rmr

He does nice work on the video. He used a very interesting knife ( moew square that a head or round knife) to cut the leather- anyone use one- if so do you like them and where can they be found Thanks RMR

This is my latest shotgun case made from bison and latigo, lined with wool RMR

This is my most recent case made from bison and latigo. Its lined with wool RMR

Im sorry to keep asking questions about round knifes - but I wanted to see what surface is recommended to cut on?? I have been using poundo board and I notice the edge of the knife cuts into the board which hinders its ability to move forward as I push it to cut. Would it be better to use a hard surface??? If so doesnt the hard surface dull the blade quicker?? Thanks RMR

H Newfman Thansk for the pictures and web page. Though my dog "sugar" is a wire hair pointing griffin - but newfies are beatiful dogs!!!!!! I saw you do custom timberframing. Small world- we just had a timberframe home built in MT and love it. I do a little woodworking- so I built my daughter a timberframe bed. The stuff you guys can do with a mallet, chisel and slick is amazing!! RMR

Thanks to both of you for the referrences RMR

Would like some recommendations. I have a 4.25" tandy ( al Stohlman ) round knife. Based on what I have read in several books and on this forum, many letaherworkers have several differrent shape and size round knifes for differrent purposes. I would like to get some sources on where to buy good quality round knifes ( other than weaver and Tandy) and based on what I already have- your recommendations on a shape and size for me to consider. Also- what is the differrence between a head knife and a round knife??? Is it a size thing and or is one used for specific purposes?? Thanks RMR

Hi Snakehorse where did you post them?

What are the main uses/advantages of a 4 1/4" head knife or a 6" round knife. I currently have a head knife and am trying to decide if getting a round knife would be of any benifit Thanks RMR

Hi Bob I have been reading through your recommendations on burnishing edges. Thanks for all the great info. One question I have with regards to the burnishing wheel that you use to wrap the canvas around. Are you using one of the commercial wheels made to hold sanpaper drums- or is it a wood one?? Also is it a flat cylinder or did you create a groove all the way around the wheel like the commercial burnishing wheel that are sold in Weavers catalog?? Thansk Bob R

I have a question - I have read on several posts that some folks like to burnish their edges using products like paste saddle soap or parafin impregnated on a wooden burnishing wheels wrapped in cloth that are attached to either a lathe or drill press. Does anyone have a picture of one they are using?? I would like to make one and I have several questions 1) is the burnisher just a cylinder or do you lathe recesses of differrent widths into the cylinder 2) how are you keeping the cloth on the burnisher so it doesnt want to come off?? If you glue it- I suspect its comming off, Tacks would hold the cloth on but would probably mare the work Thanks Bob R

Hi King X Thanks for the info. Where on E-bay did you find it- I tried looking but couldnt locate it. I looked under leatherworking, looked under DVD's from Jeremiah Watt and also tried DVD " the art of leather carving" ....and nothing came up Thanks RR

Does anyone have the DVD set by Jeremiah Watt on "the aret of leather carving" that is gently used and in good condition that they are interested in selling?? Thansk Bob R

Does anyone have a used set of DVD's from Jeremiah Watt " the art of saddle making" - that are gently used and in good condition that they would be intersted in selling Bob R

Andy Thanks for the reply. So do most professional saddlemakers just use rulers and triple measure things from several differrent referrence points on the tree to get the riggings symetrical? RmR

Im attempting my first saddle - and have been reading the stohlman books. They really stress the use of a rigging gauge as described in the book. Is that commonly used today by saddlemakers?? I havnt seen anything on the forum written about it ( it might be I dont know how to do a search on old topics) - and before I go and spend a lot of time making one to their specs I just want to be sure the rigging gauge is still being recommended Thanks RMR

Im making a case that has a top that has a retangular section of brass that maintaines the form of the lid- but will allow each half of the lid to open straight up- I call it a spring lid hardware. I have attached a photo of the lid- unfortunately I dont have a picture of the actual hardware. Does anyone know what the actual name of this harware is - and even better- where to purchase it Thanks Bob R

I have decided to build my 11 year old daughter a saddle- will be my first one- but I have been doing leather cases for 10+ years. Im trying to collect all the tools that are specific to making a saddle that I dont already have. I finally got the draw down stand decided upon- Josh on this forum was very helpfull and I will be ordering one of the stands he makes next week. I have read all 3 of Stohlman's books in the last week- need to re-read them several more time before I get started on the actual saddle construction. It looks to me like one of the next biggest decisions I will need to make is getting a tree. From what little I know- but from what Im reading a hand made tree sound like the best way to go. Unfortunately we dont own a horse- she rents the use of a horse at one of our local horseback riding schools - so I cant make all the meausrements like what is advised in the Stohlman books to have the tree made. She currently used a "medium" youth western saddle at the school. She is about 11 (or will be when I get this thing done- hopefully by christmas 2011). Can anyone steer me in the right direction on who I should contact to get a youth tree made and is there a generic model that would fit most horses and a small frame 11 year old girl??? Im hoping that the saddle can be made large enough to last her a few years also Thanks RMR

