custom cases, let me know what u think
- Thread starter chazdillon
- Start date
Cue Cases
I would agree an adustable shoulder stap and pad would help.
I do not know why more shoulder staps do not emulate custom lether gun staps.
Your pockets look flat like the leather is fairly light weight.
Ever consider doing a case with Liberian Lynx for the outside ("head-on" and "legs-on" of course)?
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/10/071025-rarest-cat.html
:clapping:
I would agree an adustable shoulder stap and pad would help.
I do not know why more shoulder staps do not emulate custom lether gun staps.
Your pockets look flat like the leather is fairly light weight.
Ever consider doing a case with Liberian Lynx for the outside ("head-on" and "legs-on" of course)?
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/10/071025-rarest-cat.html
:clapping:
Dude, where is Tony Chohan when I need something to calm me down?
All right I know that was raw! Sorry Tony, I know you'd appreciate the humor.Chaz Dillon - the man the myth the legend - I am gonna post a picture here in one hour of how to do the pocket so that it's got a 3/4 zipper like JAZZ wants you to do AND has box pocket clean look.
Unless Jazz objects that by doing so I am just pimping our cases and not intending to help you and other case makers. Nah, I don't care if Jazz objects. If I am a case pimp then I am rolling in style baby.....
Jazzy - I do make cases. But instead of being confined to only what I personally can do each day I have a team of people who work for me who are tasked with creating what I design. I work out the new techniques and bring those to the table. I know that people like you always want to try and belittle my work because of that but it's water off my back because I know what my team and I can do and have done.
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Repeated from the other thread in the WFS section:
The Case Pimp speaks:
Here you go Jazz. One thing you should know, the L-Zipper was my invention on cue cases since 1991. No one to my knowledge had ever done them on cue cases before I did. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong and show us who did it. (Edit: Whitten did and still does zippers that wrap around three sides. So technically they were first with a zipper that went in the direction you like. Mine was still the first to be a real L-Zipper and it was done to stop the pocket from opening all the way and spilling the contents.)
Now, here is another new invention. I thought of this one last year when we started doing more of the Flowers style cases but I didn't actually do it until now. I personally HATE the side zipper on the Justis and Flowers Tribute and the like cases. I find that it's difficult to put anything in or get anything out of the pockets. I do however, along with a lot of other people, LOVE the clean look of the box pockets.
So what to do?
Well since you asked Chaz to make you a pocket with an L zipper and since I know that he wants to do whatever you want I am going to help you both out. Since you will NEVER get this from me for two reasons, one you stated you won't buy from me and two I won't sell to you.
So feel free to give this little tutorial to any case maker that you WANT to do business with and let them use the technique. And this is my invention just so you know who gets the credit.
Ok,
What needs to be done is to split the box pocket into two halves. Then you have an upper part that looks like the lid of a shoe box.
Here are pictures - don't mind the stain it's just water to help shape the sides for the purpose of this tutorial. We also did not cut a v-groove to make the corners sharper but obviously we would on a customer ordered case.
Top View: You can see that the rectangle looks the same as any other box pocket. Notice that the zipper is not visible.
Side View: You can see here that the pocket opens from the upper left corner down to the lower right corner. Notice the rivets in the corners above and below the zipper.
THE TRICK: ( I would never be allowed in the magician's guild)
You want to add TWO layers of leather INSIDE the pocket on each side of the split pocket. Then sew your zipper to that and it will bring the zipper chain INSIDE the width of the pocket and allow it just enough radius to zip around the corner without sticking or damaging the zipper. The sleight of hand I referred to earlier is that since you are moving the zipper into the pocket it allows the top to have the clean structured look that people love and still get the functionality that people want.
You're welcome Jazz.
The Case Pimp speaks:
Here you go Jazz. One thing you should know, the L-Zipper was my invention on cue cases since 1991. No one to my knowledge had ever done them on cue cases before I did. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong and show us who did it. (Edit: Whitten did and still does zippers that wrap around three sides. So technically they were first with a zipper that went in the direction you like. Mine was still the first to be a real L-Zipper and it was done to stop the pocket from opening all the way and spilling the contents.)
Now, here is another new invention. I thought of this one last year when we started doing more of the Flowers style cases but I didn't actually do it until now. I personally HATE the side zipper on the Justis and Flowers Tribute and the like cases. I find that it's difficult to put anything in or get anything out of the pockets. I do however, along with a lot of other people, LOVE the clean look of the box pockets.
