rcsaddles

I have a good friend that sent five mule halters home with me to be repaired. They are made of either Beta or Biothane, not sure which. The hardware must be some pot metal stuff because it is not lasting. This guy packs into the Bob Marshall Wilderness and wants his equipment to last. I am looking for suggestions here but I have chatted with Herb Bork about making the rings and halter rings. I am thinking of going with stainless steel or whatever I can get that is tough enough to stand up to the pressure it has to take. I will probably have to get the conway buckles and ss snaps from Weaver. The way these halters were made, I have to take them completely apart to replace hardware so I am going to replace all at once instead of having to take them apart each time they break. And yes, I will be making notes so I can make these in the future. Anyone have any suggestions on a supplier or better material to use? I will also have to figure out what size thread and needle was used to match it. Any suggestions on the easiest way to do that? Thanks,

That is so cool Maybe the next project should be a great big leather bowl or bucket to catch all the "talent" everyone seems to be overflowing with here. Could bottle and sell it. I love looking at work here but never have enough time. I already use my spare time which is between midnight and 5AM for sleeping.

This is an oldie but a goodie. People fall for this one all the time. My old neighbor, who was a Deputy and her husband was a Deputy, had a son who listed a motorcycle for sale. Guy wants to buy it, will send the money to have a couple dents removed, repainted and a shipper pick it up. Wants to send a check to cover all costs and a little extra. DO NOT fall for it. You might contact local law enforcement to see if they want to set up to arrest the shipper when he comes to pick it up. Of course he will say he has no idea who sent the money. He is only the shipper. Let us know what happens.

I have a guy wanting to make his own saddle. He asked me about a kit that has all teh parts cut out along with a video on what to do. My question is, who supplies these kits? I have found J. J. Maxwell but would like others also. This guy just wants to make his own saddle then try to make a couple of kids saddles for his grandkids. He is in his late 50's or early 60's. Does not have a lot of extra time so wants to go the "easy" route on this project. Any help, as always, is greatly appreciated.

In my limited experience, seven saddles in six years, it is best if you can have the customer sit in the saddle as yo are doing the ground seat. But not just sit and give feedback, have them sit, have a cup of coffee, chat a while and then let you know how it feels. I would say a minimum of 20 minutes to get a good feel for it. I have even had a guy help me by having the stand next to the bench so he could cut some things out for me. I have started to "dish out" a little where the butt bones go on the seat. This seems to make for a more comfortable ride.

I know this is a basic question but something I am not very familiar with. I am making a Bible Cover for a friend. Will have a cross, a steer wrestler and his name on the front. I have seen others that the "lines" in the wood of the cross are darker really making it look like wood. What do you use for that? I've never used antiques or color stain or resists. I hardly use dye or any coloring for that matter. Any help, advise or just general chit chat on this will be appreciated.

Is there room for me on this bandwagon too? I would buy these inserts form you also, Kevin. We need a good supplier that is dependable.

BEAUTIFUL. Great work

Glad to see there is another aspiring braider out there. As much as I love my Bruce Grant book, IMHO, the Ron Edwards books are easier to understand adn follow. You should be able to find them almost anywhere in Australia. Also check out the Australian whipmakers and plaiters assoiation web site. Good info there also.

That is a wonderful gift from your grandmother. Use every bit of it you can. I have received tools and patterns from people that I am not even related to but the best thing you can give them is the thought that you will use it. Practice for a while and make something for your grandmother to say thank you.

Lookin good. I like the way the "boards" look. What finish did you use?

Thank you. I appreciate your input. The next one is for a 3 inch barrell and will be a paddle holster. Just trying to figure the thumbbreak on it now. Will be a couple of weeks before I get much of a chance to work on it. I will post pictures when it is done.

I am not a holster maker but was able to come up with this for a guy I know. The gun belongs to his wife and she wanted a belt and shell holder too.

