barbiesdude

Thanks guys, It isn't as noticeable on skirting leather, but something with a sheen like bridle or latigo, it really sticks out. Harder to rub'em out on those leathers to. Done some fileing to bevel, will post results.

Thanks Wiz, Just file to get the bulk then finer stone ,etc. then polish?

The foot is smooth underneath, I guess you could call it a toe impression.

I am getting walking foot tracks with my cb4500. I have turned down the pressure knob quite a bit and still there. One guy suggested fileing/beveling the toes? Any suggedtions appreciated.

"BTW: I am sitting here looking at a commercially available zipper and the only thing I see as hard may be the 1/2" ends with no zipper teeth. That should be no trouble at all." Yep, thats the spot. I was thinking maybe my top tension wasn't high enough to pull the loop up into the fabric/leather, or my bottom tension was to tight?

Not the teeth, but the nylon at the ends, the first 1/2" has a shiny coating which makes it harder than the rest. Where can I find these methods for sewing zippers. Thanks

Just sewed my first set of zippers in for a buddie's old chaps. Turned out ok but at the ends where there is 1/2" of hard coating, it didn't seem to pull my thread loop up into the hole on the bottom side. Using a 23 needle w/138 thread on a cowboy 4500. Once past the hard spot on the zipper it was fine. Any ideas or suggestions?

Yeah, I agree with Dirtclod, it's usually firs time horse owners with the black saddles and they are usually the cheapest, gawdy junk you have ever seen. Not just because of the color but materials and they don't fit a horse. However, there are markets like the Arab horse world that show their horses in pretty high quality black saddles. I guess its like anything else, when you first get into something you have pre-conceptions then after you have been in it for awhile you think "how did I ever like that or think that was cool."

Thanks for the good advice all, looks like dyeing is the best option at this stage of the game.

I have a tack order for a headstall, slobber straps, and breast collar. The issue is the customer wants black. I know that given time I will re-coup my money if I buy a side of black leather, but it may take awhile before I get enough orders for black projects. If I bought a side of regular veg tanned, Is it difficult to get a nice finish by dyeing black? I have other orders I could make out of a veg tanned side.

Two weeks ago I was blessed beyond belief, when I was able to purchase a new Cowboy 4500 from Toledo Inds. I am a total sewing newb other than my Boss Tippmann short time experiences. I live in MI and made the 3 1/2 hr drive down to pick it up. Bob gave me a crash course in running the machine and took his time in answering all my newbie questions. Great experience! If your looking at stepping up a level or want to do it right the first time, I would highly reccomend buying a machine from Bob Kovar at Toledo Industrial. Jamie

Not totally sure what you got there without seeing pics. Sounds like you should make all the spaces even with your fid all the way around, do your turnbacks, Then your running pairs and splitting. If there are still spaces I guess you need to adjust up in string size/width.

Nice Job

I to want to pursue saddle making. I have had a couple made and what I did was have my maker come out and throw some trees up on my horses and see which one fit the common ground (back). I knew I wanted a wade and we went with a bowden Ray Hunt and a Laporte old wade. I ride horses for a living and the only issue I have had in 4 years was on a big Walker which the bar angle and width fit but the rigging placement wasn't right. It was probably 7/8 and should've been 5/8 because after a few minutes you would be setting on his croup. So I know one size doesn't fit all even if good quality but I don't believe in "micro fitting" either, middle of the road I guess.

Great work, where do you find the time? Or is braiding your full time gig?

If the Argentines use the ashes, it's got to work well, those guys are amazing. You da' man on the romal's Leatherpownder. I have probably asked you before, but what is your foundation for your turnbacks and buttons, and what is your secret to getting them so uniform and consistant?

Found a video on Facebook at CJL Rawhide of Charles Liesen scraping a hide with this method. Sure looks easy. I have a hide on the rack, can't wait to try.

Good start. I am so anal unfortuantely, that I would have to fix that interweave LOL.

Awesome bosal! Do you secure your ring knot foundation for your heel knot by any other method than looping the strands from the cheeks around?

Thanks a ton Leather Pownder. Does sraping dry with the ashes cause the hair to slip? Also the hide I have sraped has some "fuzz" down in dimpled areas. would going over it with your method clean it up a little?

Could I trouble you to describe your process of scraping dry with ashes? I have a hide I scraped but am not totally comfortable with knowing how far down to scrape.

Awesome work as usual. Where do you get your rawhide from? Jamie

Lard as in plain crisco?

What thinner on the weldwood?

Thanks guys, great ideas. I also found a place on ebay that sales scrap pieces of poly. Would that work for punching?