Need help with an idea

[Windrider30]

16 minutes ago, BenjaminEstberg said:

You could always get some closed cell foam 1/4" to 1 " and use that as the padding. closed is a lil stronger than open cell but i would think either would work. We make special cases for medical equipment to chain saw bar covers and everything has some padding ( foam) in it.  hope it helps

Yep major help though now I have another question lol

Ok another question also just popped into my head. I know I am going to use 8 to 9 oz leather (still not sure if I will be able to do a double shoulder or if I will have to get half a hide) the question is this, when making my pattern (which I am doing from scratch) how do I take into account the thickness of the leather? 

[480volt]

We use the cheap, blue camping pads from wallmart as a source for medium density foam for LARP weapon construction. Comes about 5/8" thick.

[Stetson912]

Hmm that's a good question. I don't have an answer per say. I would think it depends on the shape and design aspects of the bag. Like for the gussets you have to take into consideration the thickness of the gusset leather for the inside dimension of the compartment. Same with liners and foam padding. That will build up thickness making the inner dimensions smaller than desired. Also, thicker leather doesn't fold or bend as easily so if you have anything like that (again the gussets maybe?) That needs to bend you'll have to add extra length unless you are going to v gouge it or something. I think you'll have to play with it and little bit. Maybe use some cardboard and duct tape to make a mock up for your pattern.a piece of corrugated cardboard is close to the right size of 8 oz leather I believe

[Windrider30]

5 hours ago, Stetson912 said:

Hmm that's a good question. I don't have an answer per say. I would think it depends on the shape and design aspects of the bag. Like for the gussets you have to take into consideration the thickness of the gusset leather for the inside dimension of the compartment. Same with liners and foam padding. That will build up thickness making the inner dimensions smaller than desired. Also, thicker leather doesn't fold or bend as easily so if you have anything like that (again the gussets maybe?) That needs to bend you'll have to add extra length unless you are going to v gouge it or something. I think you'll have to play with it and little bit. Maybe use some cardboard and duct tape to make a mock up for your pattern.a piece of corrugated cardboard is close to the right size of 8 oz leather I believe

Yeah i am aware of the not bending well part of the 8 oz thanks for the corrugated cardboard going to give that a try and see. As for v gouging the flap I really want to avoid that if i can. Now just have to see about the gussets so far I am thinking i am gouing to need 4 to six depending on how I separate the three halves as i do not want any free floating dividers I want everything stitched in place.

[LumpenDoodle2]

You asked if the padding should be glued or free floating.   Personally, I'd glue the padding to at least one of the leather pieces.     I've owned a case where, over many years, the thin foam crept, and moved out of place.

Obviously, the more dense foam would have less chance of that happening.

[Windrider30]

Ok running into another interesting "issue' with this design. So far this is going to be a 6 gusset (3 on each side) case. Now this case is going to have a bit of weight to it so not only will it have a handle (heavlly reinforced) but I want a shoulder strap/cross body strap as well. Now with this being a 6 gusset case I want the weight to be distributed as evenly as possible, but lets face it with a gaming lap top, a ps4 or xbox one (making it wide enough..i think to be able to use one or the toher) and all the cords, plus a few games, wallet, phone, cards and what ever else the person wants to stuff in the third pocket, as well as the two exterinal pockets that I am going to be adding, this is going to hold a fair bit of weight. Case is going to be roughly 8 inches depth wide so my thinking is that just hooking the shoulder strap to just one d-ring will not be enough. So could I actually use 6 d-rings, run straps (with releases on each end of each straps) to lets say an O-ring and then hook the shoulder strap to the two O-rings do you think this would help handle the weight a bit better?

[Grumpymann]

I would think that would be a bit much but done right it would look really cool! Did you think of adding a bigger D or O ring with a LAGER attachment crossing the gusset from the front of the bag to the back distributing the weight and taking it low down towards the bottom.

Or adding a system attaching spanning  FRONT gusset and back with straps that connect to a single ring ABOVE the bag and THEN attaching the strap. Like a triangle?

Also you could have a WIDE bels (Like a weightlifters belt ) that runs under the bag and the so the weight sits in it like a cradle. Then attaching it to the bag?

I was thinking about the bulk it will be pretty big have you thought about adding some buckles and belt straps so you could collapse some of the sections when not in use?

 I know that this is a lot of words I can draw up a sketch if you like. 

 

Edited July 9, 2017 by Grumpymann
Cleanning it all up

[Windrider30]

7 hours ago, Grumpymann said:

I would think that would be a bit much but done right it would look really cool! Did you think of adding a bigger D or O ring with a LAGER attachment crossing the gusset from the front of the bag to the back distributing the weight and taking it low down towards the bottom.

Or adding a system attaching spanning  FRONT gusset and back with straps that connect to a single ring ABOVE the bag and THEN attaching the strap. Like a triangle?

Also you could have a WIDE bels (Like a weightlifters belt ) that runs under the bag and the so the weight sits in it like a cradle. Then attaching it to the bag?

I was thinking about the bulk it will be pretty big have you thought about adding some buckles and belt straps so you could collapse some of the sections when not in use?

 I know that this is a lot of words I can draw up a sketch if you like. 

 

The strapping system I am thinking about would end up in two triangles all three pieces hooked to large O ring then having the shoulder strap hooking to the two O rings. Now running straps underneath the bag is a good idea as well, I am thinking of running the center flap strap from the front under the bottom then bring it up all the way along the back (stitching the whole thing in place) so that its just one long strap with a buckle on one end and the holes on the other. Now I do want to make it so that the shoulder strap can come off, as some people don't like using a shoulder strap that is why I was thinking of hooking the D rings on each of the sides and using  these: https://www.tandyleather.com.au/en/product/round-trigger-snaps-nickel-plated to hook to the D rings, but hmm had not thought of running straps under the back length wise either it would make it a lot more secure..I think I am going to have to get 4 large feet for this bag if I do the strap idea so that it will sit above the strapping. Oh and a sketch would be nice to see if I have the same idea in my head as you are talking about. The more that I think about it the cradle idea would help support the weight (as it will be pretty damn heavy fully loaded with an alienware 17 gaming lap top, ps4 and all the a sorted cables, controllers and what not) instead of just a few small bits of leather attached to the gussets with the d-rings looped in. Thanks for that idea I think I am going to get that a go, Might even add two bottoms to cover the straps, hmm not sure about that idea, might have to see how that looks on my mock up.

Edited July 9, 2017 by Windrider30
added thought

[Grumpymann]

Will get you a sketch tomorrow. But I had to toss this out. Think of making 2 bags and devising a secure system to connect them? I did that with one shoulder bag that I attached my tablet to the outside so I could snap it on and snatch it off easily. I also made a system that I could attach 1 of 3 accessories pouches to the main bag. (LOL I have a snap on system that I can attach my tablet to anything from a hand held board, a stand, elastic band to strap it to my palm. And another where I can change the face of the tablet case from business to party.) 

Just something to think about.

[480volt]

Just my 2c worth of input, sounds like an interesting project from a design and fabrication standpoint.

However, I have a tool bag from Occidental, and when it's fully loaded and slung cross-body it's a bastard to carry for any length of time, partly from sheer weight and partly because the width of the bag puts the center of gravity far from your body. Really kills the back after a while. If you drop the PS2, the laptop and associated stuff in a Trader Joe's bag and sling it over a shoulder for a while, does the weight feel practical to carry? Then again, my tool bag serves primarily to corral up my hand tools in one place, and isn't intended to be carried constantly.