Leather MD Briefcase (Doctor's Bag)

by Phiske

121K1.1K112

Intro: Leather MD Briefcase (Doctor's Bag)

One of my favorite style of briefcase is the doctor's bag. Basically that refers to any bag that has an internal metal frame that is hinged to hold the mouth of the bag open. These frames can be bought but are expensive and of bad quality. So being a Maker I figured I'd make my own.

STEP 1: Tools and Materials

I have quite a few leather tools that I've procured (mostly from Tandy Leather Factory) over the years. The tools shown aren't all that I have but are the most used (Forgot my strap cutter). You can get by in the beginning with just some basic tools such as a utility knife, straight edge, makeshift awl, stitching needles. But as you expand in your leather working you'll definitely want to get more tools. This will greatly improve the fun and quality of your work. You'll also need sponges and rags for dyeing. A cutting surface is essential. I have 4 plastic kitchen cutting boards screwed to my worktop for cutting.

Get a couple books to look through too. The ones shown are my favorites ( available here )

I also use a Dremel with a flexible shaft that I've had for some 14 years. These come in handy for tough leather if you have a hard time getting your stitching awl through. Just pop a 1/16" drill bit in and you're all set. You can also use it with a small sanding drum to even out glued up edges such as at the gussets or on the handle.

You will also need a drill,bits,oil and a hack saw to make the frame.

Materiales

10 sq.ft.8 0z. veg tanned leather

3 sq. ft 5 0z. veg tanned leather

1/8" x 1/2" x 4' steel

7" x 15" sheet metal

4 Dees 1"

2 Chicago Screws

1 Tuck catch

Thread

Leather Dye and Finish

Contact cement

STEP 2: Dye Leather

I have found that dyeing your leather beforehand gets the best results. Sometimes after I am done with a project I will go back with a darker color and antique it a bit. Follow the manufacturers instructions.

STEP 3: Cut Out Pieces

Dimensions for most of the parts are in the pic above. Only the gussets and the steel wraps are made of 4-5 oz. leather. The rest is from 8 oz. or there about.

STEP 4: Steel Frame

I made a frame for the mouth of the bag out of 1/8" x 1/2" construction steel. Draw it out on a piece of paper and take your measurements of off it. The finished dimensions are about 15 1/2" by 7 1/2" when open. Give enough room for them to be wrapped in the 4-5 oz. leather and not rub to much. Drill holes for the hinge the same dimensions as your Chicago screws about 1/2" from the end. Test it out.

STEP 5: Wrap the Steel Frame

Wet a 3" by 26" piece of 4-5 oz. leather down the center and fold it over. Let it dry a bit then cement this to the frame as in the pics. Cut out the hole for the chicago screws at the hinge and fit it together. Leave the ends long for now.

STEP 6: Handles

I don't have a pattern to share right now for the handle but I'll try to post it later. There are two handles and each is made up of 2 pieces plus 2 tabs to attach it to the body. Make sure to dye the backside of any parts that may be exposed. Follow pics above.

STEP 7: Coffee Break

STEP 8: Prepare Front and Back

Finish (dye and burnish) bottom and top edges of front and back. Cut stitching channel all around the outside about a quarter inch in from edge. Punch stitching holes. Glue to bottom as in pics. Stitch to bottom and add bottom feet and stitch.

STEP 9: Add Frame and Bottom

Cement and stitch frame to front and back. You can remove the chicago screws to make this easier. Cement sheet metal to bottom inside. This will keep your bag from sagging. Cement a thin piece of leather over the sheet metal.

STEP 10: Add Dividers to Gussets

The gussets are a bit tricky on this bag. Measure up a 1/2" from the bottom on flesh side of gussets and 3 " apart from the center. This is where the bag dividers will be located. Cement them in place then fold gusset over the divider. Use a hammer to crease it there and then stitch the gusset from the outside through the divider. Check out the pics

STEP 11: Install Gussets With Dividers

This is one of the hardest parts of this construction. The dimensions of the gusset have been deformed by stitching in the dividers so a bit needs to be trimmed off of the bottom sides to make it fit properly. Start by stretching and cementing the bottom of the gusset to the case. You may need to try to fit it a couple of times to get it right. Just cut a bit off at a time to get it. Cement, trim edges, burnish and stitch.

The ends of the steel frame wrap needs to be finished off at this point too. Trim it to your liking and stitch.

STEP 12: Add Handles and Lock Tab

I don't have a lot of pics for this step cuz I just wanted to finish it.

Locate your lock tab on the back side ( the side that overlaps the front) cement and stitch it in place. It should run long to be trimmed after you locate the female end of the tuck tab. Stitch that in place also.

Hold your handles flush together and then locate them on the body. Cement and stitch them.

STEP 13: Finish

I kind of antiqued the bag by adding darker stain o certain spots that would receive more wear. Then I put a protective oil to finish the outside.

All done!

77 Comments

Cuir Lo 1 year ago

Hello thank you for this great post Can you tell me where you get the metal piece to close this briefcase ? In France it’s not easy !
Thks

Digsby 3 years ago

I'm not getting the image with dimensions. If you could help that would be great.

AndrewB622 4 years ago

This looks incredible and I would love to get started on this. Is it possible to ask for a PDF download of the pattern? It would help so much, especially on those dividers, those looked difficult

Phiske 4 years ago

It’s been a while since I posted this and I generally don’t make digital patterns (but definitely should!). I don’t know what happened to my original patterns. I thought I posted dimensions in the details on each pic. A couple people have made it from those. Check them out below.

jonas.fridolph 3 years ago

Hello-
this is exactly the thing i was looking for. i saw your reply above here. and i need to ask to. would it be possible to get a copy of it to?
I will make one for my wife :)

Regards
Jonas F.
jonas.fridolph@gmail.com

rdswords 4 years ago

What technique did you use to dye the stitching grooves after cutting them? I tried a few things on a piece of scrap, but no matter what I did I couldn't keep the dye from making a mess on the edges of the groove.

MurniH 5 years ago

Thank you for this precious tutorial.. I have all the tools including dremel 3000 n can't wait to try your style!

usndave03 5 years ago

Do you happen to have a pattern for the handles or an estimated dimensions? Great work

DeenaB2 6 years ago

This is awesome! How long were the posts on your chicago screws? Thank you!

Jimodoh 7 years ago

Hello Phiske! This bag is incredible! I would like to make this bag for my brother who is graduating Med school this year. I was wondering what type of thread you have used?

Thanks again, keep up the great work!

nautilu007 7 years ago

Thank you :) I used stainless steel - about 20mm bright and 2mm dick. Stainless steel is more stable than normal black steel.

ewhipplebottom 7 years ago

So for some time i have been needi g a travel bag for my larger leatherworking tools and extra things. I am watching doctor who series nine at this moment while searching for what to make. So when i came across this sweet bag, that reminds me of the mary poppins carpet bag, and saw you watching doctor who also, it was serendipity. I am going to make this case, add a few extra pockets and compartments and i think i will be quite pleased!

jayduck9 7 years ago

Holy Cow! You make it look easy! Your work is beautiful and thank you for the great pictures, and Dr.Who. I'm going to try this out. Thank you again.

frenchjedi 8 years ago

absolutely beautiful job and fantastic instructions. I don't suppose you Would have the templates available for the sizing?

P H Ng宝 8 years ago

Beautiful! Well done! Very good and clear step-by-step instructions. Thanks for the great steps and it's on my to-do list. Love the design!

craftsfun 8 years ago

i love it