A first for me - briefcase

[Ian]

A couple of weeks back there was a post from a gentleman looking for someone to duplicate a legal briefcase he had. Here's the finished case I did for him. I'm not a case maker, but thought it would be a good challenge.

PS The I didn't notice the white mark on the front pocket until I'd taken the picture - it wiped off.

The first picture is the original he posted post: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...pic=5606&hl=

[King's X]

I can't tell the difference. Looks like a reborn attache case. Seems to be of the same DNA. Great job!

Truly another master found on this group site...

Greetings from Austin, TX

[wildrose]

Great job! Bet he's pleased, it looks so much nicer.

[ArtS]

Really looks good!!! Amazing to think this is your first one. I'm watching! I want to make one someday for myself.

Art

[calanneh]

Fantastic!!!!!

You did a great job!!!!

William

[MADMAX22]

Great job for your first try. Looks really good.

I would love to give it a shot but not until I get a sewing machine that can handle leather someday. Until then I think Ill hold off a bit.

[Spider]

You get a big A$$ WOW!!!

[Grunt]

WOW!! That's some pretty outstanding work!

[Ian]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. Actually, it was one of the easier projects I've tackled - there are relatively few pieces in a bag like that. The biggest trick was keeping the pieces lined up while I sewed them together. Anyone who has medium skill shouldn't be scared to tackle a briefcase like this. My biggest fear was screwing up since I only bought a double shoulder and it took most of that to do it, so there was no room for error.

[esantoro]

Nice work, Ian.

Did you have any difficulty stitching the bottom corners where the two gussets and center panel meet? With thicker leather, I usually have to hand stitch the 25 or so stitches around that corner. I have yet to try a case that uses one wider gusset for the entire bag, and where that particular corner stitching wouldn't be necessary.

Ed

[Ian]

Nice work, Ian.

Did you have any difficulty stitching the bottom corners where the two gussets and center panel meet? With thicker leather, I usually have to hand stitch the 25 or so stitches around that corner. I have yet to try a case that uses one wider gusset for the entire bag, and where that particular corner stitching wouldn't be necessary.

Ed

Ed, it was a bit tricky for me. I don't know how you do it, but I cemented the pieces together and clamped them for a few hours before sewing, then it wasn't too difficult to sew the corners.

By the way, your bags are awesome! What weight of leather are you using?

[esantoro]

Ed, it was a bit tricky for me. I don't know how you do it, but I cemented the pieces together and clamped them for a few hours before sewing, then it wasn't too difficult to sew the corners.

By the way, your bags are awesome! What weight of leather are you using?

I also glue and clamp the edges, but I usually never wait more than 45 minutes. Waiting longer, if possible would be a good idea. Another thing I do, if I remember to do it, is to dampen the 4" difficult area on both gussets, fold it back about an inch, clamp it and let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour.

What I have found that works best, but not the quickest, is to mark of the stitches needed around that corner, punch them with the machine, glue everything together, stitch up to that point, and do those 15 or so stitches by hand and double back to reinforce that corner.

I usually use 5/6 oz. I currently have on order bridle leather of different thicknesses: 9/10 oz for straps, 6 oz. for front and back panels, and flap, and 4.5 oz for gussets, back pocket, and middle panel.

Do you use a a holster plate, or other specialty plate at all? I use the holster plate when I can, but doing so usually precludes me from using the material guide which I like to use.

Ed

[Ian]

Ed, I don't have any special plates. My machine is an old factory Aerostitch that operates on compressed air rather than a motor. I believe they made a stirrup plate for it, but havent gotten around to getting one. Don't know what I'd do without the material guide though.

Pretty cool that W&C will split sides to your specs. Your bags will really look nice in bridle leather (not that they aren't beautiful the way they are)

[esantoro]

Ed, I don't have any special plates. My machine is an old factory Aerostitch that operates on compressed air rather than a motor. I believe they made a stirrup plate for it, but havent gotten around to getting one. Don't know what I'd do without the material guide though.

Pretty cool that W&C will split sides to your specs. Your bags will really look nice in bridle leather (not that they aren't beautiful the way they are)

Your Aerostitch must stitch very close to the edge of the needle plate. My 441 stitches about 7mm from the edge with a slotted, feeddogless needleplate, though I could modify the plate by grinding it down. As you know, every millimeter matters. Damn, just what I need, another project.

Ed