Restoring And Customising A Briefcase

[my63]

Hi Jonperry thanks for posting

 

last night and this morning I spent some time preparing the metal work for this bag for spraying

 

IMG_9807_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9810_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The paint is still wet these pictures were taken a few minutes after the second coat was applied I intend to apply another two coats weather permitting !

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

I have fitted the side and end panels into the bag now and it holds its shape really well

 

IMG_9815_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Unfortunately the metal work I sprayed yesterday is still a little tacky and I noticed a run in the paint this morning so I will need to do a little more work on that.

Regular readers will remember I have been searching for replacement rivets and have found a supplier in the UK who had just what I needed

 

IMG_9830_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

They are a very good fit and the colour is a good match too. I have not cleaned or polished the other metal work that holds the bag together as I still feel bad about renewing the leather.

 

IMG_9824_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Shangas]

Hi Michael.

 

I just wanted to say that seeing all your photographs about old locks gave me the confidence to rip the lock out of one of my writing slopes, break it open, and file down a key to fit the lock.

I have to say that, apart from some swearing and frustration, the end result was worth it I now have a writing slope with a functional lock and key I can see this being a new hobby...

[Frank C]

I came across this topic while browsing FPN today. Very interesting—and lots of work. I really appreciate the way you show each step of your processes. Makes me think I could do the same thing, if I had more time, the proper tools, some old cases, etc.

 

Keep up the good work!

[my63]

Shangas and Frank C thank you both my reason for posting pictures and the associated explanations is in an attempt to encourage others to have a go themselves.

If anyone does feel inspired and gets stuck then I am happy to offer support and advice.

 

Shangas the fact that you have been inspired to make your own key has made my day.

[Shangas]

I had this writing slope which I bought...more than a month ago now, I think. And all my efforts to find a key for it had failed. Every effort to file a key for it had failed.

 

In the end, I pulled the lock out of the box, levered the lock open and broke it into its component parts...

 

 

After I figured out how it operated, it was just a matter of finding a key that fit the post, and then filing and testing the key, over and over, until it was just the right size to turn the lock.

Then I reassembled the lock...

 

Put the front plate back on, and then screwed it back into the box.

Works fine, now

By the way, the key shown isn't the one I eventually used. I found another one which worked a lot better.

[drifting]

Fascinating thread and impressive work. Thanks for sharing the process.

 

I'm curious: having taken apart and restored several originals, do you feel like you've learned enough to build your own bags from scratch, or is the restoration the main thing that interests you? The Picachu case was cool, but not quite as complex as the other bags you've showcased here, correct? Are you tempted to make original cases with more complicated designs similar to your restorations?

 

I'm amazed at what's possible in terms of restoration considering the state of some of these cases. I'm fairly certain had I come across any number of the bags you've shown here in an attic somewhere, I would have thought, "How cool! Too bad it's shot." and proceeded to pitch it out. Live and learn.

 

Ryan.

[my63]

Hi Ryan

I am very interested in making a bag from scratch I bought the case making books by Al Stolman and asked the saddler who works at my leather supplier, he suggested the best way to learn how to make bags and cases is to repair some so that is the path I have followed.

 

I do in fact have a commission from a FPN member to make a custom bag which I plan to start this week once I have the lining material.

 

IMG_9795_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is a picture of the templates cut from grey board these are the actual size of the panels so a stitching allowance needs to be added to each piece, the easiest away to achieve this is to draw around the template with a pair of dividers set to the desired width. Then reset to a halfway point to mark the stitching line.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

After many attempts at painting the metal work for this bag I have finally achieved a finish that I am happy with

 

IMG_9870_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As with many projects this is a learning process I have sewed the edges right to the top however when I dry fitted everything I found that I need to remove some of the seams to allow the metalwork to fit in place, so a little more cutting and sewing is required.

[Anne-Sophie]

Gorgeous!

[my63]

Thanks Anne- Sophie

 

This is another case that I really want to keep

 

Today I riveted the handle and end pieces in place ready for the final assembly which I am planning to do tomorrow.

 

IMG_9876_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I may give the handle a quick rub over with some black dye to tidy it up a little.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

Thank you for your inspiration Michael!

 

Following your posts is always great, I also appreciate that you share the occasional physical limitation that preclude heavy sewing and use that time for other projects.

[my63]

I have forgotten to rivet the feet into place so that will be my next job before I put the two pieces together this is the finished metal work

 

IMG_9899_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The bag itself needs to have all four corners trimmed and the feet riveted in place and it also needs a polish with some nice wax

 

IMG_9902_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

As one project nears completion which I am planning on keeping for myself although I have said that before
I have two other cases that are in the early stages

 

This is the first based on the hardware from an old Gladstone type case the pieces are all marked out and cut out oversize ready to be dyed

IMG_9888_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The second is a full custom small messenger bag here you can see the pieces all marked out ready for cutting out

IMG_9882_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

And if I finish them

 

IMG_9928_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9937_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have managed to acquire another Pendragon brief case this time a tan one which I will re sew and line in suede, The owner of the first case is very happy with the addition of the strap that I will be adding one to this case also.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

OK to update from yesterdays post time to add a little colour the first 5 pieces now look like this

 

IMG_9944_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The second case is burgundy and is bigger

 

IMG_9945_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next picture shows the front inside divider and the back pocket

 

IMG_9946_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Finally the gusset piece buckles and handle

 

IMG_9940_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

All of the components will be left to dry overnight and fingers crossed I will be happy with the colour tomorrow

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Dying leather is not easy getting an even colour is almost impossible getting something you are happy with is a compromise which I often find difficult.
I start the process with a 50 50 mix of dye and dye reducer so after two days of applying coat after coat this is what I have

 

IMG_9954_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

It is a rich and deep colour for some reason it looks more patchy in the pictures than it does in person.

The next stage is to think about the handle one of the requests for this project was for a handle that was attached directly to the bag with as little flex as possible you can buy handle kits but there is no fun in that.

So this is how I am going to start a 3mm diameter leather thong and a piece of leather

 

IMG_9961_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Roll the thong in the leather and add a little glue

 

IMG_9964_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The diameter changes to 12 mm this is the core of the handle I will add layers of leather to form the final shape

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

I have started the assembly process on the burgundy bag commissioned by a member here, I started this morning by backing the dyed leather in the cognac suede chosen for this project.

The gusset piece had been soaked in water before the suede was glued in place I folded the gusset in half and pressed it down.

 

IMG_9970_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next two pictures show both sides of the centre divider one is leather the other is suede

 

IMG_9972_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9974_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The reason for starting with the centre is when I restored the pendragon case earlier in this thread I found it very difficult to add the centre section.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Edited April 12, 2015 by my63

[my63]

I need to finish the handle so I have glued a strip of leather to my tube and built up the ends there are no handles like this in my books so I am learning as I go the request was for a fixed handle without joints.

 

IMG_9979_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see I have a long strip which will be fixed to the bag and I will wrap the round section and the strip in the same leather as the rest of the bag I plan on using the off cut from the flap on the front of the bag which I made extra long, (of course I did that on purpose) :haha:

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Edited April 15, 2015 by my63

[jsolares]

Interesting take on the handle, should hold up better than the one with joints, i've seen the thread begin to unravel due to the motion or weight, and from there it's just a matter of time before it falls off.

 

Great work as usual

[my63]

Thanks Jsolares

 

The handle I have shown is the inside structure hopefully the outside will be a little prettier when it is finished