Tandy Leather Expedition Briefcase Kit

[cjdevito]

I'd hoped to snap some photos of the kit for you WScott over the weekend but I've been ill and just haven't found the time. I'll try to describe the gussets for you, though....

First, it's a double gusset. From front to back you have the front of the bag, then the first gusset, then a divider, then another gusset, then the back of the bag, then a full size pocket on the back of the bag. Each gusset is three pieces, two sides and a bottom. The sides pieces actually wrap around the bottom corners of the bag and cover a couple of inches of the bottom on either side. Then the bottom piece of the gusset attaches between them, and probably covers about 75% of the length of the bottom (with the reamining 25% being the wrap around ends of the side pieces).

As for an opinion on the overall kit, I'm not sure yet. Just as an FYI, counting straps and tabs there's over 30 pieces of leather in this box. It's a degree of complication far beyond anything else from Tandy I've seen. I think at this point my biggest reservation about the kit is that lots of slots and rivet holes are already cut, locking the purchaser into using the exact arrangement of straps and tabs and anchors that the kit intends (unless they're willing to cut other pieces of leather to duplicate the pattern parts without the slots etc). Most of that arrangement is fairly sensible, but I've noticed a few things I wouldn't have done on my own that I'll have to live with if I make the kit as-is. Chief amongst them is an alternate fastening point under the handle to turn the briefcase into a backpack; not a feature I'd ever use.

It does include a couple of tooling patterns. A fish (that doesn't appear at first glance to actually fit the dimensions of where it's supposed to go), a geometric design and a flaming skull. Because nothing says you're a professional like a flaming skull on your briefcase, I suppose

[WScott]

I bought an I pad case on sale from a Tandy kit a couple years ago when I first started out. I found that it was not quite what I wanted (a sleeve rather than a book style case) so I just used it as a size template. I rob that kit every so often for leather scrap and such; it served well as a start point for me.

Found the same thing with big holes and everything pre-punched so design wise you are fixed.

We have to remember that they make kits for all skill levels and with minimal tool requirements. We want more people interested in leather work so Tandy's catering to beginners is not a bad thing.

Love to see what you come up with from this kit...Remember flames make everything go faster and look cooler!

Cheers, Scott

[billymac814]

I vote no flames:-).

Its definitely a good choice for someone who is just getting into leatherwork. a bag that has 30 pieces would be a bit overwhelming for someone new. The large holes make it easy for a kid to sew together, my 9 yr old is able to do it fairly easy. I just personally hate seeing assembled kits posted for sale on either Etsy or eBay and marked as "Custom" items.

They should sell just the patterns for these items, that would seem to be a more viable options for either intermediate leatherworkers or for someone who is trying to keep the costs down by eliminating all the design time that goes into a custom item. I'd probably be interested in a few in that case, it would allow a base pattern and allow for alterations to be easily made.

[cjdevito]

They should sell just the patterns for these items, that would seem to be a more viable options for either intermediate leatherworkers or for someone who is trying to keep the costs down by eliminating all the design time that goes into a custom item. I'd probably be interested in a few in that case, it would allow a base pattern and allow for alterations to be easily made.

I agree with you. If someone out there wanted to try to put together patterns or even more advanced kits (say, unpunched base leather pieces cut to the pattern & instructions) I'd likely be first in line to buy them.

Unfortunately for me there's no tandy closer than several hours away, and no local leatherwork resources I've been able to find in my area. So for me the learning process is just read then try to do and learn from experience as I go. So anything that provides a sort of 'guided learning' experience is worthwhile in my book.

Edited January 28, 2013 by cjdevito

[stelmackr]

Here is a inexpensive pattern I found on the Internet via a Google Search:

http://www.bighousedaddy.com/attache_case.htm

Hope this helps.

Bob Stelmack

www.pslac.org

[cjdevito]

I have that one, actually. As well as his 'Small Patterns Pack'. His instructions file in both cases is actually a very good walk through and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either.

I just wish there was more out there.

[Hooper26]

I'd hoped to snap some photos of the kit for you WScott over the weekend but I've been ill and just haven't found the time. I'll try to describe the gussets for you, though....

First, it's a double gusset. From front to back you have the front of the bag, then the first gusset, then a divider, then another gusset, then the back of the bag, then a full size pocket on the back of the bag. Each gusset is three pieces, two sides and a bottom. The sides pieces actually wrap around the bottom corners of the bag and cover a couple of inches of the bottom on either side. Then the bottom piece of the gusset attaches between them, and probably covers about 75% of the length of the bottom (with the reamining 25% being the wrap around ends of the side pieces).

As for an opinion on the overall kit, I'm not sure yet. Just as an FYI, counting straps and tabs there's over 30 pieces of leather in this box. It's a degree of complication far beyond anything else from Tandy I've seen. I think at this point my biggest reservation about the kit is that lots of slots and rivet holes are already cut, locking the purchaser into using the exact arrangement of straps and tabs and anchors that the kit intends (unless they're willing to cut other pieces of leather to duplicate the pattern parts without the slots etc). Most of that arrangement is fairly sensible, but I've noticed a few things I wouldn't have done on my own that I'll have to live with if I make the kit as-is. Chief amongst them is an alternate fastening point under the handle to turn the briefcase into a backpack; not a feature I'd ever use.

It does include a couple of tooling patterns. A fish (that doesn't appear at first glance to actually fit the dimensions of where it's supposed to go), a geometric design and a flaming skull. Because nothing says you're a professional like a flaming skull on your briefcase, I suppose

What's the quality of the leather like?

Here is a inexpensive pattern I found on the Internet via a Google Search:

http://www.bighoused...ttache_case.htm

Hope this helps.

Bob Stelmack

www.pslac.org

Thanks for the link. That bag looks really cool.

[WScott]

Thanks for that link !

[billymac814]

That's a nice looking pattern. I booked marked it in case I ever need it. Maybe there are more people selling patterns than I thought there were, ill have to look a bit more.

[BobOD]

I have a more basic question about this kit. Are the buckles shown on the front of the case actually used to open and close it or is there a different opening/closing mechanism hidden behind them? In other words, do you have to unbuckle two straps every time you want to get into it? I like the look of the case, but I would think that would get tedious quickly....

Bob

P.S. If anyone does have any more photos of this I'd be interested in seeing them. Thanks in advance.