rktaylor

Yetibelle and Big Sioux, Thanks for the comments. That's the type of information I am needing. Randy

I am getting really close to taking the plunge and purchasing a sewing machine. Thus I am looking for some advice on features. I don't want to start a debate on pros/cons of manufacturers, I just want to know the right questions to ask. I am making saddles (working on the 5th) and tack mostly, but may use it for other items that I didn't want to make because I have been hand sewing everything. I am guessing that the thickest item I plan to sew is saddle skirts. It seems to me that 1/2" of clearance is not enough, but I just don't know. What about arm length/diameter? Needle and thread size is something I have not studied. Are there any upgrades or extras that I should consider? Any advice is appreciated. Randy

Ron, Nice rig. Clean and balanced. I am glad to see you are finding time to work on saddles. If I remember correctly, this one has been in the works for a while. Randy

Josh, Congrats on getting another one completed. I share your agony on the mistakes. It's tough to let some go when you know it could be better. I just ordered more leather for a swell cover that I couldn't live with. Thanks for sharing. I like looking at other folks work. Randy

John, If I had a splitter, I would take it down to about 10 oz. However that's just a gut feeling on my part as I have no experience other than twisting 13/15 oz stirrup leathers. Randy

Thanks Denise, I hope things are going well up north. Randy

No one has a story to share?

This is just my opinion and I am certainly not an expert. First, I think your pattern is too wide for the belt. The flowers run into the border. While you could probably make that work, they look crowded to me. Personally, I like the swirling flow that is typical of Sheridan tooling. Your design has 'hints' of that style, but it is also kind of linear. My suggestion is to consider the individual elements (leaves, scrolls, flowers, etc.) and how they flow together. Just my opinion. Take it for what it cost you. Randy

John, I replaced the dee in its original position. I cut a small slot in the fleece (synthetic) just large enough to let me work. It was less than an inch. This allowed me to get the old rivet out and gave me enough room to work on the new one. Then I used some contact cement to glue the fleece to the skirt. I thought about sewing the fleece, but figured it wouldn't really help anyway. It was a pretty simple job. Randy

I am starting to build a saddle on a Howard Council tree from Quality Mfg. I have researched Mr. Council a little, but am interested in learning more. Any information is appreciated, but of particular interest are his trees. Most of the ropers who have one of his saddles are very complimentary of it's fit and function. Does anyone know if he built his own trees? It looks like there is a Quality tree in the background of a video about him. Thanks in advance, Randy

Well done. It looks fantastic. Randy

That looks nice. I think you'll like the shorter one also. Randy

Thanks Bob. That makes more sense. One more thing to learn. CaptQuirk, Yes I built the saddle. There are more pictures in the saddle gallery under "Small Ranch Saddle." Randy

Bob, Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't quite understand it. What do you mean by halo? Can you attempt to clarify? Thanks, Randy

Both sides are wrinkled the same, so it's balanced. Thanks for the comments.

Thanks Billy, My buddy picked up the saddle today. I can't wait to see pictures of his grandkids riding pasture with him. Randy

Thanks Ron. I need to buy a sewing machine. Good point Oltoot. I suppose I was being generous with the term. Randy

I rebuilt (used the tree) this saddle for a friend. He had a worn out saddle and wanted a little ranch saddle for his grandkids. The seat is 11" and he made the stainless steel stirrups for the saddle. He also wanted a basket weave, but I talked him into letting me add the oak leaves. Let me know what you think. Randy More pics

It's not floral, but I would entertain comments or critiques. Randy

Ron, Thanks for sharing. I've been thinking about something like the first two. That gives me some great ideas. Randy

I'm looking for some creative ways to attach the bit to a headstall. I don't want to use Chicago screws. I like the looks of this blood knot, but I don't think it will work on my next headstall. I dreamed up this choice, which is just a piece of latigo with a small hole punched through one end. I don't know if it beats tying a knot in it. Any ideas or examples of other options? Thanks, Randy

Hannah, I have not used the kit, but I think you will need three sides to account for the learning curve on a first saddle. I would also make sure the hardware with the kit matches with the saddle you want to build. I also suggest determining the source of the patterns. They may not match what you want to build, thus you will end up drawing your own patterns anyway. Randy

Hannah, You have already received a lot of good advice. I am not very far ahead of you on the trail. I am putting the finishing touches on my fourth saddle in about three years. So far for me, it has just been a fun hobby and like Big Sioux said it can be tough to find uninterrupted time to work on it. I have a tree waiting to start my fifth. Maybe I'll have it done before summer. For what it's worth, here's my advice for a first timer (in no particular order). 1. Build a slick fork. I put three welted swell covers on my second saddle before I was happy whereas it only took one on the SF Bowman I built first. 2. Buy three sides of good leather. This should be enough and as oltoot once told me, 'Build a scabbard with the leftover material." If you are particular about your work, you will make some mistakes that you want to do over. I had the same thoughts that you had regarding cheaper leather, but a third of your cost will probably be in the tree. Why cover it up with cheap leather. 3. Try to draw as many of your patterns as possible before you start cutting leather. All the folks who make saddles for a living have walls of patterns and that makes it easier to efficiently use a side of leather. I personally like Saddle Maker's Shop Manual by Harry Adams. It has really good instructions for drawing patterns. 4. Build a good ground seat. You can cover it up, but you can't hide it. Study this as much as possible. I personally think shape is infinitely more important than construction method (but remember, I am no expert). 5. Educate yourself as much as possible, but try to follow one set of instructions as best you can. Just as there are many ways to do it wrong there are also many ways to do it right. It's just that some of the different methods may not go together well. There's going to be a lot of head scratching and staring into space. Take a deep breath and study some more, post pictures and questions here. Responses usually come quick. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning to build saddles and continuing to learn. Enjoy the ride, Randy

I'm afraid I can't confirm that. Since I posted this, I had a friend tell me he used to stop by Baldo Hill's shop near Wellston, OK (which is west of Chandler as mentioned above). Wellston is along Route 66 just NW of OKC, so it is in the same general area. However, the different maker's mark would make me wonder. Randy

I have Bob Park's Western Floral Design and highly recommend it. There are other books more specific to Sheridan, but I don't have any of those. Randy