So what to do?
Well since you asked Chaz to make you a pocket with an L zipper and since I know that he wants to do whatever you want I am going to help you both out. Since you will NEVER get this from me for two reasons, one you stated you won't buy from me and two I won't sell to you.
So feel free to give this little tutorial to any case maker that you WANT to do business with and let them use the technique. And this is my invention just so you know who gets the credit.
Ok,
What needs to be done is to split the box pocket into two halves. Then you have an upper part that looks like the lid of a shoe box.
Here are pictures - don't mind the stain it's just water to help shape the sides for the purpose of this tutorial. We also did not cut a v-groove to make the corners sharper but obviously we would on a customer ordered case.
Top View: You can see that the rectangle looks the same as any other box pocket. Notice that the zipper is not visible.
Side View: You can see here that the pocket opens from the upper left corner down to the lower right corner. Notice the rivets in the corners above and below the zipper.
THE TRICK: ( I would never be allowed in the magician's guild)
You want to add TWO layers of leather INSIDE the pocket on each side of the split pocket. Then sew your zipper to that and it will bring the zipper chain INSIDE the width of the pocket and allow it just enough radius to zip around the corner without sticking or damaging the zipper. The sleight of hand I referred to earlier is that since you are moving the zipper into the pocket it allows the top to have the clean structured look that people love and still get the functionality that people want.
You're welcome Jazz.
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I don't know - where are they? - post a link and let us all see them, I am sure that they are pretty. I suggest though that you probably should start your own thread with that link.
Now, may I ask if you have anything to contribute to new case maker Chaz Dillion's thread on how HE can better service HIS customers. Or are you trying to advertise for your cases and bust my balls at the same time. You wouldn't be trying to hurt a fellow American would you?
You are the person making these wooden cases that no one can see am I right?
thanks for your pics......it seems like a thread cant go 2 pages without some debate so to clear the air i dont mind if u pimp. and i dont have much web experience so my friend tommy that i grew up playing with is going to help me out. i wanted to get about 10 cases out so i can have pics for a gallery. i may have some questions for u in a couple weeks. im going to try and get the orders that i do have done with asap first because i know people are waiting and its hard to keep replying to everyone back and forth and still get work done. after these i am going to limit myself to 2 cases a week as long as i am handstitching. so to everyone that has a case on the way "phinmole" 
) i am working on it i promise.
jb i heard u started instroke from someone and i didnt know if that was true....
) i am working on it i promise. jb i heard u started instroke from someone and i didnt know if that was true....
thanks for your pics......it seems like a thread cant go 2 pages without some debate so to clear the air i dont mind if u pimp. and i dont have much web experience so my friend tommy that i grew up playing with is going to help me out. i wanted to get about 10 cases out so i can have pics for a gallery. i may have some questions for u in a couple weeks. im going to try and get the orders that i do have done with asap first because i know people are waiting and its hard to keep replying to everyone back and forth and still get work done. after these i am going to limit myself to 2 cases a week as long as i am handstitching. so to everyone that has a case on the way "phinmole"
jb i heard u started instroke from someone and i didnt know if that was true....
It's all good Chaz - you and I know where it's at. As soon as you get a web presence I will pimp you too on my links as someone I would buy a case from.
I did start Instroke, built it up and sold the name in 2003. Took a four year break and am back in the game doing custom stuff.
I don't envy your position or any other case maker who works alone. I can see how much work it is to go from "I am thinking about buying one of your cases" to "here is the money" just on the semi-custom ones that I give every one well defined choices on. A lot of my customers and I go back and forth for weeks and months before we settle on a design.
Anyway, really nice stuff, I like the way your style is coming along. In the words of Randy Jackson on American Idol (yes I watch it) "Dude, listen up, dude look here, dude you took that song and made your own, dog, whuuuuuutttttt!"
P.S. Get in the habit of taking pictures of your work as you finish it. Don't let stuff go out the door unless you have taken plenty of pictures. I have made so many cases in my life that I sold before getting good pix and that body of work is gone forever. And all it takes to start a photo gallery is one picture. Don't think that you need to do a set number of cases. Just put up pix one case at a time and the gallery will grow just fine. Don't forget to use what's available to you right now. AZ has an EXCELLENT photo hosting section actually with unlimited storage (pisses me off that we only get 150 pms but unlimited storage on pix) so USE IT since you are here and you don't need any special webs skills for that.
