Tinneal

Wow! I wish there were more pictures. I see the bidding is over. Did anyone catch the winning bid amount? Oh, wait. I just saw that no one bid on it! Really?? If I had $2,000 to spare and the saddle was authentically made by AS and in good shape, it would be a dream to have it!!

I made a set of harness bridles and 24' lines for a customer, and the most enjoyable thing about working with the Wickett & Craig leather was the lack of inputs I had to use on the leather! Just some simple edging, glycerine soap and an old piece of jeans and it was finished!

I'd also be interested in one of these tools if the price was right! Very nice work!

Thank you very much for the pattern!

Tandy has some huge conchos now... Apparently for upholstery uses, but I made a set of spurs for a customer with them, and they worked well!

Well, first of all the only why to securely anchor the bags to the back of the saddle, will be to take the screw conchos off the back, and put the bags in between the conchos and the saddle skirt... its not the best way, but I've done it for customers before. If anyone else has any better suggestions, I'd LOVE to hear them! The other option is to replace the back conchos with slotted ones, and instal strings - but to do that properly would involve drilling through the tree. Also, its a good idea to anchor the bags down to the back cinch, so they don't flap around. As for treatment, I'd dye them as close as possible, then oil then lightly (they will darken...) then i usually use atoms wax... You need to consider: - What will they be using the bags for? Long weekend rides, or a few hours out? Long weekend rides need strong and durable bags, with better treatments. Weekend "ditch rides" can get away with a tad less quality and more money into it looking pretty... but I all comes down to a compromise between what you're willing to put out there, with your name on it, and what the customer is willing to pay for, and wants. - What will they be keeping in the bags - so you know what sizes - What type of closure do they want? Buckles? Snaps? Ties? - How do they value aesthetics vs function? - HOW MUCH ARE THEY WILLING TO SPEND

Thanks for all the input, everyone! I'll do my best with what I get... The nice thing, though, is that I have until April to get it finished! So there will be lots of time in case he has to bring it back in... I don't think I'd be allowed to keep it here, because of the insanely stupid regulations in Canada regarding guns.

I was thinking that, too, but these suckers are big and loud and heavy... maybe just one per piece, for a total of 3 hangers?

I got 3 sleigh bells from a friend/customer for free. He was going to throw them out! I'm not sure exactly what to do with them. I want to make something in time for Christmas, so everyone can enjoy their sound. They're 8" around, brass, and sound wonderful! Any suggestions? I think they're a bit heavy to hang on a tree, but they could go on a shelf or a door, maybe?

I'm going to be making my first scabbard on commission. I have the Stohlman books "The Art of Making Leather Cases", vol. 1 - 3, so I have the theory from there to guide me, but I was just wondering if anyone on here can help me out. My friend will be bringing the rifle over either Wednesday or Thursday this week. I will only have the time that he is here, with it, so I would like any suggestions on how to make the most of the time I have. I'm going to take many pictures of the gun, and many measurements, but I was wondering if there's any sort of check list I could follow to make sure I get everything I need. Also, it has a scope. Thank you in advance!

I made a set of 25' x 1" driving lines for a friend. I just took straight straps off the hide, and spliced them together until they were long enough. I think I did an overlap of between 3 and 4 inches, with 3 rows of stitching. https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181734_178715735504690_178694752173455_408180_298541_n.jpg

Right now I'm buying materials at cost, and charging retail for them... sometimes I round it to the nearest quarter (up or down) just for the sake of easy mental math. As for my time, I only charge $10 CAN/hr, as I'm not a speedy worker, and finding customers willing to pay can be tricky... The biggest problem I have, is that people would rather buy cheap bridles from the tack shop, and replace them every year, than pay me a decent dollar and have something that will last. Sometimes I make things for people, and as long as I cover my costs, I'm happy. I don't charge them much on the agreement that if anyone asks, I charged them $X for it. It has worked really well in the past for getting my name out there, and often the initial people become repeat customers, at a regular charge. Also, the reason I got into this, was the pride I feel when someone goes on and on about how much they love what I've made... Those are the times I can feel content with not making a huge profit.

Great tutorial! Where did you get the creaser and stitch hole punch??

Great work! I've got bits and pieces and paper full of ideas for the cue case I plan to make. What did you use for the padding and where can I get some?? Right now I just plan on using scheduel 40 pipe and fleece lining!

Maybe it was that pattern, but he just made it wider...?

Just got it! Thank you very much.

Wow! Thats very nice!! The finish is beautiful.

http://www.bighousedaddy.com/construction_pattern_set.htm I use it. It works well!

That's a neat looking bag! I'd love to get a copy of the pattern, although I'm not sure when I'd ever be asking to make one...

My only complaint is that it is too beautiful. You should try and tone down the perfection next time!

Wow! I still consider myself to be a beginner... A never really thought of myself as graduating to novice, but maybe that has happened! Thanks for the feedback! Thinking back on when I stitched this, I think the key is to have patience. Because I made this for me, I wasn't pressed for time. If it took me 3 weeks (which it did) that was okay. I worked on it ONLY when I was in a good mind set. All I do is make sure all my stitching grooves are the same width from the edge, and that I use the same stitching wheel to mark the hole placements. When I'm using the awl to make the holes, I make sure to use an awl that's an appropriate size for the thread (I have 3 different size awls) and that all the holes I punch are angled correctly... with the flat sides of the diamond parallel with the edges of the stitching groove... I hope that makes sense! I tend to ramble sometimes.

I'm looking forward to checking out your website when I get home from uni, today! (Right now I have stacks of uni books on one side of me, and rolls of leather on the other... What a terrible choice I make every morning. ) This is my leather "portfolio" https://www.facebook.com/leatherportfolio . Not quite as fancy as yours, but it does the job!