justken

Hello!..You don't have to have a fully set up shop to start.First thing you mite want to look into is getting more info.There are a couple of great magazines that you can get a LOT of good info from."The Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal" and "Shop Talk" are well worth getting."Shop Talk" also has a big used/old tool sale every year.Dusty Johnson at Pleasant Vally Saddle Shop has a saddle making book for less than $20.00(ad in The Leather Crafter & Saddlers Journal).It'll show you the basics and a start.He also has a video.Robin Yates also has a couple books for less than $20.00 each(ad in Shop Talk).IMHO they are pretty basic books but well worth the price.The Al Stolhman books are way,way better and you will find yourself wearing the covers off them....Good luck and have fun..Ken

Hello..You could check with Panhandle Leather there in Amarillo.They carry used machines...Ken

Hello!..If you have a tax ID number then get a hold of Weaver Leather.Ask for their supply catalog.They have a lot of requirements for their finished tack,but is fairly easy to get a supply acct set up....Ken

Hello!..Have had a 97-10 in shop for close to 30 years,what I learned to sew on.Good solid machine.Only problem is finding needles for it. Have never had to try to find parts for it though.It's used several times a week.Best part is,I don't ever have to worry about anyone stealing it!...Ken

Hello!..I keep an asst of lids to use as templates,anywhere from 1" to up around 10".Liter pop bottle caps to cookie tins. Just mark center of strap,pick out curve you like and go from center mark to edge of strap.Quick and easy!If your going to use same pattern a lot then make up a template out of heavy card stock or plastic.I make mine about 6" long,then punch a hole in far end to hang from a nail or put on a shower ring with different sizes...Ken

Sent E-Mail...Ken

Check with "Rio Grande" 1(800)545-6566. Great place to find jewelry findings,tools and displays. Ken

Thank you Bob. What needle system/size do these use? And is bobbin same as on 97-10?This machine has been setting in a barn for the last year.Was being used but not very much before that.It's in working condition,but no extra pasts,needles,bobbins etc.Any ideal how much it's worth?From what I could see everything looks "org",no new parts.It works freely,just really dirty.

I am also trying to find the old post that told how to find out the age of machine.Thought it was on the Singer site but have been unable to find it.Thanks...Ken

I came across a 7-31 today and would like some info on it.How heavy will it sew and are parts still avalable? Looks all org with an oversized table.Was to dark to take good pictues.Anyone still use one?Thanks for any info...Ken

Thank you for posting this.Now have the old numbers to look for.

Took a couple pictures of this saddle that I'm trying to find info on.Thinking it was built in Aug of 96(0896 up under skirt) It had Diablo Silver conchos on it. I couldn't find anything on internet about them.Looked at McCormick Western Wear,but didn't see any saddles on their site.It's a very well made saddle,has an all leather ground seat in it. Came into shop with a broken tree which I sent down to Precision Saddle tree and had them fix and cover with Kavalar. Tried to keep as org. as possible,redid the horn and cheyenne roll.Thanks again for any info on it.....Ken Smith/East-West Saddle Shop

Hello! I'm looking for any info on McCormick Saddlery. I have one in shop that I've rebuilt,but can't find anything about them. This saddle isn't that old,built around 96 I'm told. Are thay still in business? It had a Superior tree it. Sorry, can't post pictures here at work. Thank you for any info...Ken

Try contacting Looncreekleather.com..Bob Glessner has the org. Flowers dies and sells replacement pieces.Good folks to work with....Ken

My dad started dealing with Weavers in around 1980 and I have been dealing with them since around 1985.Never had any major problems with them and few we've had were always fixed.Weaver only sells wholesale so you'll need a tax number to order supplies.Thay have a whole lot more you have to go through to be able to buy thier tack.I always tell them what I'm needing leather for(8' plus reins,back clear for 12"deep for stirrup leathers,clear backed for ruff-out,etc.)If it's something special,I''ll drive up and hand pick it.Same as I'd do with any supplier. What I really like is that if I order by 10am,the order is usually setting in my shop by noon of the next day.Right now I'm placing an order about every 2-3 weeks....just tossing my 2 pennys in the pot.....Ken

If anyone needs the MSDS sheets for any product Tandy carries,you can go to ...tlfsafty.com...and download them.Also talked to Fiebings and thay will e-mail MSDS sheets,or you can get them from their site.Thay can also tell you which type of gloves to use.Very good info to know. Ken

Used the Deglazer on both saddles over weekend and it worked pretty good overall.I take saddles outside and hose them off good first then get to work with brushes and Leather New. Wiped down with Deglazer while still wet ,let set for a min then washed off real good.Did that a couple of times,working on one side then the other.Took Saddle-lac off and also seemed to help lift dirt from under cuts.Didn't do anything to silver that I can see.Over all...I'll use it again.I sure wouldn't use deglazer inside.Don't do like I did and bring rags inside ether.Do wish it'd had come with it's MSDS sheet,going to call Tandy and try to get one and also find out what type gloves thay recomend ....Ken

Thank you Whinewine. Haven't used it before,it does smell rank! Will be using this weekend,will let everyone know how it went on Mon.I've got to stip down two show saddles and am now wondering if deglazer will do anything to the silver(plated).. Just had a thought,will "reg" Acetate work as well?....Ken

Thanks Spur2009...We used to use rubbing alcohol also. Was hoping there was something better out there.Talked to Tandy Leather and thay told me to use the deglazer stuff. Have you ever tried using it?

Anyone have any tips on taking this stuff off? I've got some Fiebings Deglazer coming.It's been a long time since I've gotten a saddle in with Saddle -lac on it,then got 2 in one day.Thanks in advance for any help.....Ken

Welcome! Another hitcher...Clay Christenson's book "How To Hitch Horsehair",will help you. Just looked up Hitching Post Supply and thay have it for 22.00.It's a good all around book on hitching What all do you make?....Ken

Hi Saddlebag! Didn't figure warranty would be any good,but told lady I would check into it for her.Would still like to find out who made it to see what tree is in it...Ken

Trying to find any info and a contact number for Western Saddlery.There aren't any other markings or numbers on this saddle.This one is a ruff-out training saddle with a 16 1/2" seat,looks well made.Lady said it was 3 years old but it has Mast hardware on it? Wouldn't do any good to post a picture of it,it had a very bad day. Horse flipped over backwards on concrete.Needs a new tree and then folks took sturrup leathers and fends off.Lady thinks tree mite still be under warrenty, but I can't find any info on company. Thanks for any help...Ken

Hi Roger..I hitch and braid also.Drop me a line if I can help.