Clam, on the half shell.

[Mjolnir]

'The Klingon Klam'. minus several more layers of tongue oil.

This is were I need help. I can hinge it on the bottom or the side. a leather strap to pull it together. What I want is a hinged opening and a wooden ball that slides up to lock it ( A slit from the bottom of the arc so you raise the knob to lock it). the other option is a hinged wooden bar in the middle that you pull down to open it. Yeah I'm reaching. hope that made sense. suggestions please!?

Edited December 26, 2017 by Mjolnir
add

[shock]

Edit: i am not a smart man

Edited December 27, 2017 by shock

[Jake907]

27 minutes ago, shock said:

Edit: i am not a smart man

@shock but you can be a smarter man if you hang out with guys like this, the first time I saw his clam project, I was blown away, like "holy crap, how did he do that!"

Did you notice that I changed my leather specialty? lol

Edited December 27, 2017 by Jake907

[YinTx]

19 hours ago, Mjolnir said:

suggestions please!

These look really good.  Proof is in the puddin, as they say though.  When you start using it in earnest, you'll decide on design changes.  I know it's not quite finished, but one thing I see that could become an issue is the points on your decorative wood catching your thread as you stitch.  You have no idea how annoying getting my thread looped around something when I am in my stitching kata zone is. Not to mention it jacks up the tension, and you have to pull out a few stitches back to get everything back to rights again.

Same might be said for the clam closing mechanism.  Lot of folks frustrated with the inexpensive versions with a bolt and a wing nut, hanging up the thread as they stitch along.

For me, the strap on the inside of clams always limits the size of item you can stitch.  Same with the size and shape of the clam.  So really depends on what you are making, as to what kind/shape/style of clam will be most useful for you.  Me, I need a tiny attachment now so I can do watch straps.  No way I can do them on my saddler's horse!

Just food for thought as you go through with your progressive engineering.  Your clams are really nice, and I think you might find an audience here that would be interested in purchasing if you set your price right and your quality is right along with the design.

YinTx

[Mjolnir]

27 minutes ago, YinTx said:

These look really good.  Proof is in the puddin, as they say though.  When you start using it in earnest, you'll decide on design changes.  I know it's not quite finished, but one thing I see that could become an issue is the points on your decorative wood catching your thread as you stitch.  You have no idea how annoying getting my thread looped around something when I am in my stitching kata zone is. Not to mention it jacks up the tension, and you have to pull out a few stitches back to get everything back to rights again.

Same might be said for the clam closing mechanism.  Lot of folks frustrated with the inexpensive versions with a bolt and a wing nut, hanging up the thread as they stitch along.

For me, the strap on the inside of clams always limits the size of item you can stitch.  Same with the size and shape of the clam.  So really depends on what you are making, as to what kind/shape/style of clam will be most useful for you.  Me, I need a tiny attachment now so I can do watch straps.  No way I can do them on my saddler's horse!

Just food for thought as you go through with your progressive engineering.  Your clams are really nice, and I think you might find an audience here that would be interested in purchasing if you set your price right and your quality is right along with the design.

YinTx

Thank you for that. My jaw dropped and kept open as I read. Very valid observations, and solid advice.

What kind of tiny attachment for a watch strap do you mean. Can you show an idea?

Edited December 27, 2017 by Mjolnir

[YinTx]

3 hours ago, Mjolnir said:

What kind of tiny attachment for a watch strap do you mean. Can you show an idea?

Someone on here had an example they were using just last month or so, and showed an up close photo of it, but for the life of me I can't remember who or where or what topic it was under.  If I come across it, I'll cross post it to here so you can see.

YinTx

[Mjolnir]

thanks. taking your advice on avoiding thread snags. just a slight mod. I'll keep up making never seen before stuff. But with a KISS (keep it simple stupid!) Who needs bells and whistles. I love the shape of this thing and I'm pretty sure they didn't originally have hinges, nor holes and leather straps going through the middle.

So you need an attachment for watchstraps but don't have one? Describe what would work. mini clam... what? I've never sewn one.

 

Edited December 27, 2017 by Mjolnir
ps

[Mjolnir]

5 hours ago, Mjolnir said:

Thank you for that. My jaw dropped and kept open as I read. Very valid observations, and solid advice.

What kind of tiny attachment for a watch strap do you mean. Can you show an idea?

mini me clam  needs work but... Maybe spoons would be better. I'm only half kidding.

add tongue depressors.

Edited December 27, 2017 by Mjolnir
ps

[thefanninator]

YinTx had a lot of good points there. Something catching my thread while stitching is about the most annoying thing on the planet. Or the object you're stitching moves or falls out of the clam because it's not tight enough.

[Jake907]

2 hours ago, Mjolnir said:

mini me clam  needs work but... Maybe spoons would be better. I'm only half kidding.

add tongue depressors.

And now a story on redneck ingenuity....

I like it, simple, repurposed, easily repeatable, earth friendly...cute? lol.

Can I steal your idea?