BrushyHillGuide

Thanks for the replies, guys! I'm price shopping right now because it's hunting season and I have tips coming in. I'm going to come back and get some more advice once I put a grand aside.

I'm considering buying my first sewing machine and there are some Adler machines listed on Craigslist. Just wondering if they're good machines? Prices vary from $700-$1k with tables. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks OldTimer! I may just take you up on that offer; but I'm going to keep looking for a while around here to see if I can find a local source. Thanks so much! Anyone else know anywhere here in the US?

I'm wanting to make some new collars for our blood tracking dogs at the ranch and I need to find some swivel rings - either D rings mounted on a swivel or circular rings mounted on a swivel, preferably brass. I know they are made because there are collars made with them; but I haven't been able to find a source to buy a few. Does anyone know where I can find some? The attached picture shows one on a collar. Thanks to anyone who replies! Nick P.S. Does anyone, by chance, have any patterns (shape/design, not carving pattern) for blood tracking collars?

I've been advised to start braiding with paracord so I went to Ubraidit.com to order a couple of spools and they're essentially out of spools. I'm just wondering if anyone has a good resource for buying some? There are a lot of different cords out there and I want to make sure I get the right stuff. I found some cord in one of our barns and I've been playing with it but it's really stiff stuff (with a core) and I've been advised to get some softer stuff. Anyone? Nick

Thanks Mike! It actually helps. As long as I can use a rounder to get the size I want, that's good. I'm still a LONG way from starting but I'm trying to figure out enough stuff to work towards doing a set. Nick

Thanks for the info, guys! If I want to use a braided rawhide core, how do I calculate the width of the strands to acheive the size core that I want? Nick

I'm wanting to try braiding a set of roping reins and I'm going to use kangaroo. I'm wondering what to use as a core and where to get it? I'm assuming I should use some sort of rope, like climbing rope? What sort of diameter is typical/commonly used for reins? Where's a good place to order what're you suggest? Nick

So, I was reading in Grant's book, "How To Make Cowboy Horse Gear" because I'm interested in braiding a set of reins for myself. I had planned to use kangaroo hide (with rawhide decorative knots) but Grant was also talking about rawhide reins. What I'm wondering is, how are rawhide reins made soft? I mean, I always thought that rawhide dried out hard and that this stiffness was sort of the point of using it! So, how is it that a set of rawhide reins can be braided so that they are supple enough - is the rawhide treated with something before braiding? Nick

If I'm doing ring knots and buttons with rawhide, do I need to bevel and split it? Or, if I use precut rawhide string from Tandy (I have sone 3/32), do I need to split it or bevel it or is it ready to use? I know that once I get to working on round braids with kangaroo I WILL need to have a Splitter and a beveler to do it right, though. Just wondering if I need to hurry and invest while I'm learning the ring and button knots I want to do with rawhide? Nick

Bryan- Is that PeeJay's beveler? I dunno why but it looked a little different to me. Nick

OK, if I'm going to get going on this (braiding rawhide and kangaroo), I'm going to have to invest in a splitter and a cutter/beveler, right? Can I get some recommendations on what to get? I don't want/can't afford to go out and get the most expensive ones out there, but I know enough that I need to get something good. So, can I get some options from y'all to look at - that won't totally break the bank? Nick

Thanks!

I'm thinking about ordering Bryan Neubert's "introduction to Braiding Rawhide" video because I'm struggling with learning the basic braiding knots from books. Has anyone seen the video? What I'm looking for is a step-by-step video demonstration of the basic knots so that I can pause the video at each step and do it myself. The video is pretty expensive and I hate to order it before I know if it's something that will really help me get started. Do you think this video would be really helpful to get me started? Thanks to all that reply! Nick

What weight leather do y'all use for spur straps? I'm new and learning and I was told the leather I used for my first pair is a little too light. I used a 5-6oz veg tanned leather. I am working on a second pair that's 9oz. But I'm wondering what people who KNOW what they're doing are using? Nick