Members thekid77 Posted June 4, 2013 Members Report Posted June 4, 2013 Hi friends, This was my first go at a box pocket... I was wondering if anyone could suggest a way to neatly trim off the excess leather flaps on each corner??? As can be seen in the photos, I trimmed off the flaps, but they look raw and unfinished... I have thought about getting some thin transparency film to lay on the leather when i'm making the cuts so that I can trim as close as possible without cutting the leather along the edge... Anyone chime in? Thanks!!! Quote
Members Dwight Posted June 4, 2013 Members Report Posted June 4, 2013 The way I would make that item is to mold it in one piece, . . . no seam at the corner. You need to make a wooden form to do that, . . . and the first few seem hard, . . . but you should quickly catch on. Basically the male form half is the exact shape and size of the INSIDE of the piece, . . . included rounded and shaped corners. The female form half is the exact shape and size of the OUTSIDE of the piece. Be sure to sand this piece carefully so there are no burrs or ridges to leave marks on your leather. Putting the two together in your hand, . . . you should see the differenct between them as just a little over the thickness of the leather you want to use. I usually make mine out of southern yellow pine, . . . just one 8 foot 2 x 8 lasts me a long time making these forms. The most important tool you need is a good router and router blades, . . . PM me if you have any trouble figuring it out. You will really be impressed when you take your first one out. Just soak your leather really good and wet, . . . make sure to cut it plenty big, . . . lay it over the male piece, . . . squeeze the female piece down on it, . . . clamp it for an hour or two, . . . gently separate them, . . . hang it up to dry, . . . you'll love it. May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Tree Reaper Posted June 4, 2013 Report Posted June 4, 2013 I agree with Dwight that you should mold the leather from one piece and avoid seams. If you don't have the tools to make the matching forms then foam rubber can be used to mold the case over a simple block of wood. Quote
Members Jazznow Posted June 4, 2013 Members Report Posted June 4, 2013 Hi tree Reaper, could you explain the details of this? Not sure what foam rubber is.... Thanks Jonathan Quote
Members Matt S Posted June 4, 2013 Members Report Posted June 4, 2013 Why is foam rubber needed Tree Reaper? Something to mould over, a scrap of wood and a few tacks ought to do. Quote
Tree Reaper Posted June 4, 2013 Report Posted June 4, 2013 (edited) If you get foam rubber about an inch thick,( two is better)specially made for forming wet leather you can put your wooden form on a piece of plywood,wet leather on top of that , the foam on top of that and another piece of plywood on top of that then clamp the entire works together using C-clamps or a vise. I use a 10 ton shop press. 40 durometer foam is too stiff but there is some foam here that I have yet to try ... http://www.knifekits...roducts_id=4293 I'm forming some cell foam cases today, just took the mold out of the shop press. This will make two cases. a scrap of wood and a few tacks ought to do. A few scraps of wood will work after forming but the molding process is easier when more than one item is being made and the finished product will look better coming out of a mold. Edited June 4, 2013 by Tree Reaper Quote
Members thekid77 Posted June 4, 2013 Author Members Report Posted June 4, 2013 Hey everyone, thanks so much for the feedback... I actually have wet formed quite a few items and had much success...but this was a different technique that I found in the Stohlman case making book that I was curious about.... Why does the box pocket technique exist when molding the leather is so much easier?? Is it mainly for making pockets out of lighter weight leather?? I'm at a loss... Can anyone shed some light on the "box pocket" technique and when it might ideally be used? Thank you everyone!!! Quote
Tree Reaper Posted June 4, 2013 Report Posted June 4, 2013 It's a dated process and worked during that time without the molding foam and shop presses that are now available. Quote
Members thekid77 Posted June 4, 2013 Author Members Report Posted June 4, 2013 Thanks Tree, I like the technique...I see that it is still being used today on cases for pool cues...which brings me back to my original question... It would be great if anyone could tell me how to neatly trim off the leather flaps at the corners without cutting into the leather near the bottom... Let's assume that a person is using the box pocket technique and is not molding/forming the leather... Thanks!!! Quote
Tree Reaper Posted June 4, 2013 Report Posted June 4, 2013 Stohlman has it step by step on page 28 of volume one "making leather cases". Quote
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