Gladstone or doctor's bag?

[Jimbob]

Hello

Does anybody knows where to get "Gladstone" or "doctor's bag" frames?? I can't find nothing and if there is it is way to small....anybody ever made a Gladstone bag frame out of scrap??

Thanks for the info....

James

[Kevin]

Hi James,

I haven't made one but I have given it some thought. Depending on the size you want to make, I think some 1/8"x3/4" steel would be OK, with rivets for pivots. For me, it's the hardware that really sets those old bags apart, the locks themselves are a work of art. I've only seen a couple of new bags and they just had straps like a tool bag.

Make one please, Good luck,

Kevin

[Jimbob]

Hi James,

I haven't made one but I have given it some thought. Depending on the size you want to make, I think some 1/8"x3/4" steel would be OK, with rivets for pivots. For me, it's the hardware that really sets those old bags apart, the locks themselves are a work of art. I've only seen a couple of new bags and they just had straps like a tool bag.

Make one please, Good luck,

Kevin

Kevin...

I think steel frame would be a problem to corrosion, which would eventually stain veg tan leather ( planing to wrap the frame with 2-3 oz veg tan...)

A aluminium frame with slightly thicker dimensions maybe work...?!

I thought of two open u-shaped frames that fit into each other ( plus leather thickness...) then pivoted as you say with rivets or brass stock...when u connect the frame and open it it should be a perfect rectangle of your chosen size...??!!

Just spinning some yarn here but I love to make one...just finished my first fancy leather tote/handbag with chrom and veg tan, some carving...( finally not western style purse...goes to Germany for my Mom's birthday!!!)

I am desperatly trying to find a source for a "real" doctor's bag frame or Gladstone bag...

thanks for the thoughts!!

James

[Construction Leather]

Do a google search for sunbelt fastening products or purse closures.I ordered some frames from them for gatemouth tool bags and i think that sunbelt had a frame for doctors bags.If they dont im sure that they can tell you who does.

[Johanna]

Ohio Travel Bag carries the frames. http://ohiotravelbag.com

tell them you heard of them on leatherworker.net

Johanna

[bethefawn]

Terribly sorry to bump a very old thread, but did anything ever come of this?

I have been making iPhone/iPad cases and passport wallets for awhile now, but it recently came into my head to make a doctor's bag (I'm a pre-med student, surprise), and I've been told by some knowledgeable folks that the side I bought will be perfectly suitable, but I'm wondering if I can do without the frame? Probably not, huh? Anyway, I'm really interested to see if anyone here has undertaken this kind of project, or something fairly similar, that can cast some light.

Another question: for this kind of bag, is it basically an open-top sort of box that is folded carefully to get that Gladstone/doctor's bag shape, or is there more to the pattern than that?

Thanks!

[ramrod]

i have tried (and suceeded) in making my own frame. i got some strap steel (2 pcs. 1/2" x 1/8" x 4') from lowe's or home despot....i can't remember. i tried making the frames a couple of times because the first was a flop. i made one frame approx. 16" long with (2) 3" returns. i glued the leather and steel with contact adhesive and wrapped the steel strap. i bent the strap in the "u" shape after the leather was glued on it. the second half of the frame was made the same way only slightly larger to accomodate folding into each other. the straps were drilled and fastenet using a small socket cap screw and nut. the excess threaded end was ground off so it won't interfere with the bag (when i get around to making it. if i can, i'll post some pictures. i am feeling good about how it turned out.

[TZHunter]

Johanna is correct, Ohio Travel Bag (link above) carries them in 18-inch and also 14-inch...I bought a few of each last year.

FYI the details for each one are below:

18-inch Bag Frame- Catalog P212 Page 047 Item P-2911

14-inch Bag Frame - Calatog P212 Page 047 Item P2910

[spooky]

Johanna is correct, Ohio Travel Bag (link above) carries them in 18-inch and also 14-inch...I bought a few of each last year.

FYI the details for each one are below:

18-inch Bag Frame- Catalog P212 Page 047 Item P-2911

14-inch Bag Frame - Calatog P212 Page 047 Item P2910

can you give an idea of price pls?

[Ferg]

If you have an account, must have a Vendors license or proof of actual business name, Both 14" and 18" frames are $9.95.

ferg

[Northmount]

For buying a few items at a time, small orders, or for no account, go to HardwareElf.com They sell Ohio Travel Bag items in smaller quantities and list the prices so you can order online.

I see Ferg just answered while I was composing this. HardwareElf is $19.29 and $20.49, so cost is $10 higher than wholesale.

For your bag frames, go to http://www.hardwareelf.com/elf/PurseFrames.jsp

Tom

[majaATX]

I found the brass Gladstone style frames P-2867 on Ohio Hardware, and have requested that they become available on Hardware Elf. They are only 16" at this time - but it's a start

[majaATX]

And here is a link to an excellent tutorial that includes how to build various styles of bags, deconstructed from old antique versions http://al-leathercraft.silver.yp.com.hk/member/3389/diy/issue06small.pdf