Card Wallet, Card Holder, and Pen Pouch

[andrewsejlv]

Here are a couple photos of my recent work:

Flat Card Wallet

Business Card Bifold

Pen Pouch

One thing I want to improve on is the quality of my edge finish. Right now I'm using Gum Tragacanth with a homemade slicking bit I made for my dremel tool. The issue with this is that I use a laser cutter to cut my items out, and this leaves a charred edge, which is difficult to remove. When I bevel the exposed edges, I get the contrast between the fresh leather of the bevel and the charred face from the laser cutter.

To overcome this, I need to either find a good way to clean the charred edges or start to die/paint the edges to get a uniform finish. If anyone has any ideas on cleaning the charred edges, it would be greatly appreciated. 

General feedback on my designs or workmanship is also welcome and appreciated, as I'm here to learn.

[thefanninator]

Nice work. Check out Hidepounder's edge finishing tutorial.

 

You could also paint your edges. Either way spend some time doing some fine sanding.

[bikermutt07]

Mmmmmmmm Lasers.

[Sanch]

Laaaazers....and machine stitches.....use 300 grit on the edges, saddle soap, water let dry till almost back to normal then burnish then dye black! your work looks impeccable by the way.

[andrewsejlv]

16 hours ago, thefanninator said:

Nice work. Check out Hidepounder's edge finishing tutorial.

 

You could also paint your edges. Either way spend some time doing some fine sanding.

Thanks, I'll take a look through that thread. 

14 hours ago, bikermutt07 said:

Mmmmmmmm Lasers.

It is such a satisfying tool to use. The fact that you can cut through material with highly focused light never looses its magic.

12 hours ago, Sanch said:

Laaaazers....and machine stitches.....use 300 grit on the edges, saddle soap, water let dry till almost back to normal then burnish then dye black! your work looks impeccable by the way.

Lasers and hand stitching. The laser makes perfectly straight and evenly spaced holes for stitching, so the results tend to come out well.

Do you use the water and saddle soap on the edges while sanding? I've been sanding the edges, but doing it dry.

[Sanch]

38 minutes ago, andrewsejlv said:

Thanks, I'll take a look through that thread. 

It is such a satisfying tool to use. The fact that you can cut through material with highly focused light never looses its magic.

Lasers and hand stitching. The laser makes perfectly straight and evenly spaced holes for stitching, so the results tend to come out well.

Do you use the water and saddle soap on the edges while sanding? I've been sanding the edges, but doing it dry.

dry sand water andsaddle soap after.

[JMudRockFlats]

3 hours ago, andrewsejlv said:

It is such a satisfying tool to use. The fact that you can cut through material with highly focused light never looses its magic.

Lasers and hand stitching. The laser makes perfectly straight and evenly spaced holes for stitching, so the results tend to come out well.

I like magic. Please share more info on your laser setup

[andrewsejlv]

 

dry sand water andsaddle soap after.

Thanks for the info. I just put some saddle soap in my amazon cart, looking forward to giving it a shot.

50 minutes ago, JMudRockFlats said:

I like magic. Please share more info on your laser setup

Right now I'm using the laser cutters at the local makerspace (TechShop), a Trotec Speedy 300 and a Universal Laser Systems V4.6. I can post up information about the machines and workflow if it's of interest (I'll start a new thread if it is). I'll be heading over there thursday/friday to cut another batch of new product designs.

That said, I'm working on building my own laser cutter right now. 60W Recci tube (water cooled), 600mmx900mm working area, smart exhaust system, and hopefully under $2400 if all comes together well.

I've been keeping detailed documentation of the build, and would be happy to post up about the build and my general laser workflow once it is finished.

Edited April 18, 2017 by andrewsejlv

[Brianm77]

I have been using natural antique paste from fiebings instead of the saddle soap on stuff that is non veg, at the advice of bikermutt07.  I have had good results.  Not quite as good as veg tann but better than what I was getting with saddle soap. 

[battlemunky]

To think you are handstitching that is crazy, laser holes or not. Your work is incredibly clean man. Beautiful stuff.