keplerts

Thanks, TomG. That sounds pretty simple and I'll give it a try. Thanks also, ChriJ, Don't have any syringes. But, that way would probably work well too.

Just got a couple Tandy Re-fillable Dye pens and was wondering how you fill them? There are NO instructions. Do you just pour the dye in to the top of the pen? Looks like this will be a messy job! Any help would be great! Tom

The saddle skirting I have bought has been very nice. Matt, the salesman is very helpful. Give them a try.

American Leather Direct has Veg tan bellies for $12 right now.

Okay, I called and talked to Shawn about the LaPorte trees. He was very willing to answer all my questions explaining some of the differences between the two. I decided to order a Laporte tree over the Chicago Stock yard tree. Getting the Association tree with cable rigging, 3 X 3 horn, 12 inch swells, 15 1/2" seat, 5" x 12 1/2" cantle in Quarter horse bars. Lead time is about 3 weeks. This will be my first saddle so I'm really excited to get started! Tom

Okay, Thanks a lot! I am going to give them a call tomorrow.

Ron, Thanks for your input. I will give Double H a call. Do both brothers work out of Double H? Thanks, again for your response. I really appreciated it. Tom

So, no one has used these trees or has any opinion between the two?

You are right Jeff, I should earmark some time. I would love to SEE what I'm getting before I actually get it!

I'm about 35 miles from Altoona and 35 miles to State College. I will just have to make time and check W/C out in person.

Troy I, Yes, Wickett & Craig has nice leather for sure. I live about 72 miles from them (not that far). But I can never seem to find the time to drive up (work two jobs and have my leather shop). And when I need something it is easier to just order it from a supplier where I don't have to wait 2-3 weeks to get it. Someday, I will make them a visit! Tom

Are the Poly-Tuff trees by Laporte and the Chicago Stockyard trees the same tree? Are they made out of the same material? Is ones Association tree the same as the other? Why would I buy one over the other or is there no difference between the two? I have a customwer who is interested in me making them a saddle with the cable rigging but didn't know if one was better then the other or are they physically the same? Any insight is appreciated. Thanks, Tom

Thanks, I'll do a couple test pieces before I do the real thing. Thanks again!

Thanks. The project I'm working on now needs to be a tan color and that looks pretty close to what I need.

Boriqua, What color / brand is that last wallet? Tan, saddle tan???? Thanks!

CraftyNick, Yes, I meant to say: "if it does NOT say Hermann Oak or Chahin" it is the imported leather. Thanks for catching my mistake! I bought a double shoulder of the 6-7 oz imported stuff (because they don't carry double shoulders in the HO or Chahin brands) and I fought constantly with my sharp swivel knife to get my tooling pattern cut in. I had to strop the blade (and I'm not kidding) after every 3" to 4" inches of carving. Now I'm just hoping the dye I plan to use will turn out the way I need it to. But, I'm not holding my breath on this going smoothly.

Thanks, That is kind of what I thought. I just thought it was funny to see "U.S. Hides". I work part time at a Farm Supply/Harness shop and they just got some "Water Buffalo" belt blanks in. The sticker on the blank says country of origin: U.S. America!

I see Weaver Leather is selling Water Buffalo hides at a decent price. In the product description they say they come for U.S. Hides! Is there a "Water Buffalo" farm in the US or "Wild" ones roaming around that I haven't heard of? I guess I just found this interesting when they said from U.S. Hides. Or is it cow hide that they named Water Buffalo?

American Leather Direct tans US steer hides in Mexico under the Chahin tannery. This is NOT the economy stuff. I have bought from them many times and I must say the leather is very nice. I always bought their #1 grade. The leather has a softer temper then Hermann Oak and it cuts, tools, and dyes really well. I really like their skirting leather. Weaver Leather does sell Chahin leather in Tannery Run grade ONLY. If leather at Weaver does say Hermann Oak or Chahin, it is some south American/Brazilian imported/economy leather that cuts/tools very poorly. But over all, I thinks ALD's Chahin leather is a great buy. Tom

Was the leather WET or DRY when you transferred it? Looks like it held up during the wet forming of the pistol.

I'm getting ready to build my first saddle and ordered Harry Adams shop manual. I have had the Stohlman series for a few years now but want to get some other makers perspective. I am really excited to get this project going. But, what I really wanted to say is how wonderful the service was in purchasing this. I filled out the order form from their website and they shipped it right out and I had it in two days (they are in Utah or Idaho - I live in PA). Got email notifications from the start. I have only skimmed through it and I'm very impressed by the content. I like the fact that he teaches you to make you own patterns based on the tree you are using. I am sure by using the information in the Stohlman books and this one from Harry, my first saddle making experience will be a good one! This is the kind of service I really appreciate! Tom

I just made a wallet using 1.5 - 2 oz pig skin. For the exterior I glued two pieces of the pig skin together to make a 3-4 oz piece. I then just used the single ply pig skin for the interior. I am finishing up the final finish and will post some pictures when it is dry. The wallet seems sturdy but flexible. On another wallet I made I used 4-5 oz for the exterior and pig skin for the lining and it seems a little ridged and bulky. I think I am going to try some kip skin or some calf for my next one. Tom

+1 for Rocky Mountain Leather Supply. Quick, fast service!

Nice job, Bob! I like American Leather Direct as well. Their saddle skirting has a softer temp then Hermann Oak and it tools really well. Turns a nice golden russet color when oiled. Tom