Restoring And Customising A Briefcase

[my63]

I have spent some time on the edges today and I am almost happy with them I freely admit I am a bit of a perfectionist and the case is at least 50 years old so the odd bit of cracking around the edges is to be expected

The first picture shows the mounting point for the shoulder strap I had thought I would be able to sew the tab in place as well as gluing and bolting it in place this was not possible.
I took the bag to my supplier and their master saddler checked the mounting points for me he was happy with them.

 

IMG_9568 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9571 by my0771, on Flickr

 

These are my final pictures of this project I will be boxing it up today ready for the courier to collect

Thanks to everyone for the support.

 

Michael

[my63]

As one project is on its way to a new home a new project takes its place I have been wanting to restore this bag since it arrived. unfortunately the leather was too far gone to allow for restoration.

However with a little trigger logic the restoration will proceed for those not already aware of "Only fools and horses" tv show here is a sample of Trigger logic.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUl6PooveJE

 

I had assumed that the colour of this bag had been changed from a tan or light brown colour to a black however when taking the bag apart I found that the piping (leather between the joints) was also black, and the inside edges of the joints were also black so it would appear that this bag was black from the day it was made.

 

IMG_9618 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here is an exploded view of the bag in pieces only the base is missing.

 

IMG_9623_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The inside of the bag has these unusual pockets possibly for medicine bottles I don't intend to replace these as I dint carry medicine bottles.

 

IMG_9605 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Yesterday I bought a shoulder of veg tanned leather and I have started making templates for the replacement panels

 

IMG_9617 by my0771, on Flickr

 

These templates will be glued to heavier card at the end of the project and wrapped in lining fabric before being glued to the inside of the bag to reinforce the sides.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

The finished briefcase is stunning! A wonderful mix of vintage and new that blends wonderfully together.

 

The new project looks intimidating, the small bottles slot might have been for cosmetics.

[fountainpagan]

Michael, that is a beautiful briefcase. Congratulations.

What dio you do with it? Do you keep it, do you sell it?

 

Tha new project looks good.

 

The small bottles slot is great for pen slots.

 

Keep us updated.

Edited March 4, 2015 by fountainpagan

[my63]

Thank you both for your kind words.

I wanted to keep the briefcase but I needed to fund the Gladstone bag project so when I was approached by someone who wanted it I decided to let it go, It arrived in the USA yesterday.

 

The Galdstone bag belonged to a Doctor in the UK I know this because his name and address is inside the bag I have resisted the urge to contact him

 

I have made the decision to replace all of the leather here is the hide that I bought I made templates yesterday and marked out the cutting plan

 

Gladstone bag restoration project by my0771, on Flickr

 

if you can see the pencil marks there are two sides two lower ends and a base the upper ends are made from thinner kip leather as they need to fold in on themselves as the bag closes.

 

I have been sharpening my round knife ready to start cutting I just need to double check everything a couple of more times before I start cutting.

 

I was thinking of dying it black but I really have a thing for oxblood at the moment

 

Thanks again

 

Michael

[my63]

I have now completed the rough cutting of all the components

 

IMG_9639_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once I have made a decision on the colour I will dye all of the pieces then all I have to do is put it all together

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

After spending half a day dying all 7 pieces black the time has come to start re assembly of this case, The original leather had thin strips of leather as a spacer between each joint.
I did not have any suitable leather and neither did my supplier so I decided to use black suede instead I think it will give an interesting contrast, but we will see.

Assembly starts with the base I stitched the sides first followed by the lower end pieces the upper end pieces are made from a more flexible leather and will be lined in red suede before fitting.

 

IMG_9735_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9737_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9739_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

There is a cardboard structure that is glued to the sides and lower ends which allows the case to maintain its shape over many years of use.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Skyppere]

Here is a picture of the inside of a writing slope lock but the principal is the same

 

Lock 1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here is the same lock after cleaning and a little repair

 

key 3 by my0771, on Flickr

Just fascinating! who knew you had to become a locksmith as well! cheers

[my63]

This is the upper end piece and is the most complicated piece to cut and prepare as it must fold to allow the bag to open and close in this picture you can see the old and the new side by side.

