jsutterby

If you have any of the Fastenal franchises, they should have them as well. I have gotten some small packages at Home Depot or Lowes.

JW, Have enjoyed looking at your work and watching your progress. Hope to get there myself one day. Couple questions if you don't mind... your swell lacing looks good- what have you used to learn the braiding? I have some Bruce Grant books and some others but haven't mastered it yet. Also, the horn wrap- is it dyed mulehide? I like the color. Thanks and keep up the good work. Jason

Bill moved a couple of years ago to near Highland, KS. It's just a ways north of Leavenworth up near the NE corner of KS. I took his 10-day saddle school in Denver in 2005. I found Bill to be a wonderful guy, likes to have fun and joke with you. A longtime teacher and a talented guy. Unfortunately the altitude exacerbated some of his health problems and he was getting short of air, plus a couple of first timers in the class and we didn't get our saddles finished in 11 days. I would imagine his one on one teaching would be very worthwhile. He is a one of a kind and has a wealth of info.

I see what you are saying, just seems like the majority I have looked at are done the other way. I may try some both ways on some chinks for my boys and see what we like.

Just throwing this out there for interchange of ideas. The leg closure method on chaps/chinks is something I have been working on, trying to find the best solution. I have built several pair and repaired quite a few, and seen everything from buckles/straps to snaps and rings to lace-up (step-ins). I want to start a pair of chinks soon and use buckles/straps for leg closures. Elton's green pair of arena chaps (posted in gallery) used this method and he was kind enough to PM me with his preferred method of attaching the straps using copper rivets (thanks Elton). Anybody else want to chime in with what they use and pros/cons? Here is one way I tried out one time- punched 1/2" bag slots vertically to match concho, strap went through and was bled through itself on the back side, the long end then pointed and holes punched for buckle tongue. Sorry I don't have a backside pic. I guess it is working- haven't heard any bad feedback yet. I think I will try Elton's method on the next pair. Thanks in advance- Jason

Very nice work! I have struggled with the method to attach the leg closure straps- can you show or explain the method you have used here? Great craftsmanship!

Same experience here. I have ordered from them several times in the past and it was typically quickly shipped, although they usually were out of one or more items. My last order was placed in the first week of Dec. First they lost my email, so I faxed it, then hadn't heard a word so I called a few days ago and was told many items were out/backordered and someone would call back to confirm details. Still haven't heard a word. It is disappointing to me, as a quick call or note would help let me know they care about the order. Hidecrafters has typically been out of some items when I order there as well. Maybe its just me, but it seems like this issue has gotten worse in the last couple of years.

In the Marketplace forum on this site, one of our members has a 16.5 inch Wade tree for sale, made by Superior. Might take a look. Depends on how high quality of a tree you desire, but I think I remember some have said on this board to contact Sheridan Leather Outfitters, as they stock a few of the better makers' trees. Look at a few of the saddle tree threads within the last month or so, lots of good info there.

Bruce pretty much covered it, the only thing I might add that seems to help me is to rough the surface up before applying the cement. There are commercial "roughers" you can purchase, or right now I get by using some 40 grit sandpaper to make sure the cement has lots of surface area to adhere to. Usually with flesh side to flesh side you would be ok, but it wouldn't hurt anything to try. Good luck-

Steve, As the others have said, your work is very nice. I was wondering if you could share the finishing technique you used on these projects? I like the color. Thanks, Jason