Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Fittings for leather...

Colt Super
For about 30 years, I've had this nice Acme belting leather briefcase. The latches and combo lock are/is getting pretty sloppy. It's a nice case but getting kinda ugly.

I'd like to replace the hardware and dye the case a darker color, but I have no idea where to find hardware, or how to dye it.

Please help me.

Thank you.

Doug

HPIM0473.jpg

HPIM0472.jpg

HPIM0471.jpg
0

Comments

20 comments

Date Votes
  • D1
    http://www.woodcraft.com/depts.aspx?deptid=2224
    0
  • tccox
    Doug, when my dad was repairing shoes, he probably would have done it for 20 bucks or so. Now, if I were you, I would trash it and get one for half the price of repairing your old one. Think SAMSONITE, even tho my last one has a broken latch. Tom
    0
  • 1911a1-fan
    WHEW! Fittings for leather... i was hoping this wasn't about chaps with the azz cut out
    0
  • Colt Super
    tccox - Don't think so. I paid around $600 for it when I bought it, and I really like it. I've got maybe a dozen other cases, including a toploader that my Dad carried, which I am thinking about bequeathing to a Son.

    This case kinda feels like it is the end part of my arm. It's been around the world a dozen times, and on some long trips, also.

    drjew - Thanks for the link, I'll go take a look.

    Doug
    0
  • Colt Super
    quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
    WHEW! Fittings for leather... i was hoping this wasn't about chaps with the azz cut out


    Wise-ass dirty old weird man.

    Doug
    0
  • dcon12
    Matthew should be along shortly, he is the resident leather expert. Don
    0
  • kristov
    That is a nice looking case Doug and it deserves to be restored. I ordered two all leather brief cases from England, one for myself and one for my wife, and it is nearly impossible to buy a really nice all leather case for under $1500 today, unless you want something made in China [V].
    0
  • 1911a1-fan
    Doug i used to make leather belts wallets purses etc. this place has dye and finishes, and all that is leather, the clasp you may want to look at a shoe shop they will have the proper tools to make sure you get it done properly

    http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/
    0
  • tomahawk
    tandy leather sells dye and such for leather, might check them
    0
  • cce1302
    quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
    quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
    WHEW! Fittings for leather... i was hoping this wasn't about chaps with the azz cut out


    Wise-ass dirty old weird man.

    Doug


    I was going to say the same thing when you mentioned bequeathing your son. Guess I should go look up what bequeathing means.
    0
  • Colt Super
    Clay - ya done broke me up !!

    Doug
    0
  • asphalt cowboy
    Doug, are you intent on doing the work yourself, or have a professional repair it for you?

    These folks do first rate work.
    http://www.hillmers.com/
    0
  • Colt Super
    I'd prefer to have it professionally done, but on the other hand, I think I would learn a lot doing it myself.

    What do you think ??

    Doug
    0
  • asphalt cowboy
    If it were just a junker that you wanted to make usable I'd say try it yourself. But considering how much you value your case, I would say trust it to a pro.

    That's just me though. I don't know your talents or what your capable of.
    0
  • Colt Super
    Do you have any place in mind that could do a first class job ??

    Doug
    0
  • Wolf.
    --
    Personally, unless something is actually broken on it, I wouldn't mess with it, other than to clean it up and treat the leather.

    Get some mild shampoo (for people) and mix up a tablespoon in about 12 ounces of warm water. Get a sponge, soak it in the shampoo solution, squeeze it out and rub the case down with it. Rub any especially dirty spots vigorously. Get an well-wrung-out towel you soaked in clean warm water and rub down the case with it. Repeat this shampoo/rinse procedure a couple more times.

    After the case has dried for two or three hours (don't dry it with a heat source), rub some neutral (i.e. colorless) creme-style shoe polish into the case (this stuff comes in little one or two ounce jars and has the consistancy of pudding). This will condition the leather. Then wipe the case down real well with a clean, worn terry towel or tee shirt. Note: This will probably darken the case one or two shades.

    If you are intent on dying the case, use Feibings leather die. This is good professional dye. It comes in various formulas, some shiny and some flat. Look for it on the web. If you just want to change the color several shades darker instead of a major color change, use the creme shoe polish noted above, but in one of the tinted colors.

    As far as the hardware goes, look for it on the web. There are a lot of places that sell stuff like this along with jewelry "findings". Most of it is junk. If you can't find any that meet or exceed the quality of what you have, let the old ones keep working.
    0
  • Colt Super
    Thank you, Wolf.

    Doug
    0
  • Colt Super
    Thank you, Wolf.

    Doug
    0
  • asphalt cowboy
    www.hillmers.com
    They do first class work. They also make luggage, everything from backpacks to travel luggage that will stand up to airport baggage apes handlers.
    0
  • givette
    Ask ElPaso saddlery. If they do it, they'll make sure it is a quality job. Joe
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity