Display Case

[BrokenolMarine]

Got out for another couple hours. Took my spray bottle and "cased" the leather. This involves wetting it enough that the cutting is smooth and stays nice. It turns dark, and as it begins to lighten back to it's dry color and is cool to the touch it's ready to work. I take my time and cut in the design. The LONG border framing and the circle in the lower right hand corner for my logo I cut in free hand. The quilt pattern I used a ruler as a guide but still had to be VERY careful to follow my pattern. The pucker factor was HIGH.

27 design cut in.jpg (594.04 KiB) Viewed 3078 times

After the cut in was done I left the leather with weight on it to flatten and went to dinner with Miss T. The next step will be to begin tooling. Prior to tooling, you tape the back of the leather with Packing Tape or Painter's Tape to prevent the tooling from distorting the shape. Failing to do so will cause the leather to draw or spread and your perfectly sized piece of tooled leather will no longer fit.

After dinner the leather had dried and I taped the back and we will be ready to tool when the time comes. I won't rush it.

28 back taped.jpg (652.17 KiB) Viewed 3078 times

I am looking forward to it, arthritic aches and all.

[BrokenolMarine]

The blank space in the middle?

Magnets will go there.
The pencil lines still around the edge?

Mark the location of the shoe molding after assembly.

We are still good to go.

[Hatchdog]

Awesome. I was thinking you should use cloth as it would probably be easier but nooooooo, you went the hard route. Thank you for that because it’s going to be beautiful. Interesting all the little “tricks” you share with us which makes us appreciate your work even more.


“I was going to tool the floral pattern in the upper left, but Miss T said no one will notice with the KNIVES in the case. (Compliment? Or Smart Azz remark? )”

Compliment, definitely a compliment. (And well deserved too)

[BrokenolMarine]

I got out this afternoon after morning chores, and started in on tooling. The first step is using a checkered bevel to alternate beveling on each side of each line. I did the diagonal lines going ONE way so far. There are a lot of line, and two sides, I did the lines on ONE side and you can tell the difference. Hands started to ache, so I stopped. If you push with weakened grip you make mistakes. (The mallet weighs a pound.)

29 started tooling.jpg (661.17 KiB) Viewed 3059 times

This is the very first step in a long process for the Basket Weave... but looking at the close up, you can already begin to see it appear....

30 close up view.jpg (598.04 KiB) Viewed 3059 times

After tooling both sides with the checkered bevel, from both directions... I'll go back and smooth the bevels with a lined footprint shader. You'll see it next. Other steps will follow. Like I said, "We've Only Just Begun."

Once the Basket Weave is complete, then there is the Serpentine Border.

[BrokenolMarine]

I got back out and worked on the beveling again. How about a better look at the bevel?

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They call it a checkered bevel because it's ... checkered...

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This helps it darken the leather and accent as you bevel the edges of the cuts or design. I got back to work, working the sides of the lines I had already worked in the first session. The trick here is to look at each "Block" and determine if your previous bevels faced IN or OUT. The blocks edges are pairs. If they have a pair of INs, they need a pair of OUTs or vice versa. Work your way thru the area and make that happen, working slowly so you don't mess up the pattern.

31 beveling done.jpg (844.12 KiB) Viewed 3052 times

A long view of the completed base beveling of this side. Next up I'll bevel the opposite side with the Checkered Bevel, then move on to the Lined Footprint Shader to give it more accent and a better transition.

35 lined footprint shader.jpg (466.03 KiB) Viewed 3052 times

[Hatchdog]

That’s pretty amazing doing the basketweave you do. I guess I have never thought about it before but I had no idea how by creating shading and a semi 3D effect presto, there’s the basketweave. Your patience is incredible.

[BrokenolMarine]

That’s pretty amazing doing the basketweave you do. I guess I have never thought about it before but I had no idea how by creating shading and a semi 3D effect presto, there’s the basketweave. Your patience is incredible.

Still a lot to go, keep watching. If I don't blow it along the way, this project should turn out really nice. It would work well for a display case for handguns or rifles as well. I plod along, but get there in the end. Years ago, I decided to try and make a case for my Henry Big Boy Carbine... to see if I could. Stops and Starts along the way to figure out this or that... and that turned out all right.

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and it closes.jpg (271.47 KiB) Viewed 3035 times

[BrokenolMarine]

That build along is here somewhere... or should still be. LOL.

[BrokenolMarine]

Back at it this morning... I started the basic beveling on the other side and got the first angle of lines done. It's looking good. Taking my time and working slowly. After finishing the task I took a break to rest my hands. I'll work the other set of lines just as I did with the first side, after lunch.

36 started other side.jpg (993.17 KiB) Viewed 3028 times

Here is a closer look at the start on the basic bevel. You can already see the basket weave start to appear, and as discussed in the earlier posts, the "pairs" of bevels. INs and Outs.

37 closer look.jpg (856.56 KiB) Viewed 3028 times

[BrokenolMarine]

The basic beveling is done. Either late this afternoon or tomorrow, I'll move to the lined footprint and start addressing each square for more character and the real basketweave will start to appear. (Hopefully.) But, it's beginning to look like something. I don't feel like I wasted a big side of leather.

38 basic beveling done.jpg (574.09 KiB) Viewed 3027 times

I can even see improvement in the work as I moved thru all those blocks.

39 close up.jpg (745.18 KiB) Viewed 3027 times

[BrokenolMarine]

I watched the lined shoeprint beveling section again this morning, and after coffee, went out to start. I looked at all the work I had done so far and thought, I need to give this a try first. I selected a scrap piece from the bucket and quickly tooled it to the same condition as the large panel, then taking the footprint bevel, started the shading. It actually went well. I was pleased with the results, and added the accent cuts too.

