rickybobby

Mike, I have ridden with folks that cannot seem to stay centered on the back of a horse, they drift to one side or the other. I think it is just sloppy riding and as JW said it will sore a horse. That said, I have also seen stirrup leathers stretched on one side. Usually on the mounting side (left) happens alot with a saddle that does not have full stirrup leathers but I have seen it even then. You might check the length of both leathers. Pull both out and hold them side by side. That will give you the most accurate reading.

In our shop, our orders are all for swell forked saddles. We have not had much interest in wades for the last year or so. And the repairs coming in to the shop we see about 20% of the saddles are wades. Most of the ranch hands in our area are riding swell forks, but the wades are out there. As far as saddles that we take in used for consignment, the folks with wades are not giving them up! We can sell a barrel racing type saddle as fast as they come in the store. We are in Wickenburg Az.

Spider, Your stuff is so "OUT THERE !!! " It rocks, I love to see your work. I want to try some like it on a saddle or spur straps!, Maybe a skull or two, See if I can start a trend in the western world!! Really like the work! Rick J.

I got the patterns copied at Staples (blue print copier!) I will copy the instruction manual tomorrow ( it is small ) and get it all in the mail. P.M. me the address you would like it sent to. The large copy was $2.71 and I am not sure about mail yet. We can settle up later for mail cost. Should be only a couple dollars.

Equiss, I have found the patterns and instructions for the "half pint" saddle. I can copy the instruction pages on a regular copier but the patterns are on a large sheet. I will check our local office supply to see if they have a large bed copier. I have had mine under construction for to long. I should finish it up. Never enough time! I'll get them to you a.s.a.p.

russinchico, I think you are looking for a Conway Buckle. This would hold weight and not come unhooked or unsnapped when under pressure. Conway Buckle 1" Nickel Plated 1536-00 For horse tack, halters, shoulder bag straps and narrow belts. Center post buckle lets you adjust from both ends. For general tack repair. Club Price $1.00 ea Your Price $1.29 ea They are available at Tandyleatherfactory dot com They are avail. in different widths too.

Nice job, Tooling looks even, color looks good, edges are nice. A very nice piece. Keep posting and trying new things, that is when you learn the most!

russinchico, Nice work! I have not tried any slings yet but I am starting to get asked by customers for them (hunting season coming up) I would try a closed cell foam maybe 1/4 inch and do it like a padded saddle seat. Cut the foam a to your stitch line, bevel the foam at a 45 to 60 degree angle and glue it to chap leather (rough out or smooth out). Glue it on the sling in position and stitch it on. Take your largest edge beveler or french edger (sharp) and trim the chap leather or use pinking shears for the final edge. I would think Tom's idea of sheep skin would be comfortable but after a trip in the woods it can pick up stickers, thorns, critters, ect.

I have the patterns for a complete small saddle. The trees and stirrups are available from "Ralide" aprox $30.00 or some treemakers have wood covered with rawhide for aprox $160.00 The patterns are for the saddle parts not tooling patterns. I think that is what you are asking for? (they have very good instructions too.) Let me know, I can have them copied and send to you Rick J.

Roger, Great job on the details the flowers look so REAL !! They don't sag at all !! Oh yea, the girl looks very detailed also!! Good job and for a good cause!

Are you looking for a wheel cover? (hub cap)? The center on many styles of wheels O.E.M. and after market have centers that "pop" or snap in. They can be found at tire and wheel stores or if you just need a large 2 inch concho made show one to a machine shop and they can "turn" you out one in whatever matl. you want and also something welded on the back side to attatch it where ever you need it to go. Hope this is some help, add some info to your question and maybe someone can get you exactly what you need or the info.

Art, You have a $150.00 holster for a $100.00 gun !!

ArtS, Holster looks great!! I like the faux gator! I thought I was the only person with one of these guns! I bought it because it was so inexpensive (cheap) I use it to carry when trail riding in the mountains, it figured it would not hurt so much if I lost a inexpensive (cheap) gun in the brush. But I have had it for so long I am kind of attatched to it now. I can't hit the broad side of a barn with it but if I unload the clip I should scare whatever it is to death! One question, the belt clip looks low, when it is on your belt is it "top heavy", it is a pretty light gun, does it stay snug against your side? Good job, you have inspired me to make a new holster for mine!!

Allen, Welcome to the forum!! There is a lot of information here. Just ask questions and post some pictures of your work no matter how bad you think it is!! We will tell you it's great and then point out how to improve!! LOL !!! The critique here is gental and helpful. Glad you found us and let any of us know if you need help! Rick J.