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Will it be made in the USA?
cool. why did you get back into it if u dont mind me asking?
also yeah i do alot of back and forth between everyone and it does take some time. I also have been taking some pics. i had a horrible camera before then i bought a new one but it didnt come with the cable that went from the docking station to the computer so i went out and got a memory card reader and just used the docking station to recharge it. then when it didnt charge i took out the batteries and saw that they werent the ones that were supposed to come with the camera so im guessing that someone bought it, took the cable and batteries out then returned it and screwed me in the process. big hassle.
also yeah i do alot of back and forth between everyone and it does take some time. I also have been taking some pics. i had a horrible camera before then i bought a new one but it didnt come with the cable that went from the docking station to the computer so i went out and got a memory card reader and just used the docking station to recharge it. then when it didnt charge i took out the batteries and saw that they werent the ones that were supposed to come with the camera so im guessing that someone bought it, took the cable and batteries out then returned it and screwed me in the process. big hassle.
When I started making cases I only made one of a kind cases. And I mean the kind where you start with a blank sheet of paper and create it from scratch.
Those first cases were crude but unlike anything seen before. I was excited and happy with each one that was done.
Then we moved into mass production and somehow I stopped making the one of a kind cases. The production cases were different, more traditional, more professional even. So I focused on those and building the lines. I became more of a designer and marketer than a case maker.
When I sold the name in 2003 I wasn't sure that I would ever make cases again.
When I came here in 2006 I thought about it a little and finally took the plunge in 2007 and bought my first sewing machine for the new workshop. This time around though I vowed to keep the shop busy doing one-of-a-kind cases that really make me feel good when they are done.
The best feeling in the world is when the customer sees their new case for the first time and they express their happiness. I know that I created something that no one else has and which wouldn't exist without my thought and their desire.
I just feel more connected to life when we are making things. That's why I started again...........and I didn't want to throw away 13 years of experience.
Contrary to what some people think I still get in the shop and do things like the pocket I just showed you. Yesterday I spent all day creating a new way to do endcaps for the GTF cases. Today I am building jigs to get perfect lines on the GTF cases.
I started again because I have all these ideas in my head about how to make cue cases and I have to get them out somehow.
Chaz, everything has to start somewhere and along the lines without people willing to help no one and I mean no one would ever prosper. No one person in history who has accomplished great feats did it by themselves. I commend you for letting others help. It shows a good side to you that others may not see. If you love what your doing then you never really have a job to do but a passion to fulfill.
That's very nice the reason I like it alot is it's got and old vintage look to it , you did an awsome job . Rob :thumbup:
Had a nice chat with Chaz on the phone yesterday. I liked what I heard and I have no doubt that if he chooses to stay in the case business that he will be successful. I for one really prefer the Jay Flowers/Justis type of look. I'll bet that many others do too. I really can't afford a Justis case at the moment and these really look vintage and from what I can gather are completely hand sewn and made for stout. I don't care if my case is a bit heavy if the protection factor is there. Tubes work for me. Lastly, I want my case to be made in the USA if possible. I plan to order very soon before he is swamped. I may even ask about being a dealer. BUMP for a nice guy and a new casemaker...Tom
Keep up the good work.
John, would you mind if I sent you a Pimp Hat to wear when your responding to this thread? :thumbup:
basket weave on scrap for example...
i figured with everyone asking how its going id post some pics of what im working on every once in a while....this is just me practicing a new basket weave tool for someone before i do it on the case leather. its on a natural leather and still damp but i wanted to show everyone whats going on...
I also have everyones leather cut for all orders so far and ive been tooling away. I have some scrolling patterns so anyone that ordered a case i will be calling you soon to choose one or call me if you read this....
thanks
chaz
i figured with everyone asking how its going id post some pics of what im working on every once in a while....this is just me practicing a new basket weave tool for someone before i do it on the case leather. its on a natural leather and still damp but i wanted to show everyone whats going on...
I also have everyones leather cut for all orders so far and ive been tooling away. I have some scrolling patterns so anyone that ordered a case i will be calling you soon to choose one or call me if you read this....
thanks
chaz