 

IMG_9749_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The eagle eyed may have noticed that the new piece is slightly larger than the old one this takes into account the fact that the old edges have curled.

 

This piece does not have a backer board and needs to have the suede glued on with latex cement for flexibility but also because it needs to be sewn into place while it is wet to allow it to accept the required shape.
It will become clear tomorrow (fingers crossed) in the mean time they will go back into the plastic bag.

 

This bag also has a lock which needs some work as well as a new key

I have learned a lot about bag construction during this project which is great as I am in the process of designing a custom bag for an fpner

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

Unbelievable craftsmanship, Mike!

 

It feels like each bag is a learning experience which you are willing to share with us.

 

Really lovely!

[my63]

Unbelievable craftsmanship, Mike!

 

It feels like each bag is a learning experience which you are willing to share with us.

 

Really lovely!

It is a learning experience I have never made a bag before and the two restorations I did previously were documented here I have made a few smaller projects which again can be found here.

I have read a lot and watched videos. And have even had some one to one advice from Pete at my supplier,

My hope is that by showing how it is done someone else may have a go and restore or repair something for themselves.

I am not a professional leather worker or woodworker but I do like making things.

Thanks for posting

[my63]

This bag is getting serious now everything has been sewn together and the edges have been bound in red suede, I know the theory but have no idea if this is going to work

 

IMG_9755 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The upper end piece is backed in suede the sides and lower ends have a heavy card liner which will be wrapped in suede before it is glued in place

 

IMG_9752_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

If you have not already worked it out the bag is sewn together inside out then the whole thing is soaked in cold water then turned the right way out so keep your fingers crossed.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Ta daaaaaaaaa

So far so good after soaking the bag in cold water for about 10 minutes I pushed the base though the opening and pulled the seams into place

 

IMG_9766_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9765_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The outside is now inside it might take a day or two to dry out completely

[Skyppere]

I always thought leather and water didn't mix! What do I know!

[my63]

You are correct they do not mix however when you are making items using this type of leather soaking it in cold water is the only way to do it.

Once properly dried out it will not bend I will be sealing the outside of the bag with a blend of waxes.

Today I have been removing the rust and cleaning the metal frame prior to painting the intention is to wrap it in leather.

 

By the way if you do have a leather item that gets really wet allow it to dry naturally don't dry it in front of any type of heat source not even a hair drier.

[my63]

Yesterday in between other things I sanded and put a first coat of enamel paint onto the metal work for this bag this morning I have sanded it down again

 

IMG_9773_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9770_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step is to find a suitable leather to wrap the metal work in.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

I know that some of you are interested in locks and how they work so here we go

I have done a quick clean of the outside I am only removing the dirt that may stop the lock from working

IMG_9775_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the inside view

 

IMG_9777_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see the inside also required a clean

 

IMG_9780_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have brushed away all of the dust and fluff to reveal the inner workings of the lock

 

IMG_9784_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I will provide more details once I find a key that I can alter to fit

[my63]

This is a very simple lock it has a single plate (lever) that moves up and down it is called a single lever lock more complicated locks have more levers 5 is the number of levers in a high security lock in the UK,

Fitted in the lever is a small spring which is essential it is on the right in this picture the lock is open

 

IMG_9787_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

In the second picture you can see the key and the lever is in the locked position

 

IMG_9788_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

In the third picture you can see the whole lock together but inside out so you can see how it works the two silver pins are moved in and out when the two buttons are squeezed on the other side when in the locked position the lever stops any movement.

 

IMG_9790_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here is a picture in the locked position

 

IMG_9789_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Edited March 20, 2015 by my63

[my63]

I have learned another important lesson this week, I made templates for the cardboard pieces that line the inside of the bag which are then wrapped in suede and glued in place.
So what I have learned is that does not work the dimensions of the bag have changed and my templates were no good so I had to start again

 

IMG_9804_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see from the picture I have re made all of the pieces and they are ready to be wrapped in suede.
I managed to track down some rivets for the metal work which I am rubbing down ready to re paint it, I was unhappy with the finish of the brush on enamel paint so will be getting some spray on paint tomorrow.

[jonperry]

Like other here, I just stumbled upon this thread and am amazed and delighted to see your restoration work. Bravo!