harrington

My suggestion would be to pick up the Al Stohlman Saddlemaking Encyclopedia set to start with. He put a wealth of information in them and I know many people who still refer to them after building many saddles. As far as tools, buy the best you can afford, you won't regret it. Bob Douglas in Sheridan, WY is a great source for tools and would be good to talk with about getting started with a basic set of tools. Good luck.

Really nice job on the carving. Looks like you drew the patterns? Do you make your own cuff patterns too? thanks, Tom

Beautiful knife, what do you get for your round knives?

Really nice job, have you tried it out yet?

Really nice, Steve. Where do you get your trees and makers plates? Tom

Nice work, what are they priced at?

I'm not familiar with the model numbers on these, what is the width capacity?

Congratulations, Gianni, I know it felt great to get the first one completed. You did a great job one the first one working with only the DVD and books. Did you make it for your own use, or to sell to a customer?

Nice job, I think you kinda have this saddlemaking-carving stuff handled pretty well. I hope the cowboy appreciates your handiwork, I spent some time in Northern AZ and know how hard those cowboys can be on stuff. Again, excellent job, hope you post more pictures of work you've done.

Holy cow, what a blast from the past! How are you and Bronwyn and family doing? We are doing great, finally decided to start building saddles this past winter and this was my 2nd one. Right now my base price is $1800, with extra for padded seat, stirrups and front cinch. Could use another order if you're in the market. Assume you are still in Wyoming? Drop me an email at tharrington@montrose.net when you get a chance. Tom

I'll see if I can find one and post it back to you

Nice job, where in Colorado are you located? I'm looking for a new pair of boots and ready to try something different than Bonds and Becks. I like them both, but just ready to try a different maker, Colorado would be great.

I can't find a website address for Timberline Saddle Tree, I always contact Randy directly by phone, 435-789-8228. They are in Vernal, Utah so are in the Mountain Time Zone. Nice job on blocking the skirts, Gianni. You will really see the progress from here on.

Aurelie if i were you i would save my money and not buy a ralide tree. IMO their no where near as a good as a wood rawhide tree. Their pretty easily broken. I would agree with not getting a Ralide tree. If you are really interested in something different, try one of the molded poly/Kevlar trees from Mark Howes at Double H Ranch Saddle Shop in Fort Collins, Colorado. They are super tough and can be rigged with a cable rig or a traditional flat plate or D ring rigging. They are about the same price as a Timberline tree.

Your flat plate pattern looks good. I would stitch the top part where you skive heavily and the stirrup leathers pass over. Also try to make the front, top part of the rigging plates wider and wet shape it to mold to the base of the fork. Then put the attachment screws in a nice arc around the base of the fork. Also need to make a small attachment point with two screws inset at the point of the cantle in addition to screwing into the bars at the back. Just my suggestions, everyone has their opinions, take what you like from this site, there is a tremendous amount of great information.

I'll try this-

Are there any hides in the 4-5 oz weight in a grey or tan color? We have started using chrome tan elk for horn wraps and everyone likes it alot. If you buy a strip from a tack shop or a saddle shop, they can be as much as $20 for a 2" by 60" strip. Maybe you can find an outlet to a larger saddlery in the Great Basin or California.

Just finished my 2nd saddle today, 16 1/2" Timberline Wade tree, Hermann Oak leather, Watt hardware, Trina Weber 5" Stirrups, my handtied 17 strand mohair cinch. Thanks for looking and please comment and critique.

I'm not familiar with the two-piece tin strainer, how are they connected? If they are only covered with the two pieces of leather groundwork, won't they separate and collapse?

Johanna, can you tell me where to access the adult site? I don't see anything obvious. thanks, Tom

I'm assuming there are some posts somewhere on the site about handsewing with an awl and two needles, but you can also get Al Stohlman's book, Handsewing Leather, for a good resource. Were you able to get in touch with Bob Douglas? His daughter owns Sheridan Leather Outfitters and she may be easier for you to reach. Good luck

Please add me to the adult section. Thanks, Tom

OH NO! not the drill bit for sewing, I mean no disrespect to your teacher, but you need to call Bob Douglas in Sheridan, Wyoming and get a good awl blade and learn to hand sew the traditional way. The drill bit removes material and you will never get a straight line. With an awl blade in a good haft you will eventually learn to sew beautiful lines of stitching that looks like it was done on a sewing machine, tight, clean, and uniform.

I sewed the cantle binding yesterday, drilled the tree, lined and sewed the skirts and finished the back cinch and tugs, both latigo lined and stitched. I should be able to get it done in the evenings this week and have the customer pick it up by the weekend. He is anxious to start riding it. I'll post pics when finished.

Looks like nice work, especially for trying to work being pregnant then having a baby to take care of later. Keep up the good work. Are you making the saddles for customers there in France? From what I can see in the small picture, your padded seat on the 2nd saddle looks great.