Tandy Leather Expedition Briefcase Kit

[Hooper26]

Has anyone put this kit together? If so, did you like it?

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/special/44427-00.aspx

The kit is typically listed for $259.00, but I see that Tandy has it on sale for $159.00. If it is still on sale next week when I get paid I will order it. That is unless I get feedback that it is not a good kit.

[WScott]

Could you just get the pattern and buy your own leather?.......you would get better quality leather that way

Just saying as the kit leather I have seen has been thin and low quality

JMHO

Edited January 23, 2013 by WScott

[Hooper26]

Are there any pattern books out there you would recommend for someone who is looking for their first leather bag project?

[WScott]

Sorry, no I've made my own patterns so far. It is a good looking style of bag though.

So maybe the kit would be a good starting point for you if you go in with the mind set of getting it for the patterns, practicing on the Tandy leather and upgrading to nicer leather on bag #2.

I hope I am wrong and they send great stuff with the kit....just saying to go in with eyes open.

Go for it and keep us posted!

Edited January 23, 2013 by WScott

[bluesman1951]

No I would not do this . Making your own pattern is very rewarding .Easy as well. A good hide can be had for about 120.00 leaving plenty of money for buckles and stuff . In fact if you call "The Hide House in California you can get English bridle leather for 120 a hide from wicket and craig 8/9 oz ask for Jen . Its a saddle colour so no expense is needed for dyes . In general Tandy kits suck . Pattern making is easy if you send me a Pm Ill help with that . I would rather have a side of that english bridle leather for my money than that kit ,and change to spend too. Do as you please ,love to hear how this story turns out . If you call the Hide House ask for Jen ,say Bill from Albuquerque said to call. You will have plenty of hide left to make other things for profit after making your bag . Bill

[billymac814]

That's a pricey kit.... I've recently did a few kits with my son trying to find something he can do on his own and haven't been happy with any of them, mainly due to the gigantic holes for stitching. I never did any prior to that as I've always made my own patterns. I would hope for a kit that much money that it would be of higher quality than a change purse kit. I would definitely check it out in person before dropping that kind of wad, even with the sale price.

You could always buy the kit and do that as practice and save the pattern for the next one. I haven't yet seen a pattern from Tandy that I'd want to keep however I will give them credit as it seems they are trying to go with some higher quality stuff lately and that brief case looks like a nice design in the pictures.

If you plan on just making one briefcase and not much more the kit would probably be a good choice, by the time you spend money and time on leather, then source all of the thread, hardware, and whatever else you may need, then spend time designing it you'll have more money than in the kit and a lot more time. If you plan on continuing to make them or at least similar items in case you end up with a bunch of hardware and leather I would make it yourself.

And you can deal directly with Wickett and Craig too, I buy all my leather from them. I usually get 3-5 sides at a time but they'll sell just one.

Good luck and shoe is whichever way you go.

[WScott]

If he is starting out, a kit may be less overwhelming than ordering by mail and sourcing all the stuff out.

Maybe a smaller handbag or something that is a little less pricey?

Not sure of your experience level or if you have your heart set on this style bag

Don't get overanalysis paralysis. Tandy gets a bad rap, but they are a good starting point

Edited January 23, 2013 by WScott

[Chief31794]

That is awful pricey even at the $159.00. Agree with Billymac about the holes, makes an otherwise nice project look a little tacky compared to normal hand stitching. You are paying for the cutting and pattern, there is less than $60.00 worth of leather (and that is the price for Hermann Oak), say another $25.00 worth of findings (hardware and such), the remainder of that is profit for Tandy (nothing wrong with that, businesses are allowed to make a profit) and that is money you could save by buying the leather, cutting your own straps, and buying your own hardware. You'll have better leather and the sewing will look much, much, better. The only element is the pattern. If you like this pattern, then it might be worth buying it and using the pieces to make a pattern for future use, then building the kit for experience. It will still make a nice piece, just can be done better for less money. One more caution, the leather may be very nice in the particular kit you buy, but it is a gamble, regardless it will still provide a good pattern. Last thing, then I'll shut up (yeah what's the chance of that), This is a pretty basic design, you can probably get the size measurements from the Tandy site, they normally provide them. Then layout on poster board, a front piece, back piece that is taller to an amount that you need to fold over and close, and a two piece gusset at the proper width, cut out the pieces, line them with suede or pigskin, sew them together and you have a custom case that you designed. Al Stohlman's three volume set on making cases is a good source of reference material on how to make cases.

Chief

[Wishful]

I agree that it is pricey, even on sale. The best place to get patterns for a case like that is Al Stohlmans "the art of making cases vol 2 & 3" you can get them at Tandy or online at the leathercraft library. The books are great and have similar type cases.

[billymac814]

I looked at the picture again today a little better than I did last night, the holes do spear to be the really large holes that they do on the smaller kits. These are about the same size holes I use to lace items together.

I do agree with what someone else said though that it depends on the OPs skill level, if you're very new you may have a better outcome with the kit despite the large holes and usually inferior leather.