Dually

Nice shop Amigo. East Washington huh? We're practically neighbors.

So this is where those masterpieces are turned out. I'd like to have just a little of the mojo those tools must have. Nice lay out friend.

Howdy Ray...and all, Here is my ranch truck, and daily driver in the summer. Stood in the rain this am for the pics. lol Its mostly stock and fun to drive. No rifle though, guess I gotta work on that.[at tachment=21822:2009_03030004.JPG]

Tina, your work is awsome as usual...I really like this piece, but my comment is about your photography. Very nice, very pro. I could stand to learn more about that end of things as well.

Very nice explanation of your process. I decided to offer mine if it were coming from my shop. 1. Pattern…1 hour of head scratching and coffee drinking 2.Cutting the pieces ( 45 minutes cause my dang knife is dull) 3.Cutting pieces again cause I slipped on the last cut and ruined it 45 minutes 4.Assembly and sewing…aw crap……..couple hours or so 5. Wet forming and molding…2 hours cause I got it too wet 6. Hardware attachment…30 minutes 7.Dying, oiling, and finishing …more coffee please…2 hours Total time: 9 hours ( bear in mind I took time out for band aids) Total materials: 3 sq feet of what ever I had laying around, 8 snaps cause I never get them set right the first time, Gas to run to Tandy for more snaps $20.00 Estimated cost $100.00 Production?? Are you kidding? Should go out the door at about $30.00 Total profit: -$70.00 I think I’ll just buy yours LOL

Hey Julia, Bob used to have tons of marbled chap sides. I never cared too much for them, and at one time it seemed it was about all he had. Wonder who his source is? I've even helped unpack them, but I can't recall a label.

My current full time position is shoveling and plowing snow just to get to the barn and back. LOL My last employer unexpectedly culled me from the herd last year after 20 years, so now I'm just starting colts and helping problem horses. And leatherwork of coarse.

Also another great example of your "wood" tecnique. Don't know how you achieve it exactly, but its cool. I always get something from your work. Thanks for sharing.

Hey Bruce, I'll echo Randy's question, and take it a step further...would you share the steps to make a rope bag? Seems simple enought to you pro guys, but, I'm learning everything as I go, and its a HUGE learning curve.LOL As I've shared with you before Bruce, to complicate things further, I only have a flatbed machine, although its a good one (Artison), it does limit me some.

Hi Bruce, I hope this does'nt sound patronizing, or that your stuff was anything but great before, but your work just seems to keep evolving and getting better and better! I really admire your work. I especially like the memorial piece. Very nice. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Randy

Thanks to all for you nice comments. This place can sure humble a fella, but its nice to get nice feedback. Happy hollidays Randy

Awsome work Randy! This is something I'd really like to tackle. Don't even know where to start LOL. Good inspiration though. Merry Christmas

Thanks Kathy, the first pic is a CD case. Yes the snow is great in a christmas card, but, just makes more work for those of us with horses or livestock. Oh Well.

]Merry Christamas from the great northwest where we have 3 feet of snow. Here are some recent projects for X-mas. I learn from all of you daily, (and copy shamelessly). Thank you all for the inspiration. I find that its a long journey to get to where so many of you are. [

Came across an older post about shops. Mine is fairly humble,and not nearly as productive as you guys' but here's where I putter, and do my damage. Have'nt ever posted pics before, and everyone says its a challenge, but I'll try... If I did this right, I also added a knife I made this year, because my Stohlman wouldn't seem to sharpen.

Chrystal, Very awesome layout and carving, (I get tired just thinking about it LOL) but what got my attention is the fit. I have made a lot of these and one challenge I face is getting the ends to butt up perfectly and the design to carry from one side to the other seamlessly. Obviously this isn't a problem for you. Questions if you don't mind sharing: Do you glue as well as lace? And for fine carving like this, what blade are you using?

its as light as it looks, it would make a good colt saddle as well. Can I ask how much it weighs? I really like the rigging on this saddle as well. Really nice saddle!

Marlon, Very nice piece! I was kind of shocked to learn that it is all hand stitched. I have a pretty decent machine, and my sewing still doesnt look that good.LOL Very impressive.

Bruce, thanks for the reply, I'll try wetting and see what happens. And... I will take this opportunity to add that your new site is great.

Hi All, I have a sort of related question for all of you. My daughter was awarded a saddle (Billy Cook) for being a local rodeo queen. I've been asked to do the stamping, but am not sure what the factory finish probably is. The fenders are not tooled, so can I suspect that they are oiled then tancoated? Even so, should I just wet from the back? I don't want to water stain the stamped area. Doe's my question make sense? I imagine this comes up for you guys from time to time. Thanks in advance for your input. OH...And can I get away with using black sharpie for the letters if I again tancoat over it? Its a nice enough saddle, and I sure don't want to bugger it up. LOL

Howdy Timbo, would you mind sharing how you cover the cap of the canteen. I've done many canteens, but never the caps. Thanks

Schno...You may have neglected to mention that you are a wood craftsman ans well as leather artist. I think most of us thought you were leaning toward a couple of sawhorses and plywood. LOL What you came up with in design, and construction is way cool Congrads. If you don't mind, enlighten us as to how you reinforced the bench under your slab so you could inset it. Thanks for the pics.

Very nice Bruce. At what stage did you do the dark color on the cross and lower legs? I have never tried leathersheen as a pre- stain. I am going to try that hiliter, it looks great. Thanks! Randy

I, like everyone here am in awe of the scroll work, but I am equally impressed with the braiding on the front flap. I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but...very cool. Shoot, I'd just be happy to be able to build the basic bag that nice!

Hi Steve, I bought the Artison 618-1 sc LTHR this past year, and trully like it. My last machine struggled with yokes and side panels on chaps, where this one never hesitates. The servo motor with the reducer has lots of torque, but as slow as I need to be. It even makes my stitching look good. LOL Randy