Johan Potgieter: LeatherCraft: Toolbox

Leather Craft: My Toolbox

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This is my first attempt at a hand-made personal toolbox - inspired by Peter Main.

Inside
	I first constructed the box by gluing the four sides together and holding them in clamps. Then I glue on the bottom and lid of the box - ending with a closed hollow box. The hollow box is then sawed in half - top and bottom. On the inside of the bottom sides, I glue pieces of wood identical to those from which the sides were originally built - these serve to hold the lid in place. The lid is of course and absolute perfect fit, because it used to be one piece with the bottom of the box.
The next step was to plan the inside - the placement of the tools and the layers of cork that would give them a place to lie. I embedded strong magnets into the cork and glued it down with epoxy glue.
	I lined this box with pre glued felt from the local woodworking store (used for lining jewelry boxes), but never again - the adhesive is very strong and is very difficult to work with on the uneven surface - next time I will line it with garment pigskin.
Next was the enjoyable part of the project -putting the design on the leather - here the whole design has been carved and one half of me wanted to stop right here!
	I begin with the zulu shields and progress to the Trevor Jones Bars at the top and bottom. The Zulu shields are symbolic of the oldest use of leather in Africa and I just liked the design. The Trovor Jones Bars are dedicated to a master leathercrafter in Natal, South Africa, who made me a beautiful belt with a similar pattern on. The elephant was just another nice design I wanted to use in any Africa setting and the Strelitzia flowers just seemed to complete the picture.
I sometimes use a magnifying glass on a stand when I do fine dying work - I just find it so much less stress on my eyes in artificial light.
	At long last the dying is done and the leather is glued onto the box lid.
A final scan of the finished design.