Tandy Leather Expedition Briefcase Kit

[billymac814]

It sure looks like you have to unbuckle them to get into it. One could mount quick release buckles behind the straps though. This is done on a lot of saddle bags, it looks nice with the buckles but has the advantage of being quick to get into.

[cjdevito]

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?

The buckles are actually used to open and close it, although it could be altered. As-is, though, the bag is designed with a sam browne stud in addition to the buckles... you could leave the buckles unfastened and just fasten the stud. There's also a full size pocket on the back you could use for things you want to get at quickly without having to go through the hassle of opening the buckles each time you need to access them.

[BobOD]

Thanks. Pardon my ignorance, but what is a Sam Browne stud? Also, is the pocket in the back big enough (and protected enough) for a notebook?

[cjdevito]

Sam Browne stud:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/product/sam-browne-buttons-washers-1309-057.aspx

The round stud goes through a slotted hole in a leather strap, slipping it in and out fastens and unfastens. If you look at the briefcase photo, the small middle strap between the two buckle straps is secured with a sam browne stud.

Not sure offhand as to the actual pocket dimensions, but it's big. It runs the full width of the bag and about 2/3rds of it's height. As to how protected it is, it's an open pocket of mid-weight veg tan (the pocket is the same weight as the bag back).

[Grandpa]

I thought the kit was quite pricey too so I'm embarking upon my first scratch project, that being a shoulder bag and a portfolio to hold a tablet - instead of a briefcase - even though I'm retired<G>. I found two really nice pieces of leather big enough for both projects for $25ea @ my local Tandy, plus plenty left over to make a two piece strap and some other projects. I love oak leaves so I'm using two patterns from Stolhman's Vol 1 design book (by Peter Main) of tracing patterns for oak leaves, flowers, roses & scrolls. One for the portfolio face and the other a larger pattern for the shoulder bag face.

The portfolio will have a large squirrel inside the perimeter pattern (my first wildlife image too) so I've been practicing on wildlife using some really good books on the subject. So far so good! The squirrel came from pics I found searching the Internet. I hesitant to do a basket weave on the backside because my last attempt at basket weave really stunk, but with practice... It will be lined and have a pocket flap for papers to lie under like portfolio's do. I intend to lace its perimeter w/ regular 1/8" or 3/32" contrasting colored lacing material. The portfolio will open 180º to lie flat and I'll thin that using a palm sander instead of grooving it, what was recommended for being a better means for a folding portfolio. I'll thin the perimeter some too so it'll be easier to lace because its thinner and hopefully will make the leaves and squirrel pop out a bit.

The shoulder bags front flap will have another oak leaf surround, but larger, and some wildlife form inside of it, a different squirrel, or an elk, bear or moose - still contemplating. I may make the flap of thinner material than the body of the bag so its flexible and easily lifted, but who knows for sure on that yet. This use a 5/32" contrasting colored latigo on it, probably laced instead of whipped.

Yes, ambitious for sure, especially for me, but I've given it a lot of thought & figure it's time to bite the bullet. I've done enough kits I want to freelance a bit, and I'm getting a lot of encouragement and ideas from my local Tandy guy. I figure when all is said and done my total investment in materials for both the bag and portfolio will be under $100 which is worthwhile IMO.

Just as a point of interest, I have no connection to Tandy. I'm just a Grandpa that really enjoys the hobby, have made all my grand kids several items, purses, belts, wallets, journals etc & now want to try something different before the big dirt nap arrives as I'm for sure not getting any younger.

[WScott]

Make sure you post some pictures of your project for us to see...maybe even some design and work in progress stuff.

It is cool seeing how others attack a project on their own and it sounds great!

[sepharad]

I built a Horizontal Courier bag. The leather was quite good veg tan, not thin or stiff. stitching is wide. The instructions are quite good. What is missing, is a pattern. Tandy does not include one, nor can you buy just a pattern. Also, while it goes together quite well, there are some oddities of design, I believe primarily to use smaller, a more packageable product. The body of the bag is made of 4 short panels instead of 2 longer ones. While I would prefer to build my own from scratch, like many people I am not comfortable with laying out my own pattern.

There is a sad shortage of full sized patterns on the market. I have stolmans volume one and am enjoying it.

Currently I am seeking decent full sized patterns for Central asian, mongol, tatar/turkish quivers.

Sepharad

[FoamerAce]

Hi all. I'm new to leatherworking, and very new to this site. In fact, this is my first (hopefully of many) post. I usually do kits because cutting from whole cow is three times the work with almost no added fun. I just did the expedition briefcase. I customized it with lining and pockets. I think it came out great. Have a look

The leather that came with the kit is the best I've worked with. 3mm and carves like butter. The holes are "big" but that was more of a feature than a bug given the way the gussets are folded and stitched in. I don't think there's any way you could use double needle technique on this.

If there's any interest, I'll tell you more about how I made it, suggestions, and issues with the instructions.

Edited February 22, 2014 by FoamerAce

[VanDutch]

Hey guys.

You can get some patterns cheaply from this Etsy site..

https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/LZpattern

[Ferdinand]

Hi all. I'm new to leatherworking, and very new to this site. In fact, this is my first (hopefully of many) post. I usually do kits because cutting from whole cow is three times the work with almost no added fun. I just did the expedition briefcase. I customized it with lining and pockets. I think it came out great. Have a look

The leather that came with the kit is the best I've worked with. 3mm and carves like butter. The holes are "big" but that was more of a feature than a bug given the way the gussets are folded and stitched in. I don't think there's any way you could use double needle technique on this.

If there's any interest, I'll tell you more about how I made it, suggestions, and issues with the instructions.

Looks great! Nice work.