rktaylor

Wyoming Slick and others: Thanks for all the tips. I will use your instructions on my next project. I have a 104 tool and a couple other backgrounders. I need to practice beveling too, but that's for another day. I will try to pick up the Stohlman book next time I am in the City. Randy

Thanks for the tips. I think it was too wet. I understand 'bash' so that's what I'll do. Maybe I can even it out some.

This might not be the best place for this question, but I need some advice on using backgrounding tools. While this work is surrounding a letter, I need to improve for some floral carving as well. Thanks for any advice. Randy

Thanks for the lead. I will check them out.

Ron, Can you elaborate on the cantle not being square? Where did you measure from and where did you place the leather to compensate? It's this a common problem? Thanks, Randy

My guess is that the thread on the backside is going through the loop. This will make it run straight instead of the slight angle of the saddle stitch. I have to pay attention or it happens to me.

I saw a YouTube video with Bruce Cheaney where he was using Trencilo 1mm polyester braided thread. I searched for it to no avail. Does anyone know where to order it or something similar? Thanks, Randy

The correct site is www.musicmedic.com. I just checked and the maximum diameter is 0.1 inch. We'll see how it works. Randy

I think I found the one you used. I ordered one from musicwire.com. Randy

Thanks for all the tips on this. Since my dad is retired with nothing to do (haha), I have him making me an awl handle. Where did you get your pin vise? I have searched, but I cannot find one that is not already assembled. Randy

It is about 6 inches from the bar to the bottom of the rigging. I knew it was wrong because the latigo lump is right on my knee. Maybe I need longer legs. Oltoot - This won't be an issue on #2 because it will be an in-skirt rigging. However, I will pay attention to this in the future. I believe what happened was that I got the front of the rigging too high, because my rear dees are angled slightly up toward the front. Just another lesson to store for the future. Thanks for the comments. Randy

Does this placement look OK. I feel like I need more clearance on the skirt or have the rigging lower. It doesn't have that smooth transition that everyone talks about. Thanks, Randy

I know this is an old thread, but I didn't want to start a new one. Here’s my assessment of saddle making DVDs (at least two of them). It’s long, but I wanted to make sure you know where I am coming from. Some of it is about the videos and some is about my thought process regarding learning to build a saddle on your own. Comments, criticism, and apathy are welcome. I had been making some tack and got the grand idea that I wanted to build a saddle. I have spent very little time working on saddles (i.e. repair and deconstruction) and didn’t (still don’t) know much about them. I talked to a few saddle makers in my area. They were polite, but didn’t really have time for me and my grand idea. I can’t say as I blame them. However one saddle maker, Mr. Smithson at Pauls Valley, was very cordial and spent time offering advice and encouragement. I am grateful for his time. I wanted to go to a saddle making school, but I just don’t have the time. I have a full time job and don’t really have an interest in making this a career. However, it could be a nice hobby if I can find a way to pay for it. So, I bought Stohlman’s volume 1 and 2 and the Dusty Johnson package (DVD, book, patterns). I bought a tree from Batie’s, Herrmann Oak leather, sheep skin, and hardware from Panhandle Leather and Bowden’s. The entire process was an exercise in overconfidence and indecision. Some of the things that I thought would be the hardest were actually fairly easy and vice versa. I learned a lot and built a saddle. It certainly has some mistakes, but I have been riding it anyway. I don’t believe I could have built a saddle with only Mr. Johnson’s DVD. In my opinion the package is a must. While some will disagree with some of his methods, it did get me though the process. I would say the DVD contains the bare minimum of information (maybe a little less). One specific shortcoming is directions for installing the cantle binding. I had to reference the Stohlman books to figure out what to do with the ends under the seat. My assessment is that you get a little bit more than you pay for with the package. It is inexpensive, but there is a lot of information and I guess from my perspective enough to build a saddle. I will also say that Mr. Johnson promptly answered my email questions more than once. That was quite pleasing, given that he only had $80 of my money. After I was almost done, I found this forum. I appreciate the wealth of information that is freely shared. One piece of advice was to buy Jeremiah Watt’s DVD and gain a whole new perspective on saddle making. I was lucky enough to find a used copy for a discounted price. I prefer to consider myself frugal, not tight. After watching the first segment, I thought WOW. There is a wealth of information shared in this video. There are some commercials, but Mr. Watt is also entertaining. Looking back, I am confident I could have built a saddle with only Mr. Watt’s video. With the knowledge gained from building a saddle, the information in this video is very empowering. Though it is based on a Wade tree, I am confident that I can build a saddle on any tree simply because he goes through making patterns. There is no doubt that the JW video is much more detailed than the DJ video. However, it is really difficult for me to assess them independently because I had more knowledge when I viewed the Mr. Watt’s video. I definitely gained a new perspective after watching this video. I have to admit that I drilled all the holes in my first saddle (I hope the purists don’t put a bounty on me). However, after watching Mr. Watt’s video, I have a newfound commitment for hand sewing and using an awl. I can’t afford a sewing machine, so everything is hand sewn. I would never have thought it, but I actually think I can sew faster and more accurately with an awl than predrilling the holes. Thus I have justified the purchase of a new awl. I plan to pick up the Dale Harwood DVD when I find a deal. I am also looking to expand my book library. I would like to have volume 3 of the Stohlman series. But I will probably invest my limited resources in material for a second saddle before I buy more educational material. Congratulations if you made it this far (unless you just skipped to the end). Randy

