rktaylor

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

I've been requested to make a set of bucking rolls for a Hope saddle. It will be my first project for hire. Based on this picture, I think I want to attach them where the red star is located. I could pull the nail behind that location, but I am not sure that is a good idea. I doubt it would go back in as tight as it is now. The saddle owner is fine with adding a screw to secure the rolls. I also want to make sure the rolls are mounted in front of the stirrup leather slot. That could mean making my own pattern. I have the patterns from the Tandy tack and accessory packet, but am seriously considering Jeremiah Watt's pattern and filler. Comments and advice are welcome. Randy

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to practice a little more this weekend. Maybe I should start a project to use it. Randy

I picked up a couple sizes of hourglass stamps at the Wichita Boot and Saddle Show. I marked the two horizontal lines, but just eyeballed the spacing. It's not too bad, but it could certainly be more even. I'm curious if anyone goes to the effort to mark the spacing. I appreciate any suggestions for creatively using this stamp. Thanks, Randy

Don, Those look great. I like the simplicity. Right or wrong, I always punch a small hole (#2 usually) at the other end of the slot for stress relief. Are they lined or just stitched for appearance? Randy

All, Thanks for all the advice and additional links. I thought I did a thorough search, but I missed that post. It will be a western headstall and Big Sioux was on the mark with my desired style. The photo was a practice piece, though I'll probably go with a smaller concho and add a rosette. That concho was just what I had on hand and I wanted to see what it looked liked. This ended up a little short of 9 inches, but not much. It is 1 inch wide at the bit end, which might be a little wide. I am going to charge ahead with this design. It's an easy piece to remake if I don't like it. Thanks again, Randy

Billy, That's really nice. I have been meaning to make a strap for me, but haven't got to it. Now a neighbor wants a custom guitar strap, so I am doing some research. Thanks for sharing. Randy

I am working on a pattern for a new headstall and have seen some comments on here regarding buckle placement on the cheek. All my store bought headstalls have the buckle above the eye or maybe too close to it (image 02) and measure around 10-11" from the buckle center to the fold at the bit. I know I want to keep the buckle away from the horse's eye. Is it better to place it lower like image 01? I have the Stohlman pattern pack that says the cheek piece should be 12" long. My guess is that the final dimension when folded through the bit and buckle is somewhere around 7-8" (buckle center to the fold at the bit). What's a good finished length for the cheek piece? I want to make a good generic pattern. The first photo in this post is the style I am considering. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=56673 Thanks, Randy

Keith, It sounds like I am on the right track, just way behind the leaders. I certainly have some patterns that I like and some that would make good fire starters. Any news on the DVD from Sheridan? Randy

Ron and Bob, Thanks for the insight. I guess I am doing something similar. I just want to make sure I have a good set of patterns for what I want to build so that I can use my leather as efficiently as possible. That assumes I minimize my mistakes which has been a challenge. Randy

I've been busy expanding my leather working area and adding some climate control. I am not sure what my first project in the new area will be, but this question has been in the back of my mind for awhile. I notice in Jeremiah Watt's video that he has a lot of patterns hanging in his shop. Do you professional saddle makers have base patterns for each style of saddle you want to build? I think I am not using my leather very efficiently since I am drawing some of my patterns as I go. Otherwise it seems I need to cut the pieces extra large to make sure I have enough for the final piece. Again, this makes my waste a little higher. I appreciate the cantle back pattern that Keith shared and will likely use it again. I wish I could have attended his workshop in Sheridan, but am hopeful there will be a DVD. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Randy

I know what you mean. I struggle too, but it's all about the chase. Good luck finding one. I have enjoyed following your progress. Randy

Billy, It looks fairly simple to draw. You're going to half to learn to draw it sometime, why not now? I might give it a try when I get a new project going. Randy

Congrats on finishing the first one. It looks nice. I like the laces on the back of the swell cover, but would like to see a few close up photos. I'm always looking for ideas to copy. Randy

Nate, I built my first saddle with little to no instructional material. My thought process was similar to yours. I learn by doing. That said, I would not wish that experience on anyone. Now I have JW's video, Volume 1 and 2 of Stohlman's, Dusty Johnson's package, Harry Adams' book and John Hooper's book. Harry Adam's book is the first place I look when I have a question. Stohlman's books are second. I need to pick up volume 3. With three saddles completed, I am far from an expert (but that hasn't stopped me from chiming in). My advice is to really think about your ground seat. You can hide a lot of mistakes, but this isn't one of them. It doesn't matter whether it's all leather or a tin strainer. Your going to do a lot of head scratching and staring into space, but you will be pleased in the end. And you'll probably be thinking about your second saddle and half way through this one. Good luck. I am looking forward to following your journey. Randy

Adam, I was just curious how you mounted it. Thanks for linking that thread. I haven't seen it in awhile and it's good info. Randy

Well done Adam. While I assume the pins are easier than an exposed stitch line. Regardless you did a nice job on them. I like the in-skirt rigging. Can you post a picture of the rear dee? Is it hand or machine stitched? Thanks, Randy

I like it. What's your dye/antique and finish? Randy