Thanks for the input. Many of the patterns I use for a case are fairly big ( 40x 20) and are used over and over - since I use tracing paper I have to tape it down to the leather inorder to trace around it. I also have numerous smaller patterns for differrent irregular pieces( 7x 4). What is nice about the tracing paper is I can roll it up and put it into a carboard tube for storage when not in use. I have been thinking about making patterns/templates out of something more "hefty" like cardboard so I can just lay it on the leather and quickly and effeciently trace around it. I like the idea about the 1/4 plexiglass- especially for large square ,retangular or simple shaped pieces. The only concern I would have about the plexiglass is - if you have pieces that are a irregular shape ( not a simple square or retangle) - how do you cut out the plexiglass to get the smooth curves..........

What material do you make your patterns from?? I make custom shotgun cases, fly rod cases, shooting bags.... I have made my patterns using plain white paper taped together, I have also used the semitransparent tracing paper that Weaver sells. Im not real wild about either. Just trying to get ideas what others use to make their patterns with Thanks Bob R

Hi Josh Thansk for the reply Your Saddle makers stand looks very functional ans solid. How much do you charge for them??? I noticed that some of the more elaborate stands allowed one to twist, and tilt the saddle in any direction. I assume after seeing yours and the saddles you have made - that may not be necessary?? I have been doing letaherworking making shotgun cases for numerous years- Im thinking of trying a saddle project for my daughter- so im fairly unknowledable about making saddles and just trying to get equipment together to make one Bob R.

does anyone know someone who has a Ron Edmonds saddle makers stand that they might want to sell??

Other than Weaver leather- where else can you get a saddle makers stand. There was a post several years ago that a Ron Edmonds made them but I cannot find a current web site that he adverstises them Any help would be appreciated Thanks RMR

hi I have been doing leather working for about seven years. I have primarily made shot gun cases, shell holders, accessory bags and fly-rod cases. So, I have most of the basic leather working tools as well as a cobra 4 sewing machine. I will attach some pictures of a couple of my projects. What I am trying to decide is do I have the technical abilities and experience to attempt a saddle. My 10 year old daughter who has been interested in horseback riding for several years and is currently taking lessons, told me this morning that for her next birthday or from Santa next Christmas, she wanted her own saddle (as well as a horse to go with it, as I am pretty sure she is not going to get). I know I could just go out and buy one and be done with it - but the sentimental part of me says I might be able to make her one that would be more meaningful to her - something that I hope she would keep and cherish long after I am gone even if she outgrows it and it sits in her room. The queston I have is how hard is it to make a saddle. This is something that I know absolutely nothing about. I have always looked at these on this site and have been amazed at the workmanship and frankly it is just scared me and I have just stayed away from contemplating this kind of project. So how difficult is it going to be to make a basic saddle or should I rephrase this and say what kind of learning curve am I going to be looking at? I know there will be some necessity to buy additional equipment (I am always a believer "he would die with the most toys wins"). So what I am looking for is an honest opinion whether based on teh type of projects that I have currently done, is it realistic for me to tackle a saddle at this time or am I way over my head and I need to tackle other projects to advance my leather-working skills before trying to tackle a saddle. Please be honest, I have thick skin. If this is feasible, I would appreciate any references such as recommendations on books, DVDs, equipment, etc. Thank you. Bob R.

need to find someone to repair wallet I have a custom made wallet I purchased about 23 years ago in Sant Fe NM- evidently the shop is no longer in business- was right on the main square of the historic section of Sante Fe. The outside of the wallet is made from hippopotomus. When I bought it- the guy at the store told me he would bet the inside liners of the walett would wear out way before the outside considering how tough hippopotomus hide is. Well he was right- the outside of the wallet looks just like the day I bought it 23 yaers ago - but the inside linnings are torn and falling apart. I am looking for the name of a very repuatble leather worker to take the wallet apart- save the hippopotomus outer and recreate new inside liners- basically to refurbish the wallet back to new. I make leather gun cases but feel this is way out of my leage and I dont really want to mess up the hippo hide as I suspect that is something that is irreplacable. Anyone have any contacts Thanks Bob R