This was my approach to making a backpack!! Enjoy !!! ENJOY! and please subscribe / jimmydiresta shop.jimmydires... makingitpodcast... / jimmydiresta / direstashop send real mail to Me and Dave at P.O. Box 20270 NYC, NY 10009
This could be one of the greatest tips making a bag I've ever seen. I have never considered doing a mold as such, and wrapping around a box. That's such an awesome tip
And folks wonder why good work costs real money! What an amazing display of craftsmanship, as always... Keep on showing the world what beautiful handcrafted goods are all about, brethren!!!
Im a huge fan, I listen to the podcast religiously, and watch every video you have, plus your friend's vids. I am not a troll, I am a recent veteran who now does leatherwork for the US Military on a daily basis as a contractor. I am impressed with you use of a plane to "tame" the edges; very cool idea that I will use in the future! I do have a suggestion for your future of leather working... if you backstitch a few stitches, it is much stronger than tying a knot. knots tend to slip eventually, where the friction of the backstitch is usually a bit better. this can be improved by "taping off" the stitch, by gently tapping the stitches with a polished (or not) hammer to shrink the punch holes around the thread. also, some of the heavy wear sections could use a rivet! copper or brass, just something mechanical to hold over time. I learn from you on a daily basis with your efficient ways of "knocking it out" in a classy way....thanks for the content! gotta go...dog's chewing on my DIRESTA pencil!
You get so many comments mine will probably get lost in the noise. However, here goes: as you browse through flea markets and even antique stores, you will occasionally come across the type of sewing machine called a "Harness Sewing Machine" which were made to stich horse harnesses. They will go through leather like a regular sewing machine goes through cloth. Failing that, a sailmaker's sewing machine is very powerful. And probably more flexible. Either one would have saved you a lot of time and hence, money. I do my stiches the way you do. But I don't do it for a living. And I have a stiching awl which, once you learn it, is also faster than lacing up the way you did. A fine video as usual.
You are correct to an extent sir. However, hand stiching is much more durable. A machine uses a lock stitch that can come loose if one of the threads are damaged. hand sewing is less likely to do that and is more easly repaird. There are books written by Al Stolman that cover basic hand sewing and why it is better. Also, with practice and a sewing awl it goes much faster.
I have a backpack that I rarely use because the straps dig into my armpits. I was inspired by your metal crossbar holding the straps closer together at the top, and I sewed one on to my pack. It no longer cuts into my armpits; it's perfect now. Thank you!
You amaze and inspire me. In central Texas I do carpentry work, bee keeping etc. I do the weird jobs nobody wants to tackle. I watch your stuff and just am amazed how versatile you are. Mr DiResta thank you
Jimmy I want to thank you for doing what you do. You've been a huge inspiration for me. Back in middle school I had a class called Tech Ed.. We did lots of woodworking in that and I forgot how much I loved it. I started a Material Science class at the beginning of the semester because of your videos. We haven't done a lot of woodworking, but your videos helped me a lot. I really appreciate it. Keep up the amazing work!
The Diresta Bug Out Bag! And people thought your EDC was crazy before. I love watching the progression as you learn new stuff. Sometimes I want to yell at my computer 'cause that not how I would have done it, but you always get through it and it ends up looking beautiful. Thanks for the show!
i actually watched my dad use the same method to make tool holsters for his favorite woodworking tools.. he did them for hand tools and power tools..Thanks Jimmy
I love that the flap has that organic flow. Also the versatility of carry with the additional handle/strap binder. The homemade hasp helped me work out some intentions for some of my future projects.
No way man, I love the fact that the cover flap has a natural edge. It contrasts nicely with the clean edges found everywhere else on the backpack. I hope we get to see this again a few years down the road when the leather softens and patinas... I'll bet it looks awesome!
I wondered at what point he was going to brand his logo onto every panel, a la a cattle brand. The fact that it's on the inside rather the sides and face stunned me.
