CFM chuck123wapati Posted November 4, 2019 CFM Report Posted November 4, 2019 20 hours ago, maxdaddy said: Thanks... and absolutely! The pictures above were taken prior to the mugs being sealed with beeswax. I apply a pretty thick coating of beeswax which makes them completely water, and beer, tight. So fill us in on the sealing process and the maintenance process after wards . Do you just heat the wax and pour it in for a bit or do you heat the mug also? How do you clean them after use? Me thinks those are gonna be a project for many on here. Quote Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms. “I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!
Members maxdaddy Posted November 4, 2019 Members Report Posted November 4, 2019 The waxing technique that I've settled on is: Melt the wax in a double boiler setup Pour it into the mug and swirl around to get consistent coverage Pour the remaining wax back out. Repeat as needed until the desired thickness is achieved As for cleaning after use, I recommend that customers rinse/spray with cool water then gently wipe and drain upside down. No soap or hot water. The whole process with the wax and the hardening of the leather makes a very solid feel, but the wax is susceptible to cracking if dropped or crushed. I've had to re-wax a few, but have also had some luck with setting a damaged mug in the sun for a while and letting the wax soften up and self-seal. That's worked for small cracks in the wax. Quote
Members archerydude Posted November 7, 2019 Members Report Posted November 7, 2019 I'd like to have a go at making one of these. How is the base sewn in? Also can you laminate the sides to get a smooth inner and outer? Cheers Conrad Quote
Members maxdaddy Posted November 15, 2019 Members Report Posted November 15, 2019 On 11/7/2019 at 1:11 PM, archerydude said: How is the base sewn in? The bottoms on the pictured mugs were wet formed to make a 'cup' shape and then shoved up inside the body of the pre-punched mug and stitched. I never got that process down to a consistent repeatable set of steps and each one was a real pain in the butt. I use wood bottoms nowadays. I made a jig for the bandsaw to cut wood circles with angled sides and that saves a TON of time in the process. On 11/7/2019 at 1:11 PM, archerydude said: can you laminate the sides to get a smooth inner and outer? If by 'smooth outer' you mean 'no visible stitch lines', then you'd probably want to lap/skive and glue the seam. Then yo could use smaller thread and get a smother look. Mine are butted and cross stitched. These mugs were some of the first that I ever made, and since I don't have a source for more antlers, I've considered removing the handles and building another mug for them. I'm sure they would turn out better now that I've got more experience. Quote
Members BBL Posted November 16, 2019 Author Members Report Posted November 16, 2019 On 11/7/2019 at 1:11 PM, archerydude said: I'd like to have a go at making one of these. How is the base sewn in? Also can you laminate the sides to get a smooth inner and outer? Cheers Conrad Conrad... I have had a go at leather bottoms whip stitched on both outside and inside several times, just as maxdaddy specified but had no luck coming up with a consistent process. So I couldn’t make several at a time for multiple customers. This cut into my profit margin big time. I have been doing 1/2” - 5/8” wood bottoms for a while now and it helps create a heavier, solid and easily water (beer) tight bottom. I use small 19s, 5/8” nails every 1.5” - 2” to keep it secured to the leather. Adhered around the inside edge of the wood. After sealing, the bottom becomes weighted and gives a very nice finished look if polyurethaned or Polyurethane is considered food safe, by the way. Use whatever wood you like. I have used several but find that white oak, pin oak and mahogany are wonderful for weight. Poplar, cherry, locust create a beautiful color and pattern. I have been using Envirotex on the inside only, for sealing if you have a customer that wants to enjoy both cold and hot beverage. But the downside is that it leaves a very high gloss finish and can be extremely messy during the sealing process. If you want a more natural, “leather look”, use beeswax, paraffin wax or brewers pitch... pitch is a 50/50 mix of pine tar and beeswax. Very sticky when heated. Quote
Members BBL Posted November 16, 2019 Author Members Report Posted November 16, 2019 (edited) I apologize the string of posts... I think of things after I post lol. Once the mugs cure fully, some of them become hard as wood! Hard enough to stand on. I guess that also depends on the thickness of your leather as well. Most mugs, I am using a nice thick 14oz veg tan. Armor/shield weight leather. Expensive but well worth it. As I make mostly armor, it’s something I always have on hand. At the MD ren faire one year, I had one of my mugs sitting on a bench and a rather large gentleman came over and sat down, failing to see the mug. When he stood back up, the mugs shape was still retained. The seal was not cracked. I ran over to get a drink and it was still fluid tight! Successful trial! Edited November 16, 2019 by BBL Quote
Members BBL Posted November 16, 2019 Author Members Report Posted November 16, 2019 There we go... compressed. Quote
Members BBL Posted November 16, 2019 Author Members Report Posted November 16, 2019 One photo is examples of the various stitching patterns I have used. The other is an example of Envirotex sealing on the inside. I have my little process for how I get some of the colors and hardening. And my leather handles are 2 pieces whip stitched down the edges. They are contoured handles. Wide at the top, thinner at the bottom. Kind of sets mine apart from others... which I feel is ultimately what all leather workers want to do. But make it yours. Develop your own little tricks and designs. That’s the fun stuff... the experimenting! maxdaddy, I will have some antler handles posted here very soon! Quote
Members maxdaddy Posted November 16, 2019 Members Report Posted November 16, 2019 Those are very unique looking. Is this the Envirotex product that you use? https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Technology-128-Ounce-Finish-Gallon/dp/B000LNW022?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-osx-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000LNW022 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.