40 practice scrap.jpg (442.99 KiB) Viewed 3081 times

Comfortable now, I started on the large panel and took my time. One thing I learned, it's slow going. There are about thirty five columns on each side, and in the hour or so of tooling before I had to stop, I knocked out ten. NOT going to push and make a mistake or end up having to take a couple day's break because I didn't listen to the body... arthur tells me when to stop and rest.

41 started on the panel.jpg (481.28 KiB) Viewed 3081 times

The newly tooled section is on the left, you should be able to see the difference, and I think it's coming along well. In the long run, it will be worth the pain, especially once the border is added.

More later, watch this space.

[BrokenolMarine]

I went back out to work on the panel, but only got through about four columns when I was done. Headache came on. I think the day was done hand wise and head wise. I did however get a finish test done on the scrap first. I used a yellow stain on one half, and let that dry, then treated the entire scrap piece with Watco natural oil, and let that dry. Then antiqued the panel with Medium Walnut antique. I'm leaning toward the side with the yellow base, but may try another test panel with watco golden oak then antique before I make up my mind. I want to be sure before I put in all that work then apply that much finish.

42 finish test.jpg (383.03 KiB) Viewed 3078 times

I may get another session in late this evening.

[BrokenolMarine]

Last long session for the evening. I got the side finished and my Maker's Mark done... since it's on that side. There were a couple dings in the edge, but I'll clean those up before applying the dyes and the finish.

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This was a lot of work over the course of the day, but as you can see comparing the two sides, it really brings it to life.

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Here is a closer look, sorta, at the finished tooling. Tomorrow, I'll make the accent cuts on this side, then start on the other side. I WON'T be adding dye/stains until I tool the borders.

[Hatchdog]

I thought it looked great before the shading and accent cuts but man was I wrong. The work you did sure makes the basketweave pop. Can’t wait to see it with the color added. Nice work and my hands are having sympathy pains for yours.

[BrokenolMarine]

Had to run errands this morning. Miss T usually takes that but she has been down with the Flu, (We hope... ) She has had Covid twice... light bouts, but this time she is miserable. Stuffed up, aching, headaches, face swollen. A good incentive for me to work in the shop.

She runs the errands because she hates being cooped up and can get in and out faster than I can get IN the store.
She also can remember what she goes in for. I take a list or I forget things. I'll hopefully work on the project this afternoon... it's calling, I can hear it.

[BrokenolMarine]

Back at it after the boss laid down to hide from the "Flu." I got settled in and started tooling. I managed to knock out a little over a third and stopped. I didn't want to push it and start making mistakes. I am actually looking forward to tooling the border, I love the serpentine pattern, but you have to be VERY careful. Misplace the tool, or one errant strike and the very formal pattern... ... is glaringly wrong. You can start over on a strap or a belt, but on a panel this size?

46 don't push it.jpg (393.07 KiB) Viewed 3059 times

Should be up for another session this afternoon or evening.

[BrokenolMarine]

Long(ish) session this morning. I finished the shader work and did the accent cuts on both sides. The internal tooling is done. I may find a block here or there than needs individual attention later, to clean up it's look, but for the most part, it's done.

47 internal tooling done.jpg (900.15 KiB) Viewed 3041 times

All I can say is THAT was a bunch of work. Below is a bit closer look. The one side looks a bit darker because it's still wet from the tooling. They match when they dry.

48 close up.jpg (913.91 KiB) Viewed 3041 times

I'll take a decent break, eat a sandwich or something, then go back out and start on the border. I've been looking forward to that. Once the panel is all tooled up, I'll start the dye/stain process, and while each phase dries, go back to work on the woodworking / construction phase. There is no light at the end of the tunnel yet, but I don't feel like I'm stalled in the traffic jam any longer.

[BrokenolMarine]

Back out for an afternoon session to tool the borders. The serpentine borders just requires one tool, and it's a slow and steady process. You tool one edge with the tool, placing the design down the edge, then offset by half on the other edge, and end up with the cool border. This is how you begin.

49 beginning serpentine border.jpg (412.73 KiB) Viewed 3038 times

Placement is everything. The back edge of the tool must be square, the width of your tooling window must work, and when you begin the second side, you must center the point on the loop on the other side. I finished the first side and it was looking good, slow and steady paid off.

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I worked slowly thru the second side and thankfully, no errors of note.

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Here is the long view.

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I'll let the panel dry overnight and then begin the staining / finishing process in the morning, and get back to work on the display case itself. The investment in the leather background appears to have been worth the effort.

** I can go in first and flatten the little ticks and tabs where the tool left them to make the "snake" seem to sway within the window... some do, some don't... we'll see. I'm a bit anal, I'll probably take the spoon end of the scribe and do just that. (Tomorrow.)

[BrokenolMarine]

Out for an evening session. Used the Stylus and got rid of the tics, then before dyeing the panel, I added one more thing, a little personal touch to the Serpentine Pattern. I always thought the pattern's corners looked like a snakehead, so I ADD eyes. I like the effect. It is called a Serpent (ine) pattern after all.

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After covering the work table, I dyed the panel yellow for a base. JUST a base, a lot of folks HATE that yellow, but it's JUST the base. Once it's antiqued, then treated with the Natural Watco Oil, it's toned down and gives a rich glow to the project. It should look good behind the knives.

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I have been using the cover from my table saw (Seen in the background, to cover the panel to keep the dust and such off of it overnight while it dries. With the stain on it, I didn't want the cover to touch it. I put four clamps on the edge of the work table, then tented the dust cover using four smaller clamps. Should keep the dust off until morning.

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Adapt and overcome.

[Hatchdog]

Snake eyes, nice touch! That border sure gives your project a nice finished touch. Yeah, that yellow is horrible but as you showed in your test piece horrible turns to wonderful in time.