Another case question

[Matt Agajanian]

Hi all.

Thanks for the 33S/35S case suggestion. Excellent item.

Now I need a 21S case option. I could just buy another Pioneer model that comes with a case. If so, I’d end up with another calc without a case since I’d use the model’s case with my 21S. So, any suggestions for a Pioneer case would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

(12-20-2024 10:15 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  So, any suggestions for a Pioneer case would be appreciated.

A sewing machine is your friend :-) No kidding, some years ago I bought a sturdy sewing machine on eBay for approximately 100 Euros that is strong enough to work with leather. And a bag of leather residues from an upholsterer (they are sold by weight). After making three or four cases, it has paid for itself. They are really simple to sew, only straight seams, even if you add "fancy" stuff like magnetic closures. A nice change from soldering all the time :-)

Regards
Max

[rprosperi]

(12-20-2024 10:15 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  Now I need a 21S case option. I could just buy another Pioneer model that comes with a case. If so, I’d end up with another calc without a case since I’d use the model’s case with my 21S. So, any suggestions for a Pioneer case would be appreciated.

One option is to buy an original 10B, in any condition but with a nice case; often this is cheaper than buying just a Pioneer case; if you are patient and check eBay often, you can probably buy one for $10-15 dollars shipped.

Then use the case for the 21S and use the 10B as a doorstop, or to level a bookcase, or some other useful task around the house. The case justifies the purchase so repurposing the 10B to some non-calculating task is fine.

[Matt Agajanian]

(12-21-2024 02:03 AM)rprosperi Wrote:  

(12-20-2024 10:15 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  Now I need a 21S case option. I could just buy another Pioneer model that comes with a case. If so, I’d end up with another calc without a case since I’d use the model’s case with my 21S. So, any suggestions for a Pioneer case would be appreciated.

One option is to buy an original 10B, in any condition but with a nice case; often this is cheaper than buying just a Pioneer case; if you are patient and check eBay often, you can probably buy one for $10-15 dollars shipped.

Then use the case for the 21S and use the 10B as a doorstop, or to level a bookcase, or some other useful task around the house. The case justifies the purchase so repurposing the 10B to some non-calculating task is fine.

After seeing that the 10B and its variants are at giveaway/garage sale prices, that seems a reasonable plan.

I jumped at a grand offer. I looked the candidates over and I found a 10b II+ with a case for $11. Cool!

[Raymond Del Tondo]

(12-21-2024 02:54 AM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  I looked the candidates over and I found a 10b II+ with a case for $11. Cool!

A 10b II+ is not a Pioneer, but if the slip case fits;-)

[vaklaff]

(12-20-2024 10:38 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  A sewing machine is your friend :-) No kidding, some years ago I bought a sturdy sewing machine on eBay for approximately 100 Euros that is strong enough to work with leather. And a bag of leather residues from an upholsterer (they are sold by weight). After making three or four cases, it has paid for itself. They are really simple to sew, only straight seams, even if you add "fancy" stuff like magnetic closures. A nice change from soldering all the time :-)

Do you swear when sewing? My wife does that profoundly and her mother, otherwise a very refined lady, did as well. Those diabolic machines must steal souls or something...

[nickapos]

(12-20-2024 10:38 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  Hello!

(12-20-2024 10:15 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  So, any suggestions for a Pioneer case would be appreciated.

A sewing machine is your friend :-) No kidding, some years ago I bought a sturdy sewing machine on eBay for approximately 100 Euros that is strong enough to work with leather. And a bag of leather residues from an upholsterer (they are sold by weight). After making three or four cases, it has paid for itself. They are really simple to sew, only straight seams, even if you add "fancy" stuff like magnetic closures. A nice change from soldering all the time :-)

Regards
Max

Hi Max, I have never sewed leather before. I have several sewing machines that I used for clothes alterations and whatever else is needed such as upholstery covers etc. Would it be possible to share photos of one of your cases?

Thank you very much

[nickapos]

(12-21-2024 09:18 AM)vaklaff Wrote:  

(12-20-2024 10:38 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  A sewing machine is your friend :-) No kidding, some years ago I bought a sturdy sewing machine on eBay for approximately 100 Euros that is strong enough to work with leather. And a bag of leather residues from an upholsterer (they are sold by weight). After making three or four cases, it has paid for itself. They are really simple to sew, only straight seams, even if you add "fancy" stuff like magnetic closures. A nice change from soldering all the time :-)

Do you swear when sewing? My wife does that profoundly and her mother, otherwise a very refined lady, did as well. Those diabolic machines must steal souls or something...

