rustyriggin

I ordered my stamp Monday, and she sent the final design yesterday, and shipped it this morning, so YES she is fast. I sent her the logo we have on the truck, and our shirts. , and this is what she put on the stamp rusty_20riggin_20gabbard_saddle_1_.bmp rusty_20riggin_20gabbard_saddle_1_.bmp rusty_20riggin_20gabbard_saddle_1_.bmp

Hi - Yes, that was my plan. I was hoping to get some basics down first before I go hog wild. All I really need is something like 1) Remove stirrups and fenders 2) Remove saddle strings It's pretty simple really, I describe it as kinda like legos', it goes back together just like it came apart. I use a grinder to grind off the copper rivets on the stirrup leathers and fenders, and it's easiest just to cut the saddle strings and replace them with new. Everyone has their own way, just take your time and think about what you want the finished product to look like, and take the advice you get from others on here, and use what works for you. Rus

Alot of us use lasergiftcreations.com, I just had one made that shippecd today, and Brenda is great to work with, she won't send it til your happy with it. They only cost $35.00 plus shipping.

Alot of us on here use Weldwood, you can get it at just about any hardware store, get the eco friendly stuff, not the gel. It works great! and it's cheaper than barge. Give it a try, it'll work for ya.

No bigger than it is, I would just redo it, or if thats not an option I would go with 2 stitch lines, I think it will turn out ok.

Last week I sold a "The Proven by Circle Y" for 645.00, it had lots of extra "bling", and aluminum competition stirrups, and was autographed by Martha Josey, and R.A Josey. It was a pretty saddle with the hip hugger seat. Thats how my luck is too, always find good deals when it's too late.

I haven't seen anything from Billy Cook lately that turned my head, the ones I've seen look pretty cheap, It's probably good quality, they just look like a cheap mexican saddle. No fancy tooling the seats are not stitched with a nice design. Just not impressed with what turn out these days. JMHO

Circle Y has some good things for barrel racing saddles, I'd say just go to some shops and find a saddle that you "sit in" not "sit on", you'll know the right one when you sit in it. For barrels I would say try one with a hip hugger seat, it really adds to a secure feel. Just my .02

People often have different ideas of what good shape is, to me ready to ride means just that, all I have to do is put it on and go. I bought a nice Bona Allen the other day, it needs work, but is in good overall shape, just needs a good cleaning, and new fleece, and stirrup leathers, and stirrup fenders........ WOW that sounds like alot now!! I could sell it without doing that much to it, but if it's going to leave my shop, it'd be something I'd be proud to ride anywhere. I only paid $25.00 for it, so I think I can fix it up and still come out ahead. Anyway as long as you're happy with it, and learn something then I think it was worth it. Don't forget to show us when it's done, and I'll post some pics of this one before I tear into it.

I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for, but Goliger Leather Company has sample cards of what colors and kinds they offer. The number is 800-423-2329 or goligerleather.com. It's real leather samples, about 4 big sheets worth.

Honestly????..... Your doing a great job!!! It looks great, you really brought it a long way, I think you are on to something with doing leatherwork, from what you've shown us so far you have a real talent for it. Keep up the good work!! don't forget to show us when it's done!!

I have no Idea who made it, but I'm sure you will get the answer your looking for on here. Also WELCOME, glad to have you here. Just give these guys some time to see your post, I'd bet you have your answer in the next day or 2. Rus

I have one, but no pics of it, and they are called flag holders, or flag boots, just do a search on stirrup flag holders, and you should find something. Rus

That looks pretty clear to me, and thanks for posting that. It'll really help the drawing challenged like myself! That should help take carving to a new level.

I used the GEL weldwood at first, but it is pretty thick. The eco friendly stuff is alot thinner and easier to spread. Also I messed up on a previous post, it cost about $6.00 a QUART not a pint.

I used to use Barge a few years ago, til I found out about Weldwood. Weldwood is all I use now,and you can get it at any hardware store. It says right on the can that it works on leather....and it DOES. It runs about $6.00 a pint. Just my .02.

I'm at a loss as to what kind it is, if it is a calvary saddle, the stirrup fenders look like it would be an officers saddle. The tooling is what makes me wonder about it being calvary.

My Tandy stamps are holding up fine I've put alot of miles on them over the last 4 yrs, but I just like the style of Hidecrafter's barbwire better. Don't forget to case your leather real good, it makes all the difference.

One of Tandy's barbwire sets has a corner stamp, but you can use 'half' a stamp when you need to, cause they will overlap and line up. They look ok when you just butt them up to each other. Play with them and see what you can come up with that suites you. Hope this helps. Rus

The first thing you need are the stamps, which you can get at Tandy, or Hidecrafter, I prefer the ones from Hidecrafter, then you would need a border tool and swivel knife, or wing dividers. Just something to give you an even line aound your border to go by, and LOTS of practice. It's a easy tool to learn to use, it just takes time.

I don't know anything about bike seats, but I know nice leatherwork when I see it and that is some great work!!

Welcome!! You'll find the answers to all your leather questions here. Just not from me, cause I don't know.

This is just a picture of the new Rusty Riggin' Saddle Repair shop, we just got done painting it. This is going to be the show room for saddles, and tack, and the western clothes and accessories. I'll post some more of the work area when I get everything in and the way I want it. Thanks for looking. Rus

If you are making so many cases you are wearing out your pattern, you may want to invest in a clicker die. No thicker than the case leather you would be using is, you wouldn't need a several thousand dollar cliicker to use it, just a good rawhide mallet. There is a good die maker in Monett, MO I think the name is CUT RITE, a year or 2 ago he was charging .80 an inch to make them. Just an idea. Hope it helps. Rus

Thanks everyone!! I feel so much better now, I can't stand the stuff I turn out, but folks brag about it, and say they love it. I see junk cause I see every flaw ( cause I put it there ). It's nice to know I'm not the only one that does this, thats why I don't post any pics, I'm ashamed of the stuff. It is nice though when people ask if something I made is machined or done by hand cause they can't tell. I posted a pic of a holster in critique my work, and only got 1 small sugestion, so I guess thats good. Rus