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like I need to order a small assortment since I find myself working on a variety of items. I need to practice sewing, but I want to make sure I am using the correct tools. Randy

Ron, That looks really nice. The stitching is very uniform and I like the tooling. Keep the updates coming. Randy

Since I can't afford a sewing machine, I plan to buy a good awl. I am thinking about a Barry King handle and Osborne awls. I am wondering what size awl and needles I should get. I will use it for cantle bindings, skirts, etc. Thanks for any advice. Randy

David, Congrats on the first saddle. It really looks great. Maybe some of the experts can find some mistakes, but I couldn't. I want to build one on a Will James tree so I appreciate the chance to see yours. Do you have a shop in Fredonia? I haven't been through there in ages. I went to college with a guy who used to teach ag there. Randy

Thanks for sharing this idea. I think my is going to wonder where all the flatware went.

Ron, Thanks for the update. It looks like you are making some progress. The swell cover looks really clean over the top of the riggings. Some say they go over and some say they go under. Probably won't start a fight like the idea of all leather vs. metal strainers on a ground seat though. I just want to soak up as much information as possible so I can decide what I prefer. The first ride is not too far off. Probably closer than spring for you. Randy

Thanks Ron. I fixed the pattern.

I am drawing fender patterns by using the saddle I intend to use as a model. I understand that the fenders likely do not have their original shape. Should my fender pattern line up at the top and bottom? If so, which end is wrong? Thanks, Randy

Ron L: I got my first tree from Batie's Custom Tree in Welch, OK. I have read a lot of posts about trees since then. I thought the tree was alright, but saw better ones at the Wichita Falls Saddle Show. I guess you don't know what you don't know. Cost for me is still a factor. Saddle #2 will be similar to this barrel saddle. It is lightweight and comfortable. My wife and daughter fight over it (can't have that). I plan to order a BWBR tree from Batie's to start. I finished the JW video last night. It was very good and I think it will help me think through the design of this saddle. The saddle will just be for pleasure riding, so weight is a primary factor. Goldshot: Thanks very much for all your tips and comments. I find them extremely valuable. Synthesizing information from multiple sources is challenging, but necessary. Thanks for chiming in. Randy

That looks great. I appreciate getting to follow your progress. I am resisting the urge to jump into my second one. I need to have a good plan first, but I think I will order a tree tomorrow. Randy

RDL, Goldshot Ron said to buy theJeremiah Watt DVD and get e new perspective on saddle making. I watched the first 4 hours last night. The wife has plans tonight so I'll watch the second DVD. While it will take some time to absorb it all, it is very impressive. It's based on a Wade saddle, which I doubt I would build. However, the way he goes through the process, I think I could build anything. He really helps you understand how a saddle goes together. After I watch all of it, I will likely post a review on the DVD thread. Once I get my new drawdown stand and shop area done, I am starting on #2. Jeremiah says you should be working on at least two at the same time, but I am not sure I could cash flow that so I will stick with one at a time for now. Randy

I ordered a tree from Batie's last year and it took more than 10 weeks. They were always nice when I called, but were constantly putting me off (I think it will ship Friday). It was my first tree, so I didn't know what to expect. I was thinking about ordering another. If they're that far behind, I better get it placed.