JamesR

Wish I could have looked over your shoulder while you were making this bag. It really turned out wonderful. You mention that you turned the bag right side out. When would the leather be too thick for this method? Thanks for the step by step photos.

Don, Very well done. You do very neat work. I like the idea of making jigs and fixtures for our craft Woodworkers do it all the time. These devices not only make it easier to get the job done but also give repeatable good results. Right now I am working on a sitiching horse/vise specifically for making cases. I want to be able to clamp the entire side of the case to the gusset before I start stitching. Jim

I cut inside corners with a hole punch or a round end punch. Although it might not work if the hole radius is different then the pattern. I then make my knife cuts to meet the edge of the hole. I also bought corner cutters from Springfield that work very well.

What would be the best tool for trimming gussets flush with the side of a bag. I know they can sanded but I find sanding does not work to well with latigo. I wondering if a sharp french edger would be the best tool? What do you think. Jim

Johnny, Thank you. Those links are a big help. Jim

I want to make a belt for 20 ga shotgun cartridges. Do you have some tips on how to get the loops the right size? Also how do you attach the loops to the belt. Thanks in advance Jim

Thought this might be of interest. http://marcellinony.com/bulletproof-leather-briefcase/

Thanks for the replies. Colt, I was not too clear. I was only referring to round punches. A centering jig for the oblong punches would be good too. I have Weaver oblong punches and what you say is true. I want to make a jig similar to the Weaver jig. I was hoping to save some money on the punches. If the Osborne shanks are different diameters then I will have to reconsider.

Hello, I want to make a centering jig for belt punches. Does anyone know what the diameter of the shank(not the hole) is for the different punches on the market like Osborne, Weaver, etc I want to make a guide hole for the shank of the punch to slide into. This would be a problem if the shank diameters are all different. Thanks

Thanks for the replies. I'll have to check out Barry King and Watt. silverwingit, Good advise about using the shoulder and elbow. I forget that sometimes. Also, I have to try that corner operation. Thanks again. Jim

jonasbo, Thank you for posting that jig. I will be taking a close look at those photos. Please post the next version when it is ready. Thor, Thank you too. I use a Makita horizontal wet grinder for my woodworking tools. I am not sure I would have the clearance to use it on a round knife though. I can see how a jig would maintain the angle but am not sure how you get the convex edge without rocking the blade?

I have been putting off purchasing a round knife. The sharpening issue has me wondering. I am not unfamiliar with sharpening woodworking tools (with jigs!) Round knives do not look to jig-friendly. Stropping the blade does not concern me, its restoring the edge down the road. It seems that even if you could put the blade in a jig to hold it at the proper angle the handle might get in the way. Also the convex profile seems to defy any jig that I can think of. Everything I have seen or read suggests the whole thing is a free hand affair. Any good advice on uniformly restoring the edge of a round knife? Thanks in advance.

Does anyone make curved harness needles? When I stitch gussets on a case sometimes the needles poke or scratch the opposite side while I am stitching. I think a curved needle might help.

I want to buy a high quality round edge edger for 7-8 oz leather. I understand the sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer What sizes and who would you recommend? Also any tips on its use? I am not sure how to control this tool so that the edges are uniform. Thank you

I use Maine thread/cord all the time. I call them so I can purchase larger spools then what you see on the website.

Hello, When you saddle stitch a gusset to the front or back of a case do you expect to trim the gussets flush, or do you painstakingly try to keep the two pieces aligned to avoid trimming? I try to do the latter but it is difficult sometimes. I know I can sand veg tanned leather edges but what is to be done with latigo except trim it? Thanks

When a side of leather is sold as, let's say 8/9 oz. thickness, is this the minimum thickness or maximum thickness you will receive. I recently bought 8/9 oz side of latigo and along the back some of it was almost 11 oz. but the belly portion was more like 8 oz. Is this normal?

Thanks! What kind of dye are you using? Jim

Is it possible to dye latigo edges. Those gray edges are not attractive. I have been burnishing them but I do not like the color. Jim

cseeger, Thanks, I got it now. Jim

Just saw these posts the other day! I really need to search around this site better. Has anyone tried latigo for the straps? I was wondering if the chrome tanned leather would cause problems on bare skin? Also I can't seem to download the tutorial. Has anyone else had this problem? It keeps telling me I am not logged on!

You are very welcome. That bag thumbnail you attached is very interesting. It looks like the top of the bag has a dowel or tube stitched under the leather to reinforce the top. If this were done where it was off center toward the back of the bag it would probably would reduce stress on the turnlock. It would also provide a very solid connection point for the strap. I have seen this done with exposed copper tubing at the top of the bag. Your example seems like a more elegant idea.

The strap dee rings need to be attached to the flap somehow. I like to use a billet that is attached under the flap and comes through oblong holes in the flap. See photo. I have found that the stress on the billet is not perpendicular to the stitch line but more parallel to it this way. Yes the latch is also under stress when the weight of the bag is transferred to the strap and flap. Most of the bags I have made were for carrying heavy loads (text books,tools,instruments) and the latch I have used mostly were DOT common sense connectors. The connectors don't fail but the connection between the bag and the connector can be overly stressed. This is one of the reasons I started using horse collar latches.See photo. I imagine this kind of a latch would not suit your design though. Anyway one way to reduce the stress on the latch is to move the dee rings to the rear of the bag so the force is shifted to the back of the bag and not the front of the flap so much.See photo. I also realize that all of these suggestions can compromise your design and vision for this bag. Your post caught my attention when you used the term "engineering a Top-Strap Bag".I have always approached my work this way. I wish you luck and success.

What will this bag be used for? Do you plan on hauling books and other heavy items? Also how big will it be? You are not overthinking it when you bring up valid concerns.

Thanks to both of you. I will try the water based glue. I can see where careful gluing would reduce edge trimming. Do you think this type of glue would work on latigo too? Jim