My EDC Toolbox PouchI was looking for a pouch to carry two Leathermans with all accessories, a knife, pen and a flashlight. I wanted one that I can remove from my belt to put down in front of me or next to me when I am working on something that requires several accessories.
I could not find what I want in any shop or online.
I made one today and it took me about six hours to make.
I will never, ever make one for anybody else as it involved too much work, however the pleasure to own something that no-one else has is good. I only took some photographs of how I did it with a very brief explanation. You have to work the rest out for yourself. I am not an authority on sewing or any of the methods, but what I have done worked and the durability (not workmanship at all!!) is superior because I used superglue on the edges’s sewing and I doubled sew where there are stress points. If you count in the decorative edging the sewing is three times.
The whole pouch was made by using a flat bed sewing machine. Quite a percentage of the sewing was done by cranking the wheel by hand because of the thickness of the material.
First I needed a belt clip (metal of choice) because I need to remove the pouch from my belt. At work I am wearing a 55 mm wide belt as I am a police officer by occupation, and if you feel the setup (two multitools) is too heavy, it is still lighter than my side arm that I don’t carry any more on duty, unless I doing crime prevention duties.
Here is three clips. The top two are salvaged from old holsters and pouches. The bottom one is a brand new one. I chose the centre one because of the width of my belt. If I use any of the shorter ones it can slide of when you sit in a car. The centre type hooks on below the belt. Depending on what type you choose, you have to make the fastening to the pouch according to the clip design.
The pouch is made of glass fibre reinforced PVC and 600 Cordura. 400 X 90 mm sizes each:
You can change the dimensions according to your own needs.
The pieces are glued together with contact adhesive:
Here is my sewing machine:
I keep a few full bobbins ready. Below right you can see that the motor is stepped down to make it a bit slower and more controllable.
Next I bought a length of 80 mm wide elastic band. Buy the best and thickest you can get. Cheap types will lose its stretch soon. Mark 6 pieces of 62 mm each so that they can stretch side ways. The height will of course be 80 mm:
Cut them at the white marks.
Take a narrow and thin webbing of 50 mm long (X2) and melt the edges with a flame:
Fold double and stitch it on a piece of elastic each:
Here I did the same as the Leatherman and LED Lenser pouches.
The two pieces with the grabbing handle attached:
Here I have sewed three pieces of elastic together, times two:
I have stitched both sides 5 mm from the sides and reversed started and reverse ended both sides on both sets.
First I copy the original clip’s back piece from leather, backed with the reinforced pvc:
The left hand side is the bottom and the right hand side is the top of the finished holster’s back side. The top of the back piece must be 150 mm from the top and it must be sewed three times – on the cordura side. Use superglue on the corners of the stitching.
Now I have cut two lengths of elastic of 140 mm long:
I have marked them 35 mm and then 5 mm from each side.
Now I folded both sides onto the inner line bit stitched it along the 35 mm line:
I then flipped it upside down and stitched it onto the 400 X 90 mm piece, on the inner side, also 150 mm from the top. Stitch over the visible sewing and reverse stitch on both sides for strength, on top and bottom. Use superglue o strengthen stitching ends – this will prevent tearing or sewing getting loose. This is the first inside pouch for example the bit sheaths and two pens or something similar.
Now You mark it 50 mm, 40 mm, 40 mm & 20 mm from the sewed-on elastic’s edge and cut off.
Glue on a 40 mm wide strip of hook on the cordura (outside) side and stitch around.
Take another piece of 90 mm elastic:
The centre piece of webbing is 38 mm with hook on and on the right is also elastic that stretches in this photograph from top to bottom. The webbing is properly stitched on and then cut off along the white line, 10 mm from the bottom.
Be very careful now. Not negotiatable:
This piece of elastic is sewed on below the 50 mm line but covered with a strip of edging material for cosmetic appearance. The stitching nearest to the hook parts must still be below the 50 mm line.
This will show what I meant:
It is now bent over and still clears the 50 mm line.
