savvydreambuilder

Hi Tony, thanks mate, Col was 76 and had been making for well over 50 years.

Just a short note to let folks outside of Australia know that one of our great saddle makers has passed away. Col Hood was instrumental in starting the Western Saddle culture in Australia, he built the first australian made Western trees. His saddles were well known for their strength, their balance and their fit of the horse, as well as the extreme beauty of his tooling. If you knew him I would love to hear your stories, he spent a few years in the US and Canada saddle making, and was always happy with a story to tell. 'cole He was my friend and mentor, and the most generous teacher I have ever met

exquisite!!

I know this is late but it might help someone else - When you are removing the old fenders tie a piece of bailing twine through the last hole of the stirrup adjustment, when you've pulled the fender out, leave the bailing twine in place (cut it off) then when you want to refit the fenders or a new set - just tie on the twine and pull them on through - don't even need to undo the jockeys this way. 'cole

very cool ferg.

Really cool and so on the money. thanks Daniel.

what a fantastic job!! If you're a noob, I am really looking forward to when you get some miles. nicole

Hey Skippy, What do you mean no point?? there is always a point - the process!! Agreed on the bevelling - and I did pick that up myself and fixed it pre dye.

very neat. Way cool

Thank You John. I haven't yet made any belts for them, but I figure I would if they asked. Afterall I figured out how to do those wretched double gussetted bags - well I figured out a way, seems to work well. 'cole

Hey Shorts, I feel your pain. I figured I had gotten interested in Leather working only to find out that I need to be a sewing machine mechanic as well. Being a tool maker would be a good secondary, and don't get me started on honing and grinding!!! All that said your thread is really helpful, as I have suffered all of these problems, but haven't been able to articulate them well enough to get help on them. cheers, 'cole (substitute sewing machine for computer)

Man that is gorgeous!! Would love to know how you did the blind stitch binding if you dare to share!! 'cole Careful with that buckstitching you may make it fashionable again!!