mulefool

Yeah, I was thinking maybe they wanted ferrules.

I have a Chandler 305-64. I've had it for over 20years with very few problems. I don't have any problem at all sewing the yokes on the chaps, it's plenty stout enough for that. I also use it for sewing heavy canvas and leather alforjas bags and half breeds for Deckers and I don't need to adjust between projects, other than change needles of course for the lighter thread on the chaps.

Turned out nice. Sometimes knowing how to turn a mistake into something nice is one of the best assets to have. We always called those bit hobbles when used on a snaffle bit to keep it from pulling through the mouth. Or curb strap if used on a leverage bit. Maybe it's a regional thing.

I haven't taken any pictures, so far just a bunch of practice stuff. I do have one piece I started that I wouldn't mind getting your opinion on. It's what I would call a pretty simple design, but I 've had a heck of a time wrapping my brain around it. I got it done once, but I didn't make any notes on how I did it. I sure enjoy the process of the actual hitching, but I'm not so good at figuring out how I'm going to execute the pattern, I just kind of head out and see what happens, so far that hasn't worked all that well for anything other than a simple diamond. If I can run down a 12 year old, I'll try and get a pic and see if it can be posted here. thanks!

I'm not sure Herb needs a website. Seems like he's already as busy as he can stand. He does have a little catalog. Have you got that?

Thanks for all that good information. I've probably got all the books on hitching, but Clays seemed to work best for me. You know I haven't tied the dropped pull on the next round. Must have missed that somewhere, but it sounds like a good deal and I'll start doing that. I'm pretty sure I understand what you mean, but once I try it we'll find out. I made up some of my own paper for graphing out designs, it's laid out more like brickwork, which isn't quite right either but has worked okay. It would be nice to come up with something that really looks the way the knots lay together. When you say tassles are you talking about shoo flies? One idea I have for a bridle would have a spiral hitched rope for the throatlatch that comes together with a tassle at the bottom and then a sliding knot to tighten. If that makes sense. Well, if you find that 12 year old kid, I'd love to see some pics of your work. The coffees always hot! It's not always good, but it is hot.

I agree on the $550.00. They look plenty worth it. I just had a customer order some with spots which I haven't done before either. I've been rolling around in my head what to quote so your experience is really helpful. do you have a foot operated spot setter, or did you do them by hand?

thanks for your help Andy. You know I've got that book around here someplace. I had forgotten all about it.

Thanks guys. I guess when I think pineapple knot, I think the knot at the bottom of a bosal, but I guess it doesn't have to be that big. I've got Bruce Grants book so I will check that out. justken, so far what I'm making is just lots of practice pieces. I've got a drawer full of stuff. But what I'd like to be able to make is some headstalls. Primarily the browband or one ear piece and the cheekpieces, butted up to leather for the ends. rather than completely horsehair. I have practiced covering the joined area with making half hitches of waxed thread. but I think I need to do something better with the base under the knot because the shape is kind of off. I'll just ask a couple questions rather than the dozens I have for now. Don't want to overload you. Plus it would be nice to be able to sit down with somebody over a cup of coffee with hitching at hand to discuss it. it'd sure be easier. Anyway, I try really hard to pull every thing down tight, not cut things too short when adding a pull, but on the finished piece I always seems to have a few that stick up a bit. When I press it, they seem to lay down better, but I'm worried that with use they would start to pop up again. Do they generally stay down pretty good? I wanted to find this out before making an actual using headstall. Hate to put in all that work only to have something start coming apart. As far as the design, it seems like there might be more than one way to skin a cat. When I start to try and figure out how I will execute it I start thinking of other ways it could be done. This is the absolute hardest part for me. do you work it out a few different ways on paper first? What type of equipment do you have? I made a lap board type deal like in Clay Christensens book, but just the other day I saw a set up that was almost like a loom to sit at, of course not exactly portable. i'd sure enjoy seeing some pictures of your work if you're able to post pictures. Thanks!

