Djumpster Posted 16 February , 2023 Author Share Posted 16 February , 2023 Hello! So I've made a little progress that I wanted to share with you. I studied a whole bunch of photos I found online, combined those with MikB's measurements, and drew up this pattern: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djumpster Posted 16 February , 2023 Author Share Posted 16 February , 2023 (edited) I printed the pattern onto some sticker paper and cut the pieces out of a strip of scrap leather I got from the cobbler. I used a belt sander to tidy up the pieces, then marked the stitching holes with a scratch compass. Edited 16 February , 2023 by Djumpster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djumpster Posted 16 February , 2023 Author Share Posted 16 February , 2023 (edited) And this is where it's currently at! I didn't have enough leather to do it all in one colour, but this is just a prototype so it doesn't matter. I'm hoping to start work on the final version somewhere in the upcoming days. I'll be making it from the smoother leather I used for the 'rind', but dyed to a darker shade. More to follow! Edited 16 February , 2023 by Djumpster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasemuseum Posted 16 February , 2023 Share Posted 16 February , 2023 Looking good ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEd Posted 16 February , 2023 Share Posted 16 February , 2023 Looks great, I can recommend fiebings leather dye for the dye - and either burnish or seal the edges. I burnish with a small wooden slick stick or on larger pieces a spinning wooden dowel in a drill. For the final item I would burnish or edge seal before sewing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interested Posted 16 February , 2023 Share Posted 16 February , 2023 Well done, good enough to be the final version, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17107BM Posted 19 February , 2023 Share Posted 19 February , 2023 Very impressed. Such skill. Thanks for sharing. Will follow with interest. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djumpster Posted 20 February , 2023 Author Share Posted 20 February , 2023 (edited) Thanks for the kind words! The prototype is finished (I decided to cut some corners and glued the rest) and has allowed me to fine-tune the final design. I'll post some more pictures when I have time. Currently waiting for a piece of burgundy baize to arrive in the post so I can start experimenting with doing the lining 🤞 Edited 20 February , 2023 by Djumpster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djumpster Posted 27 February , 2023 Author Share Posted 27 February , 2023 (edited) Traced, ...dyed, ...and cut out all the parts. I did two of everything because the leather is only 2mm thick, so I'll sandwich them together to get more stiffness.The rind I'll make out of a single layer of 3mm leather. Got hold of a scrap piece of billiards table cloth that I will use for the lining. Not exactly the same type of material as the originals would have had (I think) but it's 100% wool and feels very soft. I'll post some more pictures soon 👋 Edited 27 February , 2023 by Djumpster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djumpster Posted 16 April , 2023 Author Share Posted 16 April , 2023 (edited) Hey folks, It's been awhile, but the build is still ongoing and I've got some progress to show! Glued the oval faces together and added some stitching grooves: Rounded, darkened and buffed the edges: ...and glued on the wool lining. Faces are done! Edited 16 April , 2023 by Djumpster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 16 April , 2023 Share Posted 16 April , 2023 It’s looking very good to me. I admire your craftsmanship. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djumpster Posted 16 April , 2023 Author Share Posted 16 April , 2023 (edited) I then cut out a strip for the 'rind', and started work on the straps that run over the lid to keep it in place. As the inside of the rind also has to be lined with a layer of wool, I had to sew the straps on first before I could apply the lining. Here I size the small leather keepers by folding them around the folded over straps. Punched and stitched, this is what they look like on the back: And from the front! I also applied a little decorative groove on the strap itself as well as on the keeper. And finally, skipping a few steps (forgot to take pictures), this is what the straps now look like sewn onto the rind. All of a sudden it's starting to take shape Edited 16 April , 2023 by Djumpster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 16 April , 2023 Share Posted 16 April , 2023 Excellent, and fascinating to see the process step by step so thank you…..I can only echo Simon’s comment. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djumpster Posted 20 April , 2023 Author Share Posted 20 April , 2023 (edited) Thank you! To be honest I'm a bit surprised by how well it's turning out myself Here's a few more pics. I glued the lining onto the rind with some neoprene cement, and cut out strips where the faces will attach: Skipping a few steps again (I forget to take pictures when I'm too focused ), but now it's really starting to shape up. I marked where the stitches should go with the scratch compass, then punched the holes in with an awl. Found out the hard way that the box stitch is a very time-consuming technique, but I'm very happy with the result. And another one from the inside. I really love how the wool looks... It isn't exactly the baize I was going for, but it looks authentic enough to me and will do what it's meant to do. (I scored the leather using the groover before I glued the lining on, so that the stitching nicely recesses into the leather.) I hope to get round to doing the other side over the weekend! Edited 20 April , 2023 by Djumpster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 20 April , 2023 Share Posted 20 April , 2023 Fantastic workmanship, great therapy! Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17107BM Posted 21 April , 2023 Share Posted 21 April , 2023 Brilliant! Really enjoy keeping up with this thread. Thanks for posting. Gary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEd Posted 27 April , 2023 Share Posted 27 April , 2023 That is lovey work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interested Posted 27 April , 2023 Share Posted 27 April , 2023 I expect to see you as part of the team on the Repair Shop next. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikB Posted 27 April , 2023 Share Posted 27 April , 2023 This is looking to be a top-class piece of reverse engineering. Congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djumpster Posted 9 May , 2023 Author Share Posted 9 May , 2023 (edited) Thanks once again for the kind words everyone. I appreciate the encouragement! Tbh working on the Repair Shop team sounds like a dream job, so who knows Anyways, I've got some more pics. I've been on holiday, ill, and generally busy, so apologies for not posting for some time! --------- I found out I'd forgotten some stitching on the strap, so I had to strip off the wool lining again Thankfully some brute force was enough to rip it off, and it didn't damage the wool at all. You can just make out I'd already punched the leather a bit when I realised my mistake: Punched through the strap and the rind using the awl, after marking the strap using a small cardboard template I made. Then stitched the strap onto the rind and glued everything back. I've decided to allow myself some creative freedom and make an adjustment that I'm not sure is entirely period accurate: I'm going to add a belt loop. I've seen historical specimens that actually have this feature, but I suspect they might be WWII. Nevertheless, as I intend to really take this thing out in the field with me, I want to make sure it is as useful as it can be. At the bottom of the picture is a prototype I cobbled together, top is the back of the lid with the cut-away for the loop sketched out on some masking tape. I've sized the loop so that it should fit a 1908 Pattern webbing belt or similar. Edited 9 May , 2023 by Djumpster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djumpster Posted 5 June , 2023 Author Share Posted 5 June , 2023 (edited) Finally found some time to continue the work again. I figured it was about time to finish this, so I've put on some serious elbow grease over the weekend and am now almost finished. Here's the belt loop being stitched onto the back face: And the whole thing being stitched to the rind. Also made this nifty little thing to help me with the stitching. It's essentially like a shoe last made from some mdf with a layer of leather glues on top. Great for keeping everything supported while stitching. Edited 5 June , 2023 by Djumpster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djumpster Posted 5 June , 2023 Author Share Posted 5 June , 2023 Moving over to the front again to glue the front face of the lid onto the rind. I've marked the stitches with a ballpoint. Stitching the front face of the lid onto the rind... And all of a sudden it looks almost finished! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 5 June , 2023 Share Posted 5 June , 2023 At the risk of repeating myself I’d like to say what an amazing job you have done. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyH Posted 6 June , 2023 Share Posted 6 June , 2023 Congratulations, a really high standard of work. Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickaren Posted 6 June , 2023 Share Posted 6 June , 2023 Excellent work Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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