calanneh Report post Posted October 13, 2008 Hey guys and gals! Need a little input. I saw a leather tool box (on here I think) that had a standard stamp block with snaps around the edges and a leather box that attached to the snaps to make a portable stamp tool box. I will be teaching the Leather Merit Badge at a Boy Scout winter camp the week of of Thanksgiving (Friday to Wednesday). I also teach classes at our monthly camp-outs a few times a year so I need a good way to cart my toys...I mean, tools around. I keep outgrowing and/or breaking the normal little tool boxes so I decided to divide them into more than one box and make them myself. I want to start with a box to carry my stamps and hand tools. I am thinking of using one large vegtan hide, cut it out as a single piece and then groove the four folds for nice corners. This will allow me to put little straps on the inside of the box sides to attach my shears, edge bevelers and such. I can then flip the top upside down and inside out to make a little stand up tool rack with these other tools on it. I can put snaps and straps around the bottom corners for support if needed. This design should let me carry all my little toys...I mean, tools in this case and then use a regular tool box (for now) for my bottles of dyes and such. I want it to last and be durable. What weight leather do you think the cover needs to be made of? Please have a look at the attached drawing and let me know what ya think. cal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mendedbowl Report post Posted October 14, 2008 hi Cal, that's a very interesting idea. sounds like you'll end up with a portable shop! i've seen several different styles of handmade leather tool cases on ebay...but nothing like what you're planning. i've seen one that had room for a tiny granite slab for stamping (maybe about 6" x 6") but i'm thinking your box will get heavy quickly as you add your tools and stamps. from your picture it looks like it will have most of the weight in the bottom, but your straps are attached at the top edge of your leather box. i would suggest extending your straps down to the bottom edge and securing them to the plywood to take the stress off of your leather top. or another option might be to make your box like a piece of wheeled luggage, then weight wouldn't be an issue. if you're planning on tooling the leather i wouldn't use sole bends. i'm working with some 13 to 15 oz. saddle skirting now that is very sturdy...and i can tool on it...but it takes a lot of wetting and giving it time to soak in to get it to feel right. the more i think about your idea the more i like it! please take pictures as you construct it and share them here. ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
calanneh Report post Posted October 14, 2008 Thanks for the comments Ken! A portable shop is exactly what I am going for. The snaps are currently on the sides of the plywood and the bottom edge of the leather. Are you suggesting wrapping the leather under the plywood and putting the snaps on the very bottom? That does sound like it would spread the weight and pressure out. I think I will incorporate that. I have also decided to put a mallet on top of the box, under the sholder strap. I will use a few small straps and snaps to hold it in place. I may decorate it in the long run, but with the other projects I have going on right now, I will probably just assemble it between now and when camp starts on Nov 21st. Thanks again!!! Cal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Froghunter Report post Posted October 15, 2008 Cal, There is a pattern in one of the Stohlman Making leather cases books, it's where I got the pattern for mine.... here is a couple pics of what I came up with. I know I had a pic of the inside but darned if I can find it. The block is solid wood with the holes drilled in the top for tools, swivel knives, etc. It's a great project and with a little imagination, I could see some grooves for modeling tools, and even some other stuff, well at least that is my plan for my next one. If you need to know which book it's in let me know and I will look and get back to you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
calanneh Report post Posted October 15, 2008 Hey Frog! I knew I had seen one on here but couldn't find it again!!! Your's looks wonderful! I have books 1 & 3 of the Stohlman cases. I will look thru and see if I can find it. If not, I will hit Tandy tomorrow to get book 2. I am going to add a little more to mine to carry the stamp boxes, the stamp block and the other tools all in one. This will make my 'portable shop' for camp. Do you think the extra weight will be an issue?? What do you think of folding the leather under my plywood bottom and snapping it there? I felt this would keep the stress off the snap areas of the leather sides. My carving skills are not all that great. I have nerve damage in two fingers of my right hand and I can't control the swivel knive all that good, so mine will not be carved to begin with. Or I might add a basic carving after I get all the snaps and straps placed on the inside. Maybe a simple celtic knots border... I would love to see any other pix of yours and any tips or pointers would br greatly appreciated!!! Cal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
calanneh Report post Posted October 15, 2008 Hey Froghunter! Found the case design you used in volumn one, page 58 & 59. Thoguht I would post that incase anybody else is interested in the pattern. cal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
resqman Report post Posted January 23, 2009 Below is a link to a tool carrier based on the Stolman pattern. http://www.leatherbywc.com/ToolCase.jpg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