Next the clip belt:
This webbing is 10 or 12 mm wide (may be different depending on size of clip). This may even be left out. Or the hook and loop, depending on you preferences. It is then stitched and covered by a piece of edging for cosmetic purposes.
Now the next inner sleeve will be done:
The work is turned over and the next piece of elastic is placed on the 50 mm line and stitched on both sides, exactly as the previous one. The previous two parts are folded away so that you do not stitch them where you don’t want to.
The other side:
.
The work piece is now getting complicated.
Now the two pieces of elastic stacks should be fetched:
Just to show how the elastic pen sleeves should be folded:
The photograph is blurry. Compare the top to the bottom.
Another view:
Glue on and stitch two times, superglue.
Remember to reverse stitch each end at least 25 mm and stitch two times. This is really load bearing stitching. Don’t worry about appearance now. The left hand side is finished and the right hand side is hold with a pin prior to gluing.
Here you have a better view:
The stitching is upon the previous stitching of the stack, 5 mm from the edge. Evenly and thorough. Note: the handle strip must be on the outside.
A better 3D view (blurry):
Here you can see the reason behind the inner sleeve’s construction. If I let it continue together with the stack, it would have been too thick for my sewing machine. I believe it also is less stress on the sides.
The stitching must go through everything:
Both sides:
This is the bottom part that gives you an idea where I am getting to. I am fitting four pen sleeves: for pens, long sharpener sticks, and a ”pen size: holder of oil, or a bundle of cable ties, a spare battery for the flashlight, etc.
Another view:
Yes, you are right. I made a small mistake. The handle is on the inside on the left, but now I will use as a default the outer side first so that I will need the handle only if I need the second sleeve. I am currently using only one sleeve per side, but rather have it when you don’t need it as don’t have when you need it. The Leatherman and Led Lenzer pouches only have two layers of elastic in the side stacks but I have decided to add a third.
Now it is the time to add edging to as near as possible to the other sides inner sleeve:
The left hand side is enough to reach the end not shown in the photograph, but the right hand side is longer to go right around and to overlap by at least 25 mm. Rather make it longer and cut away what you don’t need.
The view:
Now attach the elastic stacks to the opposite sides:
It missed the backing piece for the clip:
Even the inner sleeve stitching misses it.
Now stitches on the female side of the clip:
On the outside and approximately as shown.
Add decorative edging:
The appearance is much neater.
Now add 90 mm high loop to the inside:
Glue and cut the edges round.
Stitch:
Top and bottom. Superglue side ends of stitching.
Why:
Now you can continue the stitching without having to stich inside the curves. Do the short edging first and overlap the second one.
Finished:
The stitching is finished and the male clip is added.
Almost finished:
Just the clip must be added.
Added:
My EDC:
Leatherman Surge and Supertool 300 and Wenger knife. Plastic and telescopic pens. P5 Led Lenser flashlight. Bit kit. DIY drill. Surge saw blades. Leatherman Universal adapter.
No not too much items yet!!!!!
The bit kits:
Saw blade with tow steel blades extra:
Saw blades and DIY Drill bit (with cover as it is super sharp):
Pens:
Knife and Flashlight:
Adapter:
Two Leathermans:
There is a piece of plastic to prevent them from rubbing against each other.
Closed:
The clip will prevent accidental opening by rubbing against something. It can be adjusted.
In my hand:
Not too big. A little bit wide.
EDC:
Next to my cell phones:
Double pouch:
One mobile is mine and the other one is my work mobile. Behind the black one is a sleeve like the Leatherman pouch and also on the sides. (Not used currently). This pouch led to the design of this pouch to carry two leathermans in one pouch. Months and months of browsing and visiting shops led nowhere. I decided to make my own and this is the result.
Con:
Take too long to make.
Appearance can be better.
I forgot to make the inside with a hook and loop divider like the camera bags.
Pros:
Super strong and super strong stitching.
Metal belt clip.
Clip secure against loss.
Everything in one pouch.
Pouch can be removed from belt as stated without having to loosen belt. Helps when I carry a firearm at work.
Enough inside sleeves.
