RichardCollmorgen

I'm working on a belt now and tried 3M clear packing tape for the first time. It doesn't want to stay stuck to the cased leather. I put it on dry. I was trying it because I usually use rubber cement to stick the leather to a piece of thin acrylic but it leaves a residue when I remove it. Any suggestions? Maybe my tape is not as sticky as it should be. I bought 3M to make sure that I was getting "good" tape.

Great saddle. I really like the color/antiquing. What kind of leather did you use and how did you finish it?

Congrats to your son. What is the TSYRA?

Very nice.

I love your work.

That is inspiring work.

Looks Great!

Looks great! I look forward to seeing it hanging on a horse at the NFR.

Gesa, I'll show that to my friend. She wants to change out the conchos as well so that may be an option. Everyone, I recently got the ingredients for the casing solution that everyone talks about on the forum. If I use that to case a small area for the initials will it discolor it at all? Should I just use pure water? Bruce mentioned ProCarve. Is there much difference between it and the homemade casing solution? Thanks, Richard

Thanks for the tips guys. That's what makes this forum so good for beginners like me. Richard

I've been asked to add initials to a ruff out saddle. Anybody have any tips for carving initials into a ruff out saddle? I was going to practice on some leather scraps.

Beautiful work. Richard

Excellent.

Looks fantastic.

Thanks Andy. I'll take the advice.

Looks great.

What is the best way to check a tree in a saddle? Should I pull the jockey and lift the seat to visually inspect it or can I stress it in a particular way and see if it gives? My nephew has a factory saddle by NRS. I suspect it has a fiberglass tree in it. His calf horse works well the first couple of runs each practice and then starts to quit working rope. A PRCA roper that he took a lesson from suggested that either the saddle might not be fitting well or the tree might be cracked.

I like it.

beautiful!

Happy birthday Alan. I'm only 5 years behind you.

How did you make the rivet domer? I can't visualize how to get a consistent curve on the tip.

Bruce explained how to use the rope tool in an earlier thread. He gave a great explanation.

Thanks Bruce. Have you ever seen any of his work? Thanks, Richard

Does anybody know anything about Clay Hammel (not sure of spelling)? He evidently has made some saddles for some of the top PRCA calf ropers. My nephew (a pretty good youth calf roper, if an uncle can brag) is dead set on having him build him a saddle.

On Bruce's advice from an earlier thread (thanks again Bruce), I've used Barges like he said and I've had good luck. I've only done five of them for nieces and a nephew but they have held up good.