I'm wondering if anyone here does hitching? I'm learning and have a bunch of questions, although if you don't want to be hounded by questions you might want to keep quiet. I won't ask them til I know somebody might be interested in them. I do have a question about a good knot in either leather or rawhide to cover the joining between leather and hitched work.

Thanks for responding Andy. I got to thinking it would be pretty hard to compleletely describe how a person does a ground seat with out spending a couple days at best on it, so just hitting a few points is probably best. I just got a couple questions of you don't mind. When you spike it tight I'm assuming that pulls it pretty flat across the channel. Do you do anything to the underside between the channel to put a curve in it? I'm assuming Mantle is just a typo and you meant cantle. So am I understanding it correctly you pull the end of the first strainer peice under the cantle between the bars? so you would be cutting kind of a notch on each side so it can go from nailed to the top of the bar to then the underside of the cantle arch between the bars? thanks

I specialize in building pack saddles and all the related equipment. I like to get feedback from my customers and suggestions on improving things and have used customer ideas for improving my product. I am willing to make changes to my regular line for a customer as long as it's not unsafe, or if it's something I would be embarrassed to put my name on. Generally folks will need to pay extra for the extra time involved in me figuring out how to implement their idea, although if it isn't too big a deal and it's a regular customer I might not. Over the years I've incorporated a number of these ideas into my regular stuff. If I end up using it on a regular basis I try to remember to thank the customer for their idea, maybe a card or perhaps a little discount on their next order if it's really a terrific idea. I try to keep an open mind.

I had used metal strainer plates for years . I wanted to learn to build an all leather ground seat and the only place I knew were instructions was the Stohlman book. This was maybe 6-7 years ago, maybe more. I have the first saddle I built that way and it's been ridden quite a bit and so far it's held up well. I have several others out there I built that way that get quite a bit of use and so far no complaints. But I'm not completely happy with doing it that way and would love to hear how others do it. At first I thought that plug for the handhole was a good idea but I spend more time than I want cleaning that area up and getting it to look right on the inside of the hole after I pull the plug out. I'm also not crazy about cutting the stirrup leather slots and would rather use bar risers. I've been wanting to get the Harwood video and was wondering if he spends much time talking about the ground seat.

I haven't purchased one of your reprints yet, but I did see your website and reccomended it to someone on here a while back. I might put them on my Christmas List.

Really really nice work. So for pinking the edges did you just grind off a #8 punch or does some make a half round? I've ground off punches for that but they don't seem to last too long that way. By the way you've got a really nice website. Love those chinks with the black and white corkscrew fringe. Steve Bell from Eclectic Horseman did our website too, he sure does a good job on them.

Arg. I think I just burned my retinas.

I got the impression you were asking about patterns that could be adapted to leather so that you could use your own creativity in designing it. There are alot of types of patterns that lend themselves to that. woodcarving, silver engraving, etc. I also like to go to the library and just check out books about different styles of craftmanship or art, Asian, Celtic, Native American, what ever strikes my interest and find inspiration there. also Dover Publishing carries alot of books with uncopyrighted designs of various styles to use for inspiration.

About 20-30 years ago I was playing around with braiding. It seemed alot easier to concentrate on following the instructions then. But you're right, once you get it it IS relaxing. Almost meditative, unless you are working on a knot or something. Right now I'm trying to learn horsehair hitching. Sometimes I think my head is going to explode. But it looks like you are doing a good job.

Well, so far (Knock on Wood) things have been pretty good here. But I do admit to being nervous. I build pack saddles at the high end price wise of that market. We recently attended a large packing clinic where we usually do quite well. Last year we had our best year ever. We didn't do as well this year and sold more smaller ticket items. However in general I'm still really busy. I don't advertise doing any repair work and don't encourage it, but I've thought if things got slow I might promote that locally since there is definitely a market for it. I am kind of worried about the horse market, but I guess you just have to wait and see and maybe have some contingency plans in mind. I've also become alot more on top of my own costs and trying to keep things in check. of course I should be doing that anyway. It's hard though to feel like you need to raise prices at the same time everyone is feeling the pinch already.

