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How is everbody, I have always gotten great advice from this forum, and I would like some of the great craftsmen opinion please. Last year I repaired six saddles for a Saddle and tack company that had a major problem with the rigging. The saddles were made in India and the trees were terrible. The rigging had pulled out of the trees because the trees were hollow, just a fiberglass shell! I was paid by the one of the owners of the company in India in person and I proceeded to tell him that these saddles were not good enough for decoration, how he could he endanger his customers with this crap. He paid me and said thank you, I never thought I would hear from them again. This week they called me and want me to build a prototype saddle and the compensation is more than generous. They also want tree company names. They took my advice and are buying leather from Wickett and Craig. I was shown bridles made with the Wickett and Craig leather and they are very nice. He seems like his company wants to really improve the quality of his product. Should I invest the time to put my name with this company and the stigma of India made tack or accept the compensation in hard times?

First off neatsfoot oil is made by the natural oils from the lower bones of cattle legs. A long time ago people noticed that cattle did not suffer any frostbite in thier legs in winter because of the oils that did not get thicker. By boiling those bones after slaughter a low vicosity oil was produced. This oil when applied on veg-tanned leather prolonged the life of the leather and sofened it. The one problem with neatsfoot oil is it will darken the leather. Lexal is a combination of mostly two ingrediants, neatsfoot oil , and liquid lanolien. Lanoline is a natural product from sheep. This product is very good because it will not darken the leather as much as pure neatsfoot oil. The one thing you do not want to put on leather is a petrolium product, this will eventualy break down the leathers fibers. See if this helps. Tim

Sorry everybody, I reposted this because for some reason I did not have critique my work showing up on my computer after I posted the cross the first time. I thought that I had messed up. Again sorry ya'll Tim

How are everybody, Here is a cross I did for my church auction. I was very proud that it brought 200.00 dollars. Please tell me what ya'll think Tim

Here is a try at a slim jim holster, all input is welcome Tim

oops, here is the front of the bag. Tim

Here is another rope bag I just finished. Wickett & Craig 12 oz saddle skirting. Gullet is 4 oz chrome tanned chap leather. Thanks for all comments Tim

Have any of yall been asked to make questionable products. Thanks Tim

Bob, The gussett is eight inches and the zipper is thirty six inches, so it opens real wide. The gussett is four to six oz. black latigo. The front and back are twelve oz. saddle skirt. Tim

How is Everybody, I just finished this rope bag. All replies are welcome. Tim

Thanks Bob, I have talked to Bruce, He is my cousin. I was just wondering if anyone on this forum have seen one. Tim

How is everybody doing, I am looking for pictures of my great Grandfathers or my Grandfathers saddles. The maker stamps say W. L. Woods Gainesville Texas, or Woods Cheaney Saddles Gainesville Texas. I have one of my grandfathers saddles and one of my Grandfathers saddles is in the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in Waco Texas. From what I understand they built more harness than saddles. This is in north Texas or south Oklahoma. Thank You Tim Woods Rafter T

How are yall, In a discussion on another topic we were discussing steer tripping and I started thinking if some of yall still have ranch rodeos with wild horse races, wild cow milking, sorting,branding, doctoring, mugging, and all the roping events. The last one we had here we even had tug of war, and egg carry. Tim

First off Bruce, Kieth,and JW thank you for the info I almost forgot the first rule QUALITY, Here in Central Texas we still have quite a few trippings but closer to the bigger cities ( except Ft. Worth ) they almost never happen. Hopefully it wont become a dying art because the horses are some of the best . Thank again Tim

How are yall, A customer just ordered a saddle with these spects. 15" SF Bowman double dally horn 2" cap, 93 degree, fiberglass on the wood then double bullhide cover. First question, will I have to order a 15 1/2" or 16" tree so when all this material is placed on the wood the finished tree will be a true 15" and in all of your opinions is this overkill in rawhide and not worth the extra cost. This man trips alot and is very hard on a saddle. He has broken several trees from pretty well known saddle makers. Tim

A 15oz saddle skirt lined with 3/4" wool fleece and you put the beverege of your choice and it will keep it cold or hot, for your drinking pleasure. Tim

Thank all of you for your instruction. There was no ryme or reason why I did the snap like that. My experance with holsters has been single action pistols that I own. Thanks again for your instruction. Tim

How are yall doing, Here is what I am doing with scrap shearling and 15oz saddle skirting. Let me know what you think. Tim

How are you doing, Here is a little holster I made fore a local Peace Officer. Please tell where I can improve. Tim

Here are two of the trophy breaststraps I have made for a local Team Roping. Tim

You sir are a true craftsman. Tim

How are ya'll doing, Here are a set of spur leathers. I have never worked with snake before and I hope ya'll like. Tim

No. My customer did not want lined, He said the wool would catch in the front sights. Tim

He is going to carry a 7mm Weatherby. I don't know the name brand of the scope but it is 18" long and 2 3/8 around. Tim

Art, They really liked them. They are really heavy and the man that won the Champion Header said that he slipped a disc in his back picking it up. Tim