rktaylor

Colt, I was wrong. The head is 2.5" diameter and 3" long. The maul weighs 18.8 ounces. The delrin (acetyl copolymer) has really stood up to use. I'll post a picture when I can. It's very crude compared to yours, but it's better than a rock. Randy

Remember, the 3" piece is more than twice the volume of a 2" diameter piece so it's twice as heavy. I certainly don't want it to be heavier. I can get some details (dimensions, weight, and c.g.) and photo in the coming week if you are interested, but you are well ahead of me in the game. I really like what you are doing. Randy

Colt, I made one with 3 inch delrin (I don't remember the generic name) for the head and a walnut handle. I put a carriage bolt through the whole thing. It's not as nice as yours, but I have next to nothing in it and it has worked great for me. I've been using it for over a year now. I need to weigh it just for reference. Thanks for sharing all this. I'm almost inspired enough to build another one. Almost. Randy

That's a really nice looking saddle. I can't bring myself to sew 7 stitches an inch. I'm at 5 now and I know it would be better. Hat's off to you for taking the extra effort. Randy

I'm rebuilding this kid's saddle (11 inch seat) that belongs to a friend. This is my first attempt at an all leather ground seat. I am not completely pleased with it now, but maybe that inexperience. I think it needs more leg cut so I thought I would seek some advice. It's easier to take it off than put it back. It currently has three pieces of leather and I am planning to put the last piece on this week. Comments or suggestions are welcome. Randy

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I got off high center and bought a 3.5x Optivisor. My knife edges don't look so sharp through it. The 4" focal length will take some adjustment time. I am going to buy other magnification lenses, but I'll use this for awhile first. Randy

Ron, Great job on the saddle. I wish I were good enough to offer a critique. Is the stitching on the latigo holder decorative or is it two layers of leather? Either way it looks nice. Randy

Thanks for the added comments. I really admire Julia McCormack's saddles, so I was thinking about a 3B. My daughter wanted a swell fork and vetoed the buck rolls right off. Evidently, I am not a good salesman. Bob, I am sending her the picture of your C.S. Roper. Oltoot, I had planned to call and ask about trees. You have inspired me to do it sooner rather than later. Randy

Big Sioux and Denise, Thanks for the feedback. My daughter is a young woman of average build, so I am not sure I need the tree scaled down (unless I don't understand what you mean). While weight is certainly a factor, it's not as high on her list as it was for her mom. I personally like the AZ Roper, but she might think it looks too much like my Will James. I like the slope on the Packer and Louellen forks. Just a little more to think about. BTW Denise, I hope your web site stays intact or at least archived. If not, let me know so I can download a bunch of your material. Randy

I am getting ready to build a saddle for my daughter. It will be used for general trail riding. This will be my fourth saddle and I am looking for tree suggestions. The saddles I have built are: SF Bowman with a flat plate rigging BWBR with an in-skirt rigging Will James with a flat plate I would like to do something a little different (but probably not much) just to learn something new while also practicing some of my weak points. Per her request, it should have some swells and probably a 4" cantle. Suggestions are appreciated, Randy

Keith, Did anything ever come of the video? It would be a nice addition to my collection. Randy

Thanks for the tips. I figure that I'm replacing both of them either way. I'm going to call him tomorrow with these options. It's not a show saddle, but he probably paid a month's wages for it when he was younger. Randy

I need to replace the left side d-ring on this saddle. It is attached with a rawhide loop and a copper rivet. I don't have to use rawhide for the replacement, but it would be nice since the saddle has a rawhide cantle binding and horn wrap. Whether I reattach it with leather or rawhide, I need to replace the copper rivet. I was thinking about cutting a tiny hole in the fleece lining to get to the back of the rivet and then stitching it up when I am done. Am I way off base here? How is the best way to make this repair? Thanks for any advice. Randy

Art, Thanks for the quick reply. I think I would prefer the visor, but the watchmaker loupes look pretty reasonable. Maybe I should just get one for a good price and learn from there. Randy

All the talk about sharpening and loupes has motivated me to buy some. I know I can do a better job sharpening with loupes and was also thinking about using them when tooling. Can I get one magnification that would work for both? I currently wear some 2x reading glasses to do these tasks (and read). I ma thinking about a 5x pair for starters. Any tips on the best place to buy them? Thanks to Art for starting and moderating this forum. Randy

Nice work Bob.

Sharon, No worries on missing the post and I welcome the comment on the rolls. I would say they are adequate, but certainly not impressive. However, the customer was pleased. I did make a practice bucking roll and agree that after a few more, I could improve. However, I may never make another set. If I do, they will probably have a welt. There are so many things I need to practice making, that if I did I would never get anything else made. I have read your comments on 'rounds' before and have read some of Stohlman's instructions. That's something I should practice. Thanks for the input and advice. Randy

I opted not to get the JW pattern and filler. Instead I modified the Tandy pattern. This is how they turned out. Comments are appreciated. Randy

Those are fantastic. I thought about showing them to my wife, then thought better of it. I have enough on my plate right now. I have Bob's book as well and give it high marks. Thanks for sharing your work. Randy

Thanks for the tips. I bought some at Lowe's that will get me through this project, but I think they are a little flimsy. A box of 100 should last me for a long time. Randy

That looks great and I agree this section needed a new post. Thanks for sharing. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product. Randy

Does anyone know a good supplier for brass finish washers? I can find them online, but was looking for some verification of quality. Thanks, Randy

Very nice Wrangler. It makes me want to start another one. Randy

Thanks

Here's the finished product. A lot of hand sewing, but it was a welcome distraction from my day job. Fold to fold is 9 inches. Randy