake Huntin' out in the tulies and rocks to harvest some of my own.

I need to pick up a skiving knife so I can shape the edges of my newest cell phone case before I get started on it. I do like the way that using the adjustable gouging tool worked to outline the edge of the pattern before I started working on stamping it. It also came in handy when I finished the pattern off with the camouflage tool that I have. I am also thinking about adding a belt loop to it instead of the clip. The way that it goes together, I can sew the belt loop to the back part of it, fold it up and then stitch the sides up on either side of the loop. That would eliminate all but the self stick Velcro patch to close the flap as far as extra bits that would have to be purchased and added to the case.

[electrathon]

Jay,

If you are harvesting your own, this is more in line. Likely not many stingrays near to you. The inlay was a rattle snake I bought off ebay a couple years ago.

One of the best tools you can buy for cleaning up your edges is a drywall sanding sponge. You can smooth out your jerky cuts easily. Plus they are cheap and easy to get. I like the metal clip better than a loop, just in case I need to pull it off my belt. Definatly a personal preferance. I used a thin maget for the closer. Velcro will wear out over time opening and closing it, the magnet will not.

Your basket waeve is sideways. It should go side to side, not top to bottom.

Aaron