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jonwatsabaugh

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About jonwatsabaugh

  • Rank
    Member
  • Birthday 07/21/1955

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  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Des Moines, Iowa

LW Info

  • Leatherwork Specialty
    tree/saddle maker

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  1. terrahyd

    happy birthday

  2. jonwatsabaugh
    If the tree is rawhide covered, the hide can be stripped and all the pieces epoxied and pinned back together. After this opperation I epoxy/fiberglass the stucture and rawhide if desired. On tree repairs such as this it's easier to repair the old as opposed to getting a replacement tree to fit exactly as the original. Also it could be a poorly enough built tree to begin with, in such case a replacement would be neccesary. Wouldn't know though untill it's opened up. I've done this alot on saddles that were actually worth repairing. Like Steve mentioned though, whether replacing or repairing it's an expensive operation. Jon
  3. jonwatsabaugh
    Ann, Conventional methods used for veg tanned leather don't work. I simply drag my harness leather straps through a can of paste saddle soap a couple of times to thoroughly saturate them, work it in with my hands, then wipe off the excess (no need to burnish). If you have used a sharp edger the paste soap does a very nice job of finishing the edges. After the soap dries, you can finish by wiping on a coat of Tan Kote. As an added note I always punch holes and buckle slots after the paste soap to avoid having to clean it out of the holes and slots later. Try this method...I think you will be pleased with the results! Jon
  4. jonwatsabaugh
    As Casey mentioned, I make trees in any scale and style. Full size trees can be scaled down for horses or ponies just right for kids. The little trees in the picture are Casey's. The finished one is fiberglass/epoxy encased. The full sized trees in the background have been epoxy coated and are awaiting rawhide. Jon
  5. jonwatsabaugh
    I always make sure the skirts and plugs are bone dry before gluing them up. The skirts should have the blocking and curves set. While applying the plugs, I always bend them into the set skirts to maintain the skirt form. After burnishing in the plugs, I wet the inside edges of such with a spray bottle and blend nicely with a French edger. By gluing the pieces dry, and applying very little moisture to finish, shrinkage should never be an issue. When plugs come loose, they were not done right in the first place IMO. Jon
  6. GAP

    Hi Jon,

    Your reply ran out of characters before you had finished your phone number. Thanks for the reply, and I will be in contact as soon as I get things lined out and get your number. I had looked at a post you made where you had fiberglassed a wade tree. Nice looking job on the tree... I'm just unfamiliar with glassing one.

    Thanks again

  7. jonwatsabaugh

    Gary,

    Have'nt come across your name in quite some time. I used to keep track of the Colorado Saddle Makers Assoc., and your name always popped up. Anyway, yup I am a tree maker and would be glad to talk to you regarding your saddle tree needs. I don't have a catalog or web site but you could call me and I can give you a list of refferences, pricing, etc. Call day or evening at 515-...

  8. GAP

    catologue? Just interested in seeing what you turn out. Never was satisfied with most tree companies, so I started getting trees from Ben Swanke and Rod Nikkels before I took my vacation.

    Thankyou.

    Gary Parrish

    21430 CR 29.75

    La Junta, CO 81050

  9. GAP

    Hi Jon,

    Recently ran across this site, and have been looking at it for a couple of evenings.

    I've been makiing saddles for 25 years, not any large amounts. Just one here and there.

    Kinda took a vacation from it after a divorce a few years ago. but figure it's time to get started again.

    I gather that you're a tree maker. Do you have a catol...

  10. jonwatsabaugh
    This year I finally got to attend the TCAA event in Oklahoma City. Oh, what a time I had! The members' works are inspirational indeed but even more so are the personalities behind their fine art. As busy as their week was, I found them very gracious and personable toward the little guy like me. I finally got to meet Chuck Stormes and he took time out of his busy day to look over a few trees I brought. We had a small crowd gathered around my car passing around trees. Among them were Chuck of course, Cary Schwarz, Pedro Padrini, John Willemsma, Troy West, David Morris, and Alan Bell. David, it certainly was a pleasure to meet and spend time with you, and Alan, I'm sorry I didn't get to visit more. As always, Troy, its good to fellowship with you, my good friend! Next year the seminar emphasis will be directed toward saddle making, so mark your calenders, get your work done, save some bucks and get your hide down to OK City for a good time. You won't regret it ! See y'all next September! Jon
  11. jonwatsabaugh
    Thanks all! Brent, I did'nt have a clue how much this tree would weigh once it was finished, but after selecting some lower density poplar combined with my standard epoxy/fiberglass encasing process, the result was 4 lbs. The saddle without stirrups, with breast collar, and both cinches weghed 27 lbs. She had her own stirrups and I did'nt get to weigh them...just guessing 3 lbs. The leather is standard russet Herman Oak with an extra coat of oil and lots of warm Iowa sun. Steve, Yes, it is an in-skirt rig Bara, I just antiqued the stamping and carving to get the color Denise, I use yellow poplar in all my trees. Down the road I want to try using douglas fir, but right now I just can't get good stuff at anywhere near a reasonable price. The poplar however has many great attributes and I like working with it. Jon
  12. jonwatsabaugh
    Here's one I finished for a local gal a few weeks ago. It sports one of my fiberglass encased trees( 4 lbs.) and 13-15 oz. Herman Oak skirting. With everything hang'in, it weighed in at 30 lbs. Jon
  13. jonwatsabaugh
    Dixie, Keep in mind, if you want to do a resto on this old rig it should have square, pointy skirts and jockeys. If you look at the present skirts and jockeys, it is obvious at some point they have been cut, resulting in the large radius. I've seen a number of old square skirt saddles done like that. Those big old skirts really curl up at the corners after they've been hanging in the barn for 50 years and they ain't gonna flatten back down so alot of folks just whacked em' off and try and get some more use out em'. From what I can tell in the photos, this does indeed appear to be a White River style tree. Neat old piece! Jon
  14. jonwatsabaugh
    Just an update on the lightweight I started last Sunday afternoon. As of Fri.evening, everything was done with the exception of the breast collar. Minus the breast collar, stirrups, and front cinch, it weighed in at 27 lbs. This was still accomplished using 13-15 oz. Herman Oak skirting and my full size round skirt pattern. The skirting was a bit on the light side however. JW, Just like you, I sure like building on these trees...super smooth with all edges well defined. Some makers take exception to glassed trees as you well know...I'll do rawhide or glass, makes no difference to me. Andy, I would like to see one of your glassed trees sometime. What's the lightest tree you've made? Steve, I love to see your work. From what I've gathered, as well as being a fine craftsman you are a very efficient builder as well. Keith, Your work is always very inspiring! Your artistry is to be studied, I always learn from your work. I'll bet that was one proud young feller in that picture! Frank, Thanks much for your input as well! I'll try and get finished pics up before me and the family head out on our road trip out west on Tues! Jon
  15. jonwatsabaugh
    I received an order sometime back from a lady who lives locally that wanted a classic Wade saddle built as lightweight as possible. When I was confronted with the challenge I immediately suggested a fiberglass encased tree. She wasn't to keen on the idea at first, but soon I gained her trust and she agreed, as the weight consideration was very important to her. Granted, it just doesn't seem right to put a glass encased tree in a Wade, but when you are looking for major weight savings without compromising strength, it just makes sense, and man, are they nice to build on! When finished, the tree weighed about 4 lbs. I'm hoping the completed saddle will be under 30 lbs. Just started the saddle today...I'll post the results in about a week. Just curious, what's the lightest saddle any of you out there in Leatherworker land have made? Jon
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