It's part of the premium experience

[Pierre]

(12-21-2024 02:03 AM)rprosperi Wrote:  

(12-20-2024 10:15 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  Now I need a 21S case option. I could just buy another Pioneer model that comes with a case. If so, I’d end up with another calc without a case since I’d use the model’s case with my 21S. So, any suggestions for a Pioneer case would be appreciated.

One option is to buy an original 10B, in any condition but with a nice case; often this is cheaper than buying just a Pioneer case; if you are patient and check eBay often, you can probably buy one for $10-15 dollars shipped.

Then use the case for the 21S and use the 10B as a doorstop, or to level a bookcase, or some other useful task around the house. The case justifies the purchase so repurposing the 10B to some non-calculating task is fine.

Bob's idea is excellent ! (normal: I had the same several times...)

but... now I have several HP-10Bs that work (even one with the manual).
I bought them all for less than 10€ while the least Pioneer case was offered (alone) at 30€ minimum.
Now my HP-10Bs are all now without cases and in addition they are useless to me.
Unfortunately I have no rickety bookcase and I have sliding doors... so the HP-10Bs sleep at the back of a closet.

otherwise www.thecalculatorstore.com (Spain) offers a true leather case for Pioneer calculators but at €17.36 + VAT + delivery...

[AnnoyedOne]

If you want genuine HP I'd read this thread.

https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-22282.html

A1

[Matt Agajanian]

(12-21-2024 08:54 AM)Raymond Del Tondo Wrote:  

(12-21-2024 02:54 AM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  I looked the candidates over and I found a 10b II+ with a case for $11. Cool!

A 10b II+ is not a Pioneer, but if the slip case fits;-)

What lineage is the 10b II+?

[Steve Simpkin]

(12-21-2024 09:23 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  

(12-21-2024 08:54 AM)Raymond Del Tondo Wrote:  A 10b II+ is not a Pioneer, but if the slip case fits;-)

What lineage is the 10b II+?

For reference, the Calculator Culture YouTube channel has a great comparison video of the HP-10B, HP-10BII and HP 10bii models:
HP 10BII+ Financial Calculator Review

From the HP-19B wikipedia page, it appears they all use different processors!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP-10B

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

(12-21-2024 09:31 AM)nickapos Wrote:  Hi Max, I have never sewed leather before. I have several sewing machines that I used for clothes alterations and whatever else is needed such as upholstery covers etc. Would it be possible to share photos of one of your cases?

I just now, during the last two hours or so, made a "quick&dirty" one for an HP-67 and documented the process. The prettier ones I will show another time :-)

This is what I started with: Thick blue leather, thinner white/cream leather, a piece of an old neoprene suit for the lining and a magnet for the closure. A zipper would be nice and I already have some experience with sewing zippers, but only in normal fabric. A permanent marker and some glue are also useful.



As my piece of leather was quite small, I had to sew two pieces together in order to wrap it around the calculator. The thick seam should provide some extra protection.



For sewing leather, this kind of presser foot for the sewing machine is required (every thing else I tried did not work). I got this as part of an assortment of sewing machine accessories from Aliexpress for very little money:



Also, the proper tension of the thread is very important for sewing leather. Much more than for fabric. It is different for every type of leather and one needs to do some experiments with scrap pieces in order to get it right. Today I broke a needle for the first time because the blue leather is really quite thick.



After sewing everything together (there are only 4 seams and all of them straight) I turned it inside-out and glued pieces of neoprene to the inside for padding:



Finally come the magnets for the closure (bought from Aliepress or eBay, I don't remember):



And this is the result without any refinements - sturdy and functional but nothing else:





The ones from Prada or Louis Vuitton look nicer!

Regards
Max

[Jase]

(12-21-2024 02:03 AM)rprosperi Wrote:  ...use the 10B as a doorstop, or to level a bookcase, or some other useful task around the house.

Wow! Was the 10B THAT bad?

[nickapos]

(Today 04:19 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  Hello!

(12-21-2024 09:31 AM)nickapos Wrote:  Hi Max, I have never sewed leather before. I have several sewing machines that I used for clothes alterations and whatever else is needed such as upholstery covers etc. Would it be possible to share photos of one of your cases?

