Wet Formed Cue Case

[CareyB]

This is my first commission: It's a Wet formed, semi-rigid, saddle stitched, single cue case (1x1 or one butt, and one shaft). Came out looking sort of like a saddle scabbard, don't you think?

Yes, that is a single run of stitching. I started half way (at the bottom), leaving half the thread hanging, stitched up to the mouth of the case, and finished there, then picked up the hanging thread, and stitched up to the mouth on the other side. It's only twelve feet of thread

The inside is unfinished, with a deerskin sleeve for the shaft. The sleeve is stitched into the slimmer side of the case like a welt. It runs out the bottom as well, so there's no opening for chalk to get in with the butt. Shafts get chalk on them anyway, but the wraps on cue butts can be very hard to clean.

In a related question: After all the sewing, I'm wondering how you figure price for that? Perhaps I'm slow, but considering this one, and the prototype, it takes about four hours to sew each one.

Carey

Leather Newb

[Rayban]

Nice job, I like it. Very nice looking hand stitching and well thought out project.

What weight leather did you use?

As for pricing it out.....guess you have to figure what that 4 hrs of stitching is worth to you.....$10, $20 per? Totally up to you.

[RiverCity]

Looks good, nice clean stitch work. Just curious, why did you decide to wet form the case?

Chuck

[Leprechaunleather]

really nice work !

[BDAZ]

I make a similar item and I have made plugs from dowels slightly larger than the item, then after the item is stitched, I case the leather on the top and insert the dowels and allow the item to dry. It holds it's shape well without the hassles of a form and lengthy drying.

As for costing the stitching, I really don't think one can charge any more than the cost of machine stitching, unless the hand stitching is a desirable feature and here, it's probably not. You need to price it based on what the case will readily sell for and then figure your miserable wage for hand stitching from there.

Cya!

Bob

[kwelna]

As for costing the stitching, I really don't think one can charge any more than the cost of machine stitching, unless the hand stitching is a desirable feature and here, it's probably not. You need to price it based on what the case will readily sell for and then figure your miserable wage for hand stitching from there.

Cya!

Bob

i am sorry Bob, I would have to disagree. You have to get paid for yourtime, and hand stitching is a value added feature whether it is of actual\quantifiable value (Stronget lighter etc. ) or perceived value (nicer, more refined, special, unique). If for no other reason than to give your additional labor a value. Stitching time is the largest part of my pricing, it far exceeds the cost of materals. Leather Newb, you are in a bit of trouble as you did not give tthe buyer an estimate up front, This handicaps your ability to negotiate a final price. I know nothing of the pool cue case market, so I can not offer an opinion on the actual price, but there are a few custom pool cue case makers on this web site, they may be able to give you what they would consider a reasonable pricing structure for this piece of work. It may be a good place to start.

NIce job and good luck!

Edited February 5, 2014 by kwelna

[CareyB]

@Rayban, The leather is 6/7oz.

@Chuck, I'm just interested in wet forming. I see that few people are doing it, and I wanted to try it for a couple of projects. I've done a bunch of iPhone sleeves this way. I find it funny that I'm making something which will last a hundred years, or more, but the thing it's designed to protect won't last more than two, or three.

If I can get good at this, and develop some good moulds, and techniques, I'm hopeful I can carve out a bit of a niche.

@bdaz, I thought about doing it that way, and saw a couple of guys doing it (perhaps one was you), but I wanted to try this specific technique, and was going for a specific look, and, in no small part, I was trying to be different.

@kwelna, I did a bit of research into the market, and I do know how to price out a product, so I'm on the right track, I think. The first one was for someone I know, and there were delays because of research, experiments, etc. I paid for the materials, and then some, but not even close to a reasonable wage on the labour, not to mention tooling costs, depreciation, etc. I was under by almost half. I'm a bit nervous this will not be a viable product at the price I would have to charge.

I'm still hopeful, though.

Thanks for the kind words, and good feedback.

Another question: Any idea what kind of speed I should be aiming for saddle stitching? I'm wondering if there's a 'stitches per hour' number, or perhaps 'inches per hour', or some such?

Carey

[Rayban]

Carey, my opinion is that if you intend to go at this niche market, you'll have to be competitive in price. You'll only be able to sell the hand-stitching benefits to a few.....most will buy because it's a cool looking product, not because it's hand stitched.

That case can be machine stitched in 10 minutes and wouldn't jeopardize the quality of the piece.

Sooner or later you'll have to decide if you want to spend half the day hand-stitching those things.

[CareyB]

Carey, my opinion is that if you intend to go at this niche market, you'll have to be competitive in price. You'll only be able to sell the hand-stitching benefits to a few.....most will buy because it's a cool looking product, not because it's hand stitched.

That case can be machine stitched in 10 minutes and wouldn't jeopardize the quality of the piece.

Sooner or later you'll have to decide if you want to spend half the day hand-stitching those things.

I hear you, Rayban. Lots to think about.

[Chris B]

On the hand stitching speed, you may be able to email Nigel Armitage (I do believe he is a member on here) or maybe Katsass, those two come straight to mind about hand stitching everything. They might be able to direct you to a certain speed. (I didnt mean to leave anyone out on here that also hand stitches, those two just popped into my head)

Chris