MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Accessories How-to instructions for making Leonardo Leather Kindle case

artsci · 03-22-2009, 10:07 PM

This is the first of several installments for the do-it-yourself Kindle 2 users on how to make the Leonardo Kindle case featured in this thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40384

Including the cost of the stock Kindle case, which has to be destroyed to obtain the hinge that holds the Kindle in place in the Leonardo case, as well as the Leonardo address book and other materials, this project will cost about $200. Is it worth it? If you want a case that is one of a kind and can't be bought anywhere, and you want the satisfaction of having made it yourself, definitely!

To whet your appetite for this project, here are a few photos of what the finished product will look like.

First installment: Removing the hinge from the stock Amazon Kindle cover.

We’ll start with removing the hinge from the stock Amazon Kindle case. The hinge is an essential feature of the Leonardo case, since it gives it all the excellent functionality of the stock Kindle case.

1. Lay the stock Amazon case on a flat work space. Using a finger nail feel edges of the of the hinge and mark them with a pen, as shown in the photo.

2. Using a sharp Exacto knife or other utility knife and straight edge, cut along the markings you’ve made. Press firmly on the blade and make repeating strokes until you’ve cut through the fabric and leather strip covering the hinge.

3. Remove the hinge when it has been cut free. The fabric is glued to the top of the hinge with contact cement. Gently pull away a corner and strip the fabric off, being very careful not to bend or break the hinge (it’s made of plastic).

4. Some glue residue will remain on the hinge (the black stuff in the photo). Using OOPs or some other glue remover rub the residue off.

5. Some extra plastic material will be left around the edges of the hinge (the yellow colored material in the photo). Using your Exacto or utility knive, trim this extra material flush with the edges of the hinge all the way around.

6. A photo of the under side of the hinge (note the spring for the hook that retains the Kindle in place) now ready for use in the Leonardo case.

Next installment: Preparing the Leonardo address book for conversion to a Kindle 2 cover.

03-22-2009, 10:07 PM	#1
artsci artsci Posts: 50 Karma: 338 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle and Kindle 2	How-to instructions for making Leonardo Leather Kindle case This is the first of several installments for the do-it-yourself Kindle 2 users on how to make the Leonardo Kindle case featured in this thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40384 Including the cost of the stock Kindle case, which has to be destroyed to obtain the hinge that holds the Kindle in place in the Leonardo case, as well as the Leonardo address book and other materials, this project will cost about $200. Is it worth it? If you want a case that is one of a kind and can't be bought anywhere, and you want the satisfaction of having made it yourself, definitely! To whet your appetite for this project, here are a few photos of what the finished product will look like. First installment: Removing the hinge from the stock Amazon Kindle cover. We’ll start with removing the hinge from the stock Amazon Kindle case. The hinge is an essential feature of the Leonardo case, since it gives it all the excellent functionality of the stock Kindle case. 1. Lay the stock Amazon case on a flat work space. Using a finger nail feel edges of the of the hinge and mark them with a pen, as shown in the photo. 2. Using a sharp Exacto knife or other utility knife and straight edge, cut along the markings you’ve made. Press firmly on the blade and make repeating strokes until you’ve cut through the fabric and leather strip covering the hinge. 3. Remove the hinge when it has been cut free. The fabric is glued to the top of the hinge with contact cement. Gently pull away a corner and strip the fabric off, being very careful not to bend or break the hinge (it’s made of plastic). 4. Some glue residue will remain on the hinge (the black stuff in the photo). Using OOPs or some other glue remover rub the residue off. 5. Some extra plastic material will be left around the edges of the hinge (the yellow colored material in the photo). Using your Exacto or utility knive, trim this extra material flush with the edges of the hinge all the way around. 6. A photo of the under side of the hinge (note the spring for the hook that retains the Kindle in place) now ready for use in the Leonardo case. Next installment: Preparing the Leonardo address book for conversion to a Kindle 2 cover.