Making a laptop case

[anester05]

I have a 17in beast of a laptop that I want to make a case for. I was looking at buying the Al Stohlman "Art of making leather cases Vol 2". Will this be the right Vol or should I get one of the other two. Also do I really need this book, It looks simple enough to me. For the inside of the case I want to make is soft, would sheep's wool work well or will I be fishing wool out of my laptop? Any suggestions. Thanks

I am going to use 8-10 oz cullatta on this, Does that sound about the right thickness?

Adam

[druidity]

I just purchased Vol II with the same intent as you, but my laptop is smaller. I think of the 3 volumes, Vol II is definitely the one you want, though if you use the brief case pattern as i intend to, you will need to make it wider and probably taller. Accordingly, zipper length and everything else would need to be adjusted.

If you score a better pattern, be sure and post it.

Cheers,

Adam

[UKRay]

Adam,

You may find a slim, slip in, neoprene computer case gives more protection than a sheepskin lining - and it won't bung your ports up with fluff! LOL

Ray

I have a 17in beast of a laptop that I want to make a case for. I was looking at buying the Al Stohlman "Art of making leather cases Vol 2". Will this be the right Vol or should I get one of the other two. Also do I really need this book, It looks simple enough to me. For the inside of the case I want to make is soft, would sheep's wool work well or will I be fishing wool out of my laptop? Any suggestions. Thanks

I am going to use 8-10 oz cullatta on this, Does that sound about the right thickness?

Adam

[esantoro]

Adam,

You may find a slim, slip in, neoprene computer case gives more protection than a sheepskin lining - and it won't bung your ports up with fluff! LOL

Ray

I wouldn't use sheepskin, as the fluff will find its way inside the laptop and over time cause too much heat build up. Ray's idea of a neoprene sleeve is good, or you can pad the case with 1/8" or 1/4" neoprene and thin lining.

ed

[kfiretwo]

I wouldn't use sheepskin, as the fluff will find its way inside the laptop and over time cause too much heat build up. Ray's idea of a neoprene sleeve is good, or you can pad the case with 1/8" or 1/4" neoprene and thin lining.

ed

I seen a lap top case that was lined with poly fiber, that you quilt with, u can cut it to any size an farely cheap, it was contact cemented in place than a lining of thin leather cover it. it made a soft inside for protection of the lap top n the firm leather out side protected from most bumbs n scraps plus it was easily to clean, just wipe it out, as for al stohlman case books get all three, each one will help u with ur project they all have different tecnics and patterns just look n make one your own style

[druidity]

I have a 17in beast of a laptop that I want to make a case for. I was looking at buying the Al Stohlman "Art of making leather cases Vol 2". Will this be the right Vol or should I get one of the other two. Also do I really need this book, It looks simple enough to me. For the inside of the case I want to make is soft, would sheep's wool work well or will I be fishing wool out of my laptop? Any suggestions. Thanks

I am going to use 8-10 oz cullatta on this, Does that sound about the right thickness?

Adam

I'll agree with the other commenters in that you should not use sheepskin or even suede on the interior. I plan on using a thick garment hide over strategically placed pad inserts (investigating options still) stitched in. I think it can be done without adding additional stitching.

I'd reiterate though that you'll likely need to adjust the pattern to fit your laptop. Make a mock-up of paper or cardboard when you've finished with the pattern before you cut out the leather... just in case something went awry.

[anester05]

Thanks for the input, Tandy has a sale this month to buy all 3 Stohlman books for $33 which is a decent deal so I got them all. Now its just deciding what style to make this with? Do I want a zipper or just top flap? What style handle do I want to make. So many decisions so little time Right now I'm trying to decide if I want to try and make my own pattern to carve into the front or use one of the Stohlman patterns.

Edited March 10, 2009 by anester05

[wintermte]

Thanks for the input, Tandy has a sale this month to buy all 3 Stohlman books for $33 which is a decent deal so I got them all. Now its just deciding what style to make this with? Do I want a zipper or just top flap? What style handle do I want to make. So many decisions so little time Right now I'm trying to decide if I want to try and make my own pattern to carve into the front or use one of the Stohlman patterns.

I would go with just a flap top. Zippers tend to scratch the finish on the outside of the laptop.

[carr52]

I made a case for my computer. It's the same design as the Indy bag. Works great. Doesn't have a liner in it yet but haven't found what I want to use so for now I just use a towel till I can find the right stuff. I agree about the sheep skin. Too much fluff. Any ways theres a post of it somewhere on this forum. I'll try and insert a link to it but dont count on it working cause when it comes to computers I suck. Well I cant seem to get it right. Bummer. It's in the purse and wallet thread under "Indiana Jones bag, one piece bag". I also put a pattern in here too in the patterns thread.

Tom

[carr52]

Found it. It's not in the patterns thread it's at the end of the indy bag thread. Sorry.

Tom

[seveneves]

Check out some of my bags www.neveshorses.com. I custom make laptop bags for people. Let me know if you're interested I could sell you a pattern

[tomt]

i made a case for a labtop that was 15 inches i took one pice of leather 36 inches long lined it with a pig split and then i put in 3inches for the gusset and then laced up the sided looked really good

[JLSleather]

I used to have Vol 2 around here somewhere. If I remember right, A.S. used 6/7 oz for the main bag. By the time you line it with a 2 1/2 oz, ya got 9/10. Your bag will be - what - 20-21 inches? You might be okay, but I'd want a young guy with me to carry it

That's my take ... 6/7 and line with 2/3 oz veg tan (goat?). Maybe a couple of sewn-in dividers around the laptop, keep it in place.

You could always add wheels, and a harness that would attach to the dog's collar. This - or course - should be discussed with the dog ...

[King's X]

I am working on a 'skeleton' computer case; almost like a leather wrap. I am designing it for a friend of mine who mentors youths in his church. He is teaching them computer technology and he just got a 12.1" Averatec laptop. We talked about a computer bag, but I guess kids are into carrying their stuff by hand (or at least this one is); we eventually decided on a simple skeletal case. I am lining it with suede and making some small storage compartments, business cards, etc. I will eventually share it with my leather guild at a meeting for a project.

Down the road, I can see it get on her or maybe another publishing newsletter. I haven't decided.

LCSJ will get my money for a subscription, but I doubt it will see any of my projects (long story).

I will try to post some pictures here when I get the prototype done and read to deliver.

Good luck.