Just an update and a question. So today I took a few minutes and did some more work on the design and cut a few test pieces etc also swapped the year over to 2017 since of course we're into a new year;) And what I found was it's going to be somewhat more time consuming than I thought, and there are some things that could change that. I'm going to walk through the process of making one below for an example for guys not familiar with it.
So process as it stands is laminate the velcro to the rear of the leather, since I'm a leatherworker I'm using Barge contact adhesive which should form a good long term bond(it's used to install soles on shoes etc). But that means putting adhesive on each side and waiting until it gets tacky then sticking the two together. Then I toss that piece in the laser engraver load up the image, and do the engraving of the image which takes around 5 minutes or so. Then I open up my cut path for the laser and hit go and it takes maybe 30 seconds to cut through the outer circle around the patch. Then I take that patch over to the sewing machine and stitch around the outside edge to attach the velcro to the leather which takes a few minutes.
Now that's the first portion of the process here is where it could deviate. So now I've got a "complete" patch though the edges are a little rough etc, from the cutting and whatnot. If this were a normal project of mine say a holster I'd go ahead and finish the edges by burnishing them, which takes another 5-10 minutes or so. Then oil the leather, wax it and buff the top, then I could clear coat it or leave it wax finished. I'm leaning towards wax finishing since they will show a bit more wear and tear over time and I think will give them a very cool look over time where clear coat may take away some of that feel of the leather. But that said I'm open to either way neither seems easier at this point.
The edging and that part of the finishing is where the question comes in. So my work typically is absolutely trying to build the best holster I can no matter the cost time or money wise. With this I'm trying to figure out if guys are interested in having the best patch or if cost is more of an issue. I don't have a problem leaving the edges somewhat unfinished since at the end of the day it's a patch. But my nature because of what I do is to finish everything to a higher level.
So what do you guys think, I'm leaning towards $12 for the unfinished version or less finished and around $18-20 with the edging and whatnot. Also this could drop over time as I get quicker and better at making them. Since it's a hand process there are always places to improve as I figure out better ways to do things. This would likely be for the first 20-50 and then from there I may have ideas on how to make things faster and easier which may change pricing etc.
So shoot me some input, right now the sample is a finished version which has a few more steps time wise to be complete and ready for pictures but those will come soon as well.
Take care!
Luke
EDIT: Here is the finished version which awesomely I put the wrong velcro on;) Somehow I managed to put loop on this one rather than hook not sure what I was thinking, just grabbed the velcro I had bought to attach to my old helmet and used it rather than the black I had bought for patches;) So this one is a scrap piece at this point, but it still mostly looks the part;)
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