Cover A Wood Box

[Bob Loblaw]

Hello all. This is my first post here. I've recently developed an interest in leather working in order to complete an heirloom project I'm working on. I am kind of excited to buy some leather, supplies, and tools so I can start being creative on some other projects as well.

As you can see from the pictures below, this is a gun (suit)case. I'm just now finishing up on the wood. I think it has turned out pretty slick.

I would like to cover the outside of the case in leather. I've never worked with leather before, but I have been reading as much as I can about it. I believe I understand the basic principles, and this website is the best source that I've discovered for leather working knowledge. However, I'm having trouble picturing a couple of specifics about how I should approach this project:

1) I've been to Tandy leather factory and have seen all the wide variety of hides. I'm not quite sure how thick of leather I should be using, and if I should use oil tanned or vegetable tanned. I like both. Vegetable tanned seems like it would work better for me, and I could finish it however I want. I would appreciate a professional opinion on this.

2) I'm planning on 1 piece of leather per side of the case, stitched at all 4 outside corners. If I use a thick leather I'd use a gouge at the other corners to remove a little material and make the leather bend nice. Should I contact cement the leather to the case before I start working, or should I finish three corners of the leather covering before I put in on the wood and stitch the last corner in place? When/how do I glue, and with what kind of glue? I'm a little bit worried about using contact cement due to the lack of working time.

Should I wet the leather (will it shrink and give me a nice tight fit any better than careful measurements/cuts will)?

3) When I butt the leather seams together for stitching, because it's at a 90 degree corner, should the leather be mitered? Or is there an easier way to get a nice looking corner? I could also potentially use a plain seam at the corner.

4. Saddle stitch? Sounds and looks easy enough to me. Because at least one corner will have to be done while the leather is on the case, will I have an issue feeding the needle and thread through at the corner?

5. And last, but not least, due to the way I made the case the leather can't really wrap over the top edge of the inside of the case. It has to stop on the outside of the case without going over the edge. Should I use an upholstery tack strip to get a finished edge, or if I use thick enough leather can I just contact cement it and expect the edge to hold up? I think the abuse will be very minimal.

I would truly appreciate anyone's insight into finishing this project!

Edited April 16, 2012 by Bob Loblaw

[HellfireJack]

If you're not going to tool it I wouldn't bother with veg tanned leather unless you really really feel you need to dye it yourself. If it were me I'd use English bridle leather and I would sew it right on the box. I would miter the edge with a french edger or skive and I would probably use rubber or contact cement once I was sure all of my pieces were sized perfect.

You definitely want to practice on a smaller box before hand. You should buy the art of hand stitching at the very least and maybe the first volume of Al Stolman's Art of Making Cases.

[Bob Loblaw]

If you're not going to tool it I wouldn't bother with veg tanned leather unless you really really feel you need to dye it yourself. If it were me I'd use English bridle leather and I would sew it right on the box. I would miter the edge with a french edger or skive and I would probably use rubber or contact cement once I was sure all of my pieces were sized perfect.

You definitely want to practice on a smaller box before hand. You should buy the art of hand stitching at the very least and maybe the first volume of Al Stolman's Art of Making Cases.

Thanks for the info! Going to Tandy today and I'll look for the books.

[Sluggo001]

Making cases volume three discusses covering wood boxes with leather (suitcases).