Here are the thumbnails of the pictures. I think I may have this thing figured out. Should be able to double click and see them bigger.

This is the mate to the vase and flowers.

<a href="http://s604.photobuc...nt=P1020479.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i604.photobuc...th_P1020479.jpg" border="0" alt="Flowers adn vase for 4-H Exchange Fund Raiser" ></a> This is something I made for a neighbor that is in the 4-H Exchange here in Lewistown. It sold at auction a week ago for $170.00. I hope the link works for the picture. I made another that was not colored that I will post as soon as I get the pictures downloaded.

Wow Kevin, that is a great idea. You really are a wise guy... I mean a smart guy. Seriously Kevin, that is a great idea. This is why I like this forum so much. Thank you for sharing that idea. I have been thinking of going to a craft fair and need some of the little things to have on the table. Letting the kids do their own is a great way to get business. Thanks again.

That's nice. Simple yet looks good. Probably did not take very long to make either. These would be great to take to a craft fair or trade show as a small inexpensive item to have on your table. Great job!!!!

I don't have an answer for you as far as the number of feet or meters. I do know that you will be able to cut lots more lace for your $80 than you can buy for that amount. I bought a small hide and started to cut my own lace. I cut about 70 feet of 1/8 inch and that was only about five times around the hide. It is very rewarding cutting your own lace. You can also cut what you need when you need it. I would recommend you get a hide and try it at least once. I will tell you that you need patience when cutting your own lace. I started out cutting my own rawhide lace in 1993 and just now started on roo hide. Let us know what you decide.

Have yo thought about getting a flyer into Tandy and Montana Leather in Billings? What about Sheridan Leather, Kings and any others in Sheridan, Wyoming that will let you? I don't know if they will but it is worth a shot. There is also a saddle shop in Broadus that you might work on also. Maybe the two sale barns in Billings would let you hang flyers too. If you can put a picture of the boy on the flyer, that could help spark interest also. Might even check with Nate Wald in Lodge Grass. He might be able to help out in some way. God Bless and this family is now on our prayer list.

Rob, Very good on the tutorial. I may have to try this some day. I just did an article on how I make rawhide for the APWA, (Australian Plaiters and Whipmakers Association) Journal. Not that I am an expert or anything. I was taught to make and braid rawhide by Mary Field who is in the Bruce Grant books. I will chat with Johanna in the near future and see if she will help me in putting together my story with the pictures to post here. I don't claim that my way is the best or easiest but think that the more info we have and ways to do things we can adjust our ways to improve what we do. You did a great job on this. Keep up the good work.

Hey Marlon, I understand the tracing with the best of them comment. I'm not sure how good my tracing ability is but I like you make no bones about the lack of artistic ability to people. I too think you have done an excellent job on this. As always, you are your own worst critic.

I have a customer that wants braided key fobs that will be attached to stainless steel split key rings. He wants me to put bird bands on them. Will probably have six bands per fob. For those of you wondering, bird bands are the metal bands put on duck and goose legs as a tracking device for Fish and Wildlife. When you shoot a bird that is banded you notify game wardens and they take the info and forward it to F & W and they can track where the bird was banded and where it was shot. Anyway, I was thinking a four or six round with a band every half inch or so. Anyone have any ideas of another way to do this? Thanks, Joe

I had a guy call me last night wanting me to look at the seats in his Dodge pickup. The dog had scratched at them and the gray is off of the leather seat and it is a brown color underneath. He wants me to "fix" it. Any suggestions for this? I am thinking of black and white dye mixed to the matching shade but also thought about using the cova colors. I have no experience with the cova colors and the same with mixing dye. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks

Thanks Clay, I just got the downloads and look forward to making a few pots. I also got the vases and flowers. I believe they will be well worth the money spent. Of course I will post some pictures when I make something. I have been making the roses and doing well with them but have many inquires as to other flowers and boquets. Time will tell. Thanks again, Joe