+Giraffe with tattoos I'm pretty sure he just puts his name on most things in his videos so his videos can't be stolen/reposted. It'd be impossible for someone to try to claim anyone but "Diresta" made these videos lol
Although not woodworking this might be one of your greatest videos (so far of course, you just keeps improving). There was a ton of awesome tips in this video. Small stuff like clamping the straightedge to the table to the forming of the leather and wrapping it around. A straight up and honest "thank you" Jimmy for everything you teach us.
+Norner Houtbewerking I find leatherworking to be just as impressive, if not more so, than woodworking, so don't care too much about it not beeing woodworking ;) The main problem with leatherworking is that it demands a whole new set of tools. But I agree with you :)
Them: "Who are you wearing?" Me: "Jimmy." Them: "Choo?!" Me: "No, Diresta." Them: "I've never heard of them." Me: "Well let me show you some of his videos........." *Three hours later* Them: "Well...... um......" Me: "Yep."
The bottom might sag a bit, but he reinforced the top. Unless I missed the step where he finished the leather, the bag isnt water proof, so once it rains it will loose the shape its holding, except for the top.
@@Dizzykitty817 it's not for actual use. It's just a show piece a proof of concept if you will. It's just going to sit somewhere inside as an example of his work
@@Thabzzz People wanted to know if it will hold it's shape after use, and I gave an answer based on how it was constructed. Whether this particular backpack saw use or not doesnt change the fact that the bottom would start to lose it's shape if it were to be used.
The most surprising bit to me was the block plane to soften the edges of the leather. That's the kind of technique that evolves in a cluttered shop that doesn't necessarily happen in a more organized one. Clutter breeds creativity.
It is so satisfying to watch your videos, you have something for everything and I believe that everyone could watch you craft forever, and it's almost disappointing when it ends...
+MAking Props The water was just to mold the side gussets. After it dried, the leather would have been harder than before he soaked it but retained the shape of the mold he had built. Generally: the hotter the water, the harder the leather becomes afterward. (Hence, leather armor was often made from boiled leather.)
+MAking Props For softening leather i do believe you have to use some type of leather oil. Otherwise it will dry and be harder than before like Mr. Props said. Wetting leather is also how you make it form or somewhat mold to a shape.
Its a custom backpack he left the form of the flap as it was on the hide. The point is to show that it is "special". If you want something symmetric and ordinary go a shop and buy some plastic .
Someone is going to have an awesome, 1 off bag that looks like it'll last a lifetime!! Great job and thanks for all of the awesome videos. Your a true inspiration.
im 14 and have never been in a workshop environment like this or made anything like this or have much interest in making things like this, i just like the noises it makes when it goes super fast
Called a live edge, same with wood. Just means you used the edge it naturally had, in the case of wood often with knots or bark still on the edge, as far as leather you just use the edge that was originally cut and stretched by the tanning process. It's a pretty cool look, for wood or leather!
i just love watching you work man. kinda like watching bob ross paint.. watching something emerge out of nothing is always awesome to watch. the day you manage to work in "happy little tree's" i will probably explode.
Nice build Jimmy. I like the use of the wood stitching form. It came in really handy throughout the build. When you are finishing the stitching , try back stitching 2 or 3 stitches instead of tying a knot. You will get a neater appearance and a more secure finish. The knot can wear away causing your stitches to fail. I like the catch that you made and the natural edge to the flap.
as always, your work is inspiring. thanks for all the great ideas. I did lots of leather work as a kid , but it has been quite a few years. I think I'll do a few more projects after seeing this video.
A randoseru! I love it! Parents in Japan will pay upwards of $500 for a similar design, but smaller bag. They're meant to last their child's entire tenure at elementary school. The one you made could last a lifetime!
Get yourself some hand chisel pliers. It makes a cleaner and straighter stitch line on both pieces of leather when you are making the gussets. Great closure hardware. Thanks for sharing your work!
Jimmy, that thing you did with the straps would be the perfect photo bag system ! it permit you to both take a heavy configuration (without hurting yourself, because it's a backpack) and have it easily reachable when you're on a good spot (because it's also a mesenger bag !) Insanely great work ! (as usual actually)
Very Nice Jimmy. reminds me of the handsewn Catalog Cases salesmen used to use back in the 1960-70's I used to sell in an office Supply Store I worked at.