Here's some answers to some of your original questions. Do you keep track of your saddles after sale? I don't actually do anything specific to do that, but I usually keep track because they belong to good customers I am seeing for other items. Do you offer to resell your saddles for the customer if they decide to sell? (This could satisfy the buy-it-now customer) Yes I do. I don't normally carry anything on consignment but will sell one for a customer. I generally have a few people in mind that would be interested in one already so it works pretty good. Do you know the resale value of your saddles? Since I don't sell anything other than my own I don't actually have that good of an idea of the market as I should I guess. I have usually been able to get at least what they originally paid for it, unless it's one of the really old ones, so they feel pretty happy with that. Are you interested in increasing market share or are you too busy for comfort now? At this point in time I have cut way back on custom saddles. I only do maybe 2 or 3 a year. I don't advertise them at all. I do advertise and promote the main part of my business which is pack saddles and related gear. www.horseandmulegear.com. I am busier than I really want to be, but I'd like to make more money. Wouldn't we all? Is your greatest interest the welfare of the horse or your income? Where is the balance? (You may not want to answer this one on a public forum) that's sort of difficult question in the sense of "which is more important world peace or the welfare of your children?" It's kind of all intertwined and if you are going out of business because you don't care about the income then you aren't going to be able to help the welfare of the horse.

Those are great questions to ponder, Jennifer. The pricing thing is a constant struggle for me. The funny thing is every time I grit my teeth and raise my prices, I think the next time I quote someone they will be gasping or something. When they say 'well, that's not as bad as I thought" I think maybe I didn't raise them ENOUGH. I do alot of out of state business with a catalog (just changed to a website) and in the interest of keeping shipping charges easy for the customer to figure out I had some set rates for various amounts of merchandise. I started to check out my quotes on the UPS website now and I was way off, because they've added alot of extra surcharges and stuff since I did my original estimates. I'm in the process of redoing alot of prices. When a supplier announces for example a 2% price increase I have always thought well maybe I'll just absorb that for awhile. How dumb is that???? My resolution this year is to keep track of increases and raise my prices accordingly. Jackie, that's interesting what you say about the middle aged recreational rider. I've kind of found the opposite to be true. I've found an awful lot who are very concerned about the well fare of their horses and willing to pay top dollar to get it. Their horses are usually their main pastime and they will spend alot of disposable income on them. Of course you have to target the ones with a fairly high amount of disposable income, I guess. It seems like it would be hard to turn out a 'custom saddle" for under 2000 and make any money on it.

I've done it both ways. When I punched a couple holes I didn't put in any eyelets and it seemed fine, the hat lasted over 20 years. I've also used the cotter pins and that would probably be my choice for the best way to do it.

I buy alot of Hermann Oak Harness backs. I buy alot and could buy direct from Hermann Oak but I use the strap cutting service from Weaver because it saves me alot of time, so I get it from them. Over the past year or so I have had number of disappointing backs from them. I've been getting ready to write a complaint letter about this. For example the last order I had one back that out of about 23 straps that had been cut from it about 8 were completely unusable. I couldn't even find any spots where I could cut some shorter straps. I realize these are considered "tannery run" but it seems a very high percentage and I'm paying a premium price for those backs. So I feel your pain.

Thanks guys, Lots of good points to ponder. I had been thinking along the lines of a retired person, since I really don't think I need someone full time. I'm also thinking it would be nice if they can qualify as an independent contractor so I don't have to worry about all the paperwork for state and federal taxes. Well, at least not as MUCH paperwork.

I use a roller knife and a plastic see through ruler so I can gauge the width of the fringe as I go. works slick!