Bev, Good job. Now you have the saddle "bug" lol. We all have it!! While you are planning the next one, read through all the posts in the saddle board. There is lots of information to be found!! Rick J.

I have a Tippman Boss and use it for holsters with no trouble. I also sew chaps and have even sewen nylon with it. The book that comes with it is small but very informative on how to make adjustments to get the best stitch. I have not had a problem with it being "tempermental" but I am !! LOL !! It just stitches away. The Boss is the machine I have at home. I have 4 machines that I can use at the saddle shop I work at. elec. If I had the $$$ I would buy elec. machines as well. The Tippman is worth the money and resale is good as well!

Blake, Have you used these trees? It seems like a good concept, the website is informative and nicely done. Have you used the blue fitting system they developed? I did not see any price list for anything on the website. Rick J.

Jon, Nice work! The saddle is beautiful! I have not seen a round style horn in my area (Az.) . Is it more common in other parts of the country? I am courious, what leather did you use and what is the finish? It has a very "rich" tone of color that is hard to get with some leathers and finish products. Thanks for sharing a very nice piece of work, Rick J.

Welcome to the forum Davy The discription of the stamping on a belt is great. WE would love to see an example! There are quite a few folks here that are doing stamping, and are quite creative!! Photos would be a + for this thread!! If you have questions about uploading photos don't be afraid to ask, we are all about learning here !! Again, welcome and lets see some pictures!!

Thanks for the information Blake, I think I will just hang it on the wall as a conversation piece! and to remind me not to get talked into anything new and improved again !! The man I spoke to was not Les Brown from Ortho Flex, but I did not ask if he was involved with the company a couple years ago when I ordered it. I do not remember the mans name. When you did the pressure mapping did you have one of the "blankets" that display on a computer screen? And what opinion do you have about the measuring device from Austrailia? It seems to be working for some saddle makers and tree makers here in the U.S.

Thanks for the information on doing the ground seat. I think I will stick to the tried and true saddle tree. I have had this one for some time and have not done anything with it. Maybe I will just use it for a book end, LOL!! Is there any way to put a ground seat in it and be sure it will not fail?? Again, Thanks for the comments, you folks really have helped me on this and so many other projects!

Have any of you heard of or used a "Fitsright" saddle tree. It has wood swell and wood cantle but rubber bars. Long story, short. I have one and am not to sure about building on it. Any suggestions or expieriences welcomed. (Good or bad) Thanks, Rick J.

I asked our shoe repairman about the heat unit. The old style of thread lub was wax and needed to be heated before it could be used. The new lub stays liquid without heat.

Andrew, Others have posted what your overhead is, all true, yoou need to pay yourself as if you were a business. A good example is a craftsman, which we are, we need to collect on the hours spent learning, studying, practiceing, ect. You also need to figure growth for your business, future equipment, wearing out equipment, NEW TOOLS ! Even without the overhead of a store front you have overhead! Computer geeks, auto mechanics, auto body shops, plumbers, ect. all pay bills (overhead) also consider the times you are not working on tack, but are not doing anything else because you need to go see if they have work. You need to charge a hourly rate that will Sustain you while waiting for the next job, I don't mean make a killing on one job so you don't have to work the rest of the week just enough so you can stay dedicated to this business. I have been in the service business and had my own body shop for 20 years. As a craftsman I have not taken my own advice on this and not gotten further ahead as fast as I would have liked to. The leather business is new for me, I have done leather work since I was 14, but I am doing this as a second career now and I am following these things other businessmen have taught me. I think it would be impossible do do this for under $50.00 per labor hour. * you can give a estimate for labor hours to repair, call if you find there will be more to give the customer a heads up. Also be fair if it takes you less time. * look over the items at the time they are dropped off, note missing parts (cinch, breast collar or not, stirrup leathers, irons) customers will forget they took these off and ask you replace them at your cost. This is preventable with checking these in and noteing what is there and what is not. * "Under promise and over deliver" I learned this in the automotive repair business. If a customers job takes 1 week and is $300.00 But you thought it would take 5 days and be $285.00 and this is what you told them, you will have a unhappy customer. On the other hand you told them $325.00 and take 10 days when you call them in 1 week and the bill is $300.00 your a hero! If anyone else has any ideas I would be interested. Sorry for the long post but business is important!! Thanks, hope this is a answer that works for you!

As always, a great holster! I notice that the bottom appears to be "rolled" under and not stitched? Is the bottom open? Do most customers prefer a open bottom or stitched closed? Do you have metal under the Elephant? Thanks for showing your work, it is really top notch! Rick J.