rgerbitz

Man that's a nice looking go fast button. Good work Alan! Thanks for sharing, Rob

I had a similar problem the other day and ended up doing it over. I tie a one string fondation for my nose buttons and decided that on this one I had laid the fondation in too tight and didn't do a good job on the ends when laying stings in. So that as I added the interweave it sucked everything in off the ends. I have only been able to fix knots on very few occasions. I generally have to redo in a situation that you have. Rob

Thank you everyone. Mark, the bosalita is sold. I do have another cheek braided up, it wouldn't be to tough to put another one together that looks similar. The bosal is spoken for but if I don't get a check soon it'll be on the market.

Here is a couple that I finished up this week. Critiques are always welcome. The bosalita is roo and rawhide and the 5/8 is latigo and roo

I can't say any more than the rest. That's some really nice looking gear.

Very nice.

Man that is awsome.

I braided for about a year or so before I found out about the needles. I was like a born again braider after that. Then about two years later I was turned on to a pretty good awl, I was born again. There is nothing like having the right tools for the job. I use the one prong neeles and press the prong flat with pliers to keep them from ripping up any string and use the an Osborne T-ll tennis awl. I've broken a few of them. But they are only about 5 or 6 dollars. Rob

Looks good Mike. I personally like a thicker hondo so use wider strings or more of them. I may have to try and make some like that. I really like the looks of it. Rob

How do you guys go about streching those wide strings? Rob

If you need some cut and beveled I'd be willing to work with you on some string. Rob

Nice job. Sweetie says I should buy her one. What are you using for the fondation, is that wood in there? Rob

I don't have a formula but I would think that some string in a 3-4 /32 width and about 1.5 - 2/32 thickness would work out pretty good.

That is a real nice little bosal. Looking forward to your tutorial or video.

All the books listed above are a good I have the Encylcpedia and refer to it the most. Tom Halls are good and contain alot of info on sizes for different projects. I also picked up Bryan Neuberts first video when I was getting started and used it alot in trying to work out turks heads and long buttons. And of course the source that trumps all of these is finding someone to go and learn with is best. I'm in Northern Illinois and have no problem working with somebody. I don't know alot of fancy knots or braiding patterns. Most of what I do is pretty basic stuff. Good luck with it all, Rob

Looks like you have a good start.

Nicely done. Where do you get the connectors? Thanks for sharing, Rob

Hey all, I've had some private questions lately about how I do somethings, so here is some photos of some of the process of puttting the nose and heel on a bosal. I wrote some really discriptive stuff and managed to erase it twice, so you are now left with the cliff notes. I find the center of the braid which is usually about 17 inches from either end. I use sewing needles to mark the center and ends. I quit using markers or pens because if I wanted to change something a little the marks would sometime hinder that. I have a bunch of scrap shape leather around here and use a lot of it for building up for knots. The first layer is laced on very tight, and the second layer is cut a bit thinner and glued to the first.. I then use a little bit of athletic tape to finish the shaping of the nerve buttons. Next I lay in about 7-9 layers or athletic tape to build up for the nose. This also provides a nice surface to lay out for were the strings will go. The marks on the tape simply divide the length of the nose button (71/2 inches) in equal parts. I make marks on the oppisite side that equally divide that side as well. The foundation knot on the nose is tied with one string about 26 feet long. It is very important to make sure that as the foundation develops that everything stays lined up with the marks previously laid out. The interweave is laid in with a couple of shorter strings 12 foot or so. Once the nose is tied, "roll the piss out of'r" to smooth out everything. I then bend the bosal around and tie it with the cheeks about 4 inches apart, then go to set up for the heel. The measurement from the ends of the nosebottun to the heel is the most important if the bosal is to be properly balanced. I think the pictures show pretty well how the block goes in, ask question if you it isn't clear to you. The ground work for the heal starts with a series of ring knots the to one being a 2 pass the middle being 3 or 4 and the bottom 1 or 2 pass. Again I use some pretty bulky chap leather for tying these on. Then the strands of the braid are passed around these ring knots. After all of them have been passed around and drawn down tight the strings and extra core are cut off flesh with the bottom of the heel. I secure some nylon around and through all of the strings to give something to anchor the leather piece for the bottom. Then I might use some more athletic tape to give the heel a little more shape. Then put on the heel knot. And POOF!! you have a bosal. If you have any questions I will do my best to answer any of them. Rob

Thank you for your time Trox

This machine is for sale for $200 near me. I am wondering wether or not it would work for sewing leather for bridles, breast collars, and such. Thank you, Rob

Nice, I like the look of the slit braid. Are you making you own rawhide, that to is looking good.

Your braiding is looking better all the time cous'

Braided bit hobbles, shuflies, and leather cheek bosals, and putting pinapple knots on rope mecates are the most profitable for me.

Hey all, Can anyone tell me what the capabilities of this machine are. Thank you, Rob

Awsome work rawhider.