George B

Howdy, my name is George Bowers. Graduated from the Montana Horseman Saddle School in Belgrade Montana last year in Feb. Studied with Dale Moore who has been saddle building for 50 years. What a great teacher! Learned saddle building in the old Wyoming tradition and continue to learn everyday. I have been dabbling in various leatherwork from collars to custom western saddles, custom saddles being my main interest. I currently have a website (I'll warn you now, I'm not a computer whiz) www.poppingrock.com And yes, that's me from many, many years ago.

Thank you all. This pair was redone on the same stirrups I did in school, let's just say there is a little difference. I do have some pages and pics on my website I took while doing a Chestnut wide gullet Reiner. http://www.poppingrock.com/how%20to%20build%20a%20saddle.htm

Finished another set of leather covered stirrups. Was taught to cut, stitch, then wet and forced down onto the stirrup. Hands and elbow take a beating but it forms good an tight. This also allows me to place all the neck hardware on the outside of the leather instead of behind the leather where it is not accessable for easy repair or changing. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen covered stirrups that the nut has come loose behind the leather and cost as much to repair as to replace.

I have a heavy stitcher for my saddle work and heavy leather work...but... I need a machine to do the lighter leather, chaps, chinks, bucking rolls and decroative stitching on seats and such. Unfortunately I cannot afford a Juki 8700 new or used, but I still need a machine, used, in good condition at an affordable price? Any suggestions? Any machines I can find at auctions or second hand stores? Thanks for any help.

Hey Reddevil, A year ago at school we used the best grade Hermann Oak it cut like iron but otherwise worked out great. after school, bought a couple of sides and the waste around the neck was real bad. I measured at almost 1/2" thick and could not beused, about 7 square feet. Before ordering my Seigel I talked with my teacher, he had the same problem with hermann Oak, he tried W&C but had the same problems I did, Real fast drop off in thickness, hollow spots, soft spots and some that was fine until you stamped it and it turned fuzzy. After recieving my sides from Seigel I contacted him and he was ordering some himself to try. The flesh side is firm with very little fuzzy matting, texture is good and firm and the thickness seems to be more uniform. The finished side has marks from shipping, just some shiny spots and such but not much in the way of holes or bad spots. It is the same color as the HO I have been using, they cal if a California tan. I'll have to let all know how it cuts and tools.

I have used Hermann Oak and W&C, both seem to have developed some problems. The school I went to also said they were looking for a new leather supplier, waste and quality being the biggest problems for HO and W&C. I just recieved an order for a new saddle from Seigel of Calif. Looks good, like older Hermann Oak and huge sides. They offer free shipping in the US but I'm sure about Canada, you would have to contact them. Their leather is tanned by W&C using a different veg. tanning proccess. $169 a side for heavy skirting leather which included free shipping via UPS. The chaps/seat leather was great for the sale price.

I use the Tandy "Tejas" Florentine lace on saddles and such in a 3/16" and right now Tandy has it on sale at something like 14 or 15 dollars for 25 yards in white. Just ordered some in black and natural for 18 bucks a roll.

Well hello to all. Just became a member, browsing through the topics and having a blast! here's a pic of my 3rd saddle I just completed. It's amazing what you learn after you're on your own, every saddle gets better!