Leather Fire Bucket

[tshaulis]

So recently I have been asked to make a fire bucket. For you that do not know, they were leather buckets used back before modern times to carry water to the fire in a line commonly referred to as the bucket brigade. 

So my first question is has anyone tried to make one? I have the general idea on how to make it, I would just like to hear from others who would like to share insite. 

Second question what materials or techniques would I use. Obviously I would need thicker leather. I'm use to using 7-8 oz for holsters and things alike. Would I need to step it up to a 10-12? I also have heard since this will be holding water, that the sewing techniques and sealing will become a big factor. 

I would like some guidance here please.

Thank you

Tyler

[battlemunky]

I haven't made a bucket but I have made a beer mug. For a bucket I'd do things a little differently. I butted the edges together and stitched them. For a bucket, I'd butt the edges together but glue in a strip (either on the inside or the outside) and sew each edge to the strip. Sealing is pretty easy on a bucket since nobody will be drinking from it. You can waterseal it with all sorts of stuff. If you wanted to stay kind of people safe, you can use beeswax or paraffin or a mix of the two. If you want to just get it sealed, you should be able to use just about anything that'll seal up wood.

My $.02. Post pics once you get it rolling.

[Matt S]

I've seen many historical reproductions onboard wooden ships and at museums though I've never made one. They were generally of very heavy leather 5mm+ (12-14oz?) and lined with copious amounts of pitch. They resembled very closely the historical reality of tankards, blackjacks and bombards (rather than the modern "oldey worldey"/Farby versions you see all over the internet that reflect modern leather, hobbyists' tools and techniques, and result in a very nice pretty mug). Some had sewn-in leather bottoms, others wooden secured with tacks. All saddle stitched with linen AFAICT.

Now these, of course, reflected certain locations, environments and time periods -- most likely with good documentations/references but I've not seen those. What would be appropriate to hang on the deck rail of a Georgian ship of the line may not be appropriate in a 1900s hook and ladder station.

What are the buckets for -- decoration, museum display, living history/reenactment?

[tshaulis]

32 minutes ago, battlemunky said:

I haven't made a bucket but I have made a beer mug. For a bucket I'd do things a little differently. I butted the edges together and stitched them. For a bucket, I'd butt the edges together but glue in a strip (either on the inside or the outside) and sew each edge to the strip. Sealing is pretty easy on a bucket since nobody will be drinking from it. You can waterseal it with all sorts of stuff. If you wanted to stay kind of people safe, you can use beeswax or paraffin or a mix of the two. If you want to just get it sealed, you should be able to use just about anything that'll seal up wood.

My $.02. Post pics once you get it rolling.

Thank you. I have seen on mugs to butt them together and cross stitch together. I was wondering if it would be better to skive both ends about an inch or so, glue the surfaces and then do a double stitch or so. I can see your idea of putting a strip over the seam working too. 

[tshaulis]

18 minutes ago, Matt S said:

I've seen many historical reproductions onboard wooden ships and at museums though I've never made one. They were generally of very heavy leather 5mm+ (12-14oz?) and lined with copious amounts of pitch. They resembled very closely the historical reality of tankards, blackjacks and bombards (rather than the modern "oldey worldey"/Farby versions you see all over the internet that reflect modern leather, hobbyists' tools and techniques, and result in a very nice pretty mug). Some had sewn-in leather bottoms, others wooden secured with tacks. All saddle stitched with linen AFAICT.

Now these, of course, reflected certain locations, environments and time periods -- most likely with good documentations/references but I've not seen those. What would be appropriate to hang on the deck rail of a Georgian ship of the line may not be appropriate in a 1900s hook and ladder station.

What are the buckets for -- decoration, museum display, living history/reenactment?

This one is for a family friend's fire department as a one off for a future benefit. Their idea is to use them in a relay race, so they would need to be functional. 

[MikeRock]

https://firebuckets.blogspot.com/2010/07/1736-original-reproduction.html

 

Drop Steve Lalliof a note........he is THE man.

 

Found lots of photos online.  Edges overlapped and what looks like rivets, another one butted and sewn, another with a sharp ninety degree bend on each edge and butted, sewn.  Looks like two 'L's back to back and sewn.  Most have a leather or metal rim sewn on.  Fascinating.