I just now, during the last two hours or so, made a "quick&dirty" one for an HP-67 and documented the process. The prettier ones I will show another time :-)

This is what I started with: Thick blue leather, thinner white/cream leather, a piece of an old neoprene suit for the lining and a magnet for the closure. A zipper would be nice and I already have some experience with sewing zippers, but only in normal fabric. A permanent marker and some glue are also useful.



As my piece of leather was quite small, I had to sew two pieces together in order to wrap it around the calculator. The thick seam should provide some extra protection.



For sewing leather, this kind of presser foot for the sewing machine is required (every thing else I tried did not work). I got this as part of an assortment of sewing machine accessories from Aliexpress for very little money:



Also, the proper tension of the thread is very important for sewing leather. Much more than for fabric. It is different for every type of leather and one needs to do some experiments with scrap pieces in order to get it right. Today I broke a needle for the first time because the blue leather is really quite thick.



After sewing everything together (there are only 4 seams and all of them straight) I turned it inside-out and glued pieces of neoprene to the inside for padding:



Finally come the magnets for the closure (bought from Aliepress or eBay, I don't remember):



And this is the result without any refinements - sturdy and functional but nothing else:





The ones from Prada or Louis Vuitton look nicer!

Regards
Max

I see that makes sense. Thank you very much. I usually sew fabric bags inside out and I wondered if you had a way to do this with leather.
I am not sure if I have the special foot for leather. Also do you use a special needle for leather?

[Ren]

Neoprene?
I guess it is the white sheet in the photos.
I usually think of neoprene as a black semi-hard rubbery substance such as used in rain foot wear.
Where do I find the stuff you used?
Thanks in advance!

I don't think I'd attempt to sew leather on a conventional sewing machine.
Heavy duty sewing machines can be found online for around $100USD (so I've heard).
(Heaven forbid if I used SWMBO's* Bernina "Sewing Computer"!) B^)

*She Who Must Be Obeyed

Quick Edit: After looking at the photos again, what you call neoprene appears to be what I'd call Naugahyde.

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello,

(Today 05:29 PM)nickapos Wrote:  Thank you very much. I usually sew fabric bags inside out and I wondered if you had a way to do this with leather.

You can. The original pouches for Voyagers are sewn inside out and then turned around. They are very easy to make. This one here is sewn from the outside.

(Today 05:29 PM)nickapos Wrote:  I am not sure if I have the special foot for leather. Also do you use a special needle for leather?

No, it ts just a sturdy needle ("80" or "90") that you can also use for heavy fabric like jeans.

Regards
Max

[Pierre]

In my youth, not so long ago, I had the opportunity to sew small leather cases.
I used a leather punch. Easy and precise work without much difficulty. (I must still have my punch somewhere in a box in the garage...)
   
You can certainly find some on the web...

Pierre

[Ren]

(Today 06:05 PM)Pierre Wrote:  You can certainly find some on the web...

Pierre

IIRC, I bought mine at Hobby Lobby (US store chain)

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

(Today 05:50 PM)Ren Wrote:  Neoprene?
I guess it is the white sheet in the photos.
I usually think of neoprene as a black semi-hard rubbery substance such as used in rain foot wear.
Where do I find the stuff you used?
Thanks in advance!

The neoprene I used for the inner lining of the case is the gray stuff in the top right corner of my first photograph. This is actually the sleeve of a thin (3mm) diving suit. Neoprene itself is black foam rubber but usually coated with nylon fabric. I bought these pieces of a dive suit on eBay together with some neoprene glue because I tore my swimsuit (which allows me to go swimming in open water as late in the year as November) and needed to fix it.

(Today 05:50 PM)Ren Wrote:  I don't think I'd attempt to sew leather on a conventional sewing machine.
Heavy duty sewing machines can be found online for around $100USD (so I've heard).
(Heaven forbid if I used SWMBO's* Bernina "Sewing Computer"!) B^)

*She Who Must Be Obeyed

You are right, the "sewing computers" are probably not the first choice for sewing heavy stuff. I bought a very simple but robust sewing machine from eBay for 100 Euros (from the 1960-70ies called "Kayser 46" - the company is long gone). It is just capable of sewing heavy fabric and (softish) leather. I would not attempt to fix any of my horse tack with it, though.

(Today 05:50 PM)Ren Wrote:  Quick Edit: After looking at the photos again, what you call neoprene appears to be what I'd call Naugahyde.

What you call Naugahyde is probably the blue leather I used. This is actually real leather, probably leftovers from making sofas or car seats (bought by weigt on eBay).

Regards
Max