Breifcase Hardware Question / Source

[rmr]

Im getting ready to start my first briefcase as a present for a buddy of mine. I have been doing some research on the style I want to make. I found a brief case that looks to have metal "feet" at the four corners that seem to be lined with some of the same type of leather used on the case- looks to me to be a good idea , practice and sharp looking. I have looked on Ohio Travel bag to see if the metal component is comercailly available- I didn't find one on their web site. has anyone sen this and or know of a source. I have attached a photo showing what Im looking for

Thanks in advance

RMR

[Tugadude]

I too want to know if these are available. Looks like they might be crimped on, but not sure.

[Reegesc]

Those are cool looking. Seems like it would be easy enough to make your own though. Cut a strip from sheet brass, curl it, glue leather to it, crimp it.

[Reegesc]

Like this

Edited March 17, 2015 by cseeger

[Tugadude]

Thanks, going to try it.

[rmr]

Hi Cseeger- nice prototype. On the original picture- the brass appears to have been turned over enough so that there is a smooth junction between the leather and the brass- there is not a stair step from the leather to the brass- may be hard to see from this picture. Its a possibility this was a thicker piece of brass in which a channel was cut into it to accept the leather??

[Reegesc]

Howdy neighbor (just noticed you're in Allen).

Right. My pic accentuates/distorts the thickness of the leather in relation to the brass, plus it's thicker leather than I would use if I were to make a set. But yes, the leather on my prototype does not lay even with the brass. That said, you should be able to use a thin enough layer of leather to where it is indiscernible.

But pondering this a bit more, you could get it to even pretty easily by soldering side strips of brass with a thinner gauge. In my prototype is used 12 ga brass. So adding say 18 or 20 ga would do the trick.

Now that I think about even more, what would be really cool is to also add a middle strip of brass or perhaps bronze or copper. That would really would really make it stand out as a unique treatment. In any case, you're right, haven't seen anything quite like this. Very cool indeed.

So many ideas, so little time....

Oh, one other thing, be sure to use E6000 glue to attach the leather. Works great.

Post a pic of what you come up with.

[Reegesc]

Just thought of something else that is probably easier and maybe even cooler.

Instead of sheet brass for the sides, use brass wire instead. Easier to lay down three pieces of wire than cut, file, and exactly set a small strip. Plus you get an interesting "serrated" visual effect with the wire.

Like I said, so many ideas, so little time...

[Reegesc]

PM me if you're not set up for metal work. I'll make you a set for a nominal charge.

[TinkerTailor]

You could do it with brass tubing instead of flat stock, With a main tube and slightly larger diameter 'sleeves' that slide on the end, solder and then cut a slot and form the whole thing into a U shape. Then glue the leather in the recess formed between the 'sleeves' It appears the ones in the original picture were tubular. I think that it would be easier to get a good crimp on the bag this way as well. On that note, if the leather was glued on last, you could hide a couple holes under it to sneak in a stitch or two to hold the bag foot on more securely than a crimp.

Edited March 21, 2015 by TinkerTailor