keplerts

Josh, Thanks for the info. I did find the hardware at Weaver's. I have the Stohlman books and think the rigging gauge is quite the contraption. I saw the rigging gauge in Dusty's video as well. I don't have his book and was wondering if he goes into any detail of making the gauge or how to use it. Do you have his book and does he explain the gauge? I am repairing an old saddle and want to replace the rigging but I'm afraid I won't get the in equal positions when I install them. It just seems as there should be and easy method to line them up. I can't picture the "strings, tapes, and levels" method in my head. Thanks, Tom

Jinxed, I have the Stohlman books as well and think they are really good. I'm wanting to build my first saddle so I've been making the patterns from the books. They are VERY detailed. I prefer books over video because it is so easy to pick the book up and read, ponder, and re-read. They only video I have seen is the one from Dusty Johnson. It is OK and at least l could see some of the techniques used in builder a saddle. I also would like to build a half-breed saddle at some point and have been looking at places to get the trees. Here is a link to a tree maker in Australia. The tree looks great and has the aussie stirrup attachment. Check it out. http://www.symmetrytrees.com Tom

Wow, very nice! Looks like you are doing a great job. The wife will be very happy. I'm new to the saddle making scene and was wondering if that is a flate plate rigging? I like the hardware, where did you get that? Also, how did you align the rigging plates? Did you use the Stohlman rigging gage. I don't have a gage so I've been dragging my feet to starting a saddle of my own. Again, it is really looking nice and I can't wait to see how you progress. Sorry for so many questions. Tom

I thought I would maybe try some roping. But mostly I would be doing team penning and sorting, trail riding, and some Extreme Cowboy racing. After reading some on your web site and blog I know this tree is NOT one I would want to be using for that kind of riding. Again, thanks for your insight.

Thanks for the reply, Denise! You are correct! What I have appears to be the Steele Flex Tree. The only difference from the one in your blog is that mine has a built-in ground set. Do you think the would make the bars less flexible? I sat in on mine two wide back, low whithered Arabians and didn't think it fit them very well. I really want to make my own all-round ranch saddle and when they gave me this tree I thought great! But, I guess you really do get what you pay for ) Thanks again for your insight and quick, informative reply. Tom

Is Tan Kote and Bag Kote the same thing? If not, what is each one used for? What are the advantages/disadvantages? Thanks, Tom

My local tack shop gave me a saddle tree yesterday that I never heard of before. I am hoping someone on here knows something about it. The maker is: AQL..... at least that is what is written on the tree. The swell and cantle are fiberglass covered wood and the bars are a black resin or plastic that flex. So I'm guessing it is a flex tree. I did a search for AQL trees but found nothing. Over all it seems to be a decent tree. Any info would be great! Thanks, Tom

Thanks! I really appreciate it. I'll take a look....... Thanks, again

Which books are better? The Stohlman ones or would the one by Dusty Johnson help me more? Thanks, Tom