Originally, this project started off as a generic version of this type of precision screwdriver.....
END CAPModified end cap. Delrin insert, drilled out for four accessories and center retaining pin.....
Here you can see the retaining pin. Stainless steel and delrin.....
Mini needle threader. Stainless rod and wire.....
Two piece embroidery hook. Accounts for two spots in the end cap. If ever you should use any type of hand stitcher, one of these will be your best friend. You will find that once you build up a rhythm, you can stitch nearly twice as fast than if you didn't use one.....
Fourth spot reserved for storage of stitching needle.....
Retaining pin installed. Keeps accessories from shifting around within the tool and safe from contacting the rotating internal bobbin.....
THE STITCHING HEADHead shortened, angle of bevel changed, drilled and tapped for threads.....
Modified head installed from x-acto type knife. Shortened, collet drilled out to accept needles.....
Here you can see the feed slot for the thread as well as the tension ring that I created. Initially I has one small single hole to feed the thread, however because of the nature of the bobbins being so long and slender as opposed to being short and stubby like many of the much larger stitchers, it kept binding like crazy. By elongating the hole into a slot that equals the length of the bobbin, it now feeds freely from top to bottom without binding as the thread unravels. It also made initial threading into the tube all that much easier. I hope that all made some sort of sense. The tension ring keeps tension on the string to prevent slack and facilitate nice tight stitches.....
Stitching needle installed and threaded. Ready for use.....
Here you can see how it all comes together. The face of the retaining pin butts up against the top face of the bobbin, keeping it aligned and running smoothly. Without this, the bobbin wanted to travel longitudinally every couple of stitches and would tend to bind.....
BOBBINSBobbins made from stainless steel rod with delrin end caps. Since the diameter of the inner core is so small, they are able to fit a decent amount of thread for their size. The multi-bobbins allow me to carry various other colors and strengths of thread I may commonly use in a way that makes switching colors a quick and easy process.....
This single bobbin is the one that I keep loaded into the stitcher the majority of the time. It can hold over 25 feet of heavy duty upholstery thread. Standard string, about 50 feet. Less than half full in this photo due to use.....
The dual bobbin allows for about 13 feet of upholstery thread or 25 feet of standard thread per color. The triple bobbin holds about 17 feet per color of standard thread, 8 of the upholstery thread. I typically never load upholstery thread on this particular bobbin.....
Stainless steel storage tube for extra bobbins.....
Here's the stainless steel thimble cap that I made for the storage tube for the times that I sew by hand and need a little extra push to go through thick materials. Traditional thimbles with numerous tiny holes don't serve me well, so, I went with one single large hole to securely contain the end of even the large upholstery needles.....
To complete my expansion kit, at the bottom is my needle storage tube.....
Expansion kit expanded. The bobbin storage holds whichever two bobbins that are not in use. The needle storage holds two extra heavy duty stitcher needles, two large upholstery needles and three medium self threading needles should I want/need to sew by hand.....
STORAGEHardshell case formed out of ABS plastic. Internal divider. Wrapped in black microfiber.....
Bottom view. End cap tucked in over microfiber.....
Top view. Here you can see the internal divider.....
One compartment is for the stitcher, the other is for the expansion kit.....
The stitcher itself is always in my EDC bag and is typically more than adequate. If I ever go out of town, I will bring the rest of the kit. Here's some size comparisons.....
Mini Pen Stitcher compared to sharpie pen.....
Complete kit compared to sharpie pen.....
SAMPLESI've had the chance to use this quite a few times over the past year or so. It has gone through six layers of tarp with no problem, multiple layers of ballistic nylon for cases I've modified, layers of nylon webbing for straps and various other small projects. If I get around to taking photos of some of the other things I've used it for, I will add them to this post.....
Phone pouch for backup phone. Made from my old Levi's jeans. Sewn inside out, then flipped.....
Another pouch that I made for one of my other tools. Ballistic nylon. Also sewn inside out then flipped. Trim added.....
Close-up of stitching job on trim. If you space your stitches right and tension them equally, it comes very close to looking like a sewing machine job.....
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