IanCantwell

Hi CW, Try this one, hope you can see the 1" squares, if not get back to me and I'll trace it out on some white card. Ian

I just fill a sink with luke warm water and drop it in there, swill it around untill the bubbles stop (usually under a minute) and it's ready for moulding. If it's just stamping it gets a quick wipe over with a wet sponge making sure it's evenly wet. Don't know if this is correct but works for me.

For any budding UK/European saddle makers I've one new pair of flat bronze rigging 'O' rings #500B40 that came via Superior Saddle tree in the USA and cost me over $20 plus airmail back in 2003. I'll accept any reasonable offer (start me at £2) + postage (UK £3.00)

Sounds like good advice Ray, i'll put it to use. I've just ordered a side of heavy leather for my next saddle and was wondering what to do with all the off-cuts. Trouble is it will be mostly neck/belly and 13oz. although I do have some lighter stuff. Looking through all the old post for ideas, like those zippo holster key fob things recently posted. If anyone has any ideas/patterns I'd be most grateful to hear from you but please suggest the weight of leather you normally use. I'm going to have a few weeks yet before my tree arrives so want to get stuck in and make box loads of bits for a craft fair. Thanks in advance. Ian.

Try a Google search using the term Pultrusion This is the manufacturing process used to make such things as fishing poles, kite poles etc. in glass fibre or carbon fibre. I've been searching for a UK supplier so that I can make training whips. Ian.

A beautiful piece of work Matt, I've just started my first rig and your's has, as they say 'knocked mine into a cocked hat'. I'll definately have to study all the previous posts for ideas before I start another rig. Well done again.

I'm fairly new to leathercraft and fancy having a go at a holster/gun belt. Maybe someone can explain the abreviations IWB, OWB and any other lingo used in this field. Won't be able to mould around anything unless I can get hold of one of those 'red guns' as gun laws here are so strict you can now get arrested for carrying a toy weapon in a public place. Thanks.

Forgot to add. I found this a great machine to punch stitching holes which is what I did with the aforementioned saddle skirts. Punched the holes then stitched by hand with the 2 needle method.

Great find Ray, I've been doing some research on the history of the United Shoe Machine company in the USA and later the BUSM in the UK. It was a British United on which I sewed my first saddle skirt in Canada, don't know how that machine got to be back there but BUSM had an agent called John O'Flaherty Co in Montreal. If you check out 'derelict places' web site you'll see photos of the old abandoned factory in Leicester. You're real lucky finding that relic, I found it to be a great machine, you'll probably want to build a flat bed for it (piece of thick ply) if you are going to do any large projects like skirts. When you get fed up with it I'm sure I can find it a home!!

Very frustrating isn't it! I had similar problems of the connection dropping out usually at busy times of the day but fortunately I'm near an exchange and the wiring is fairly modern although 26k-32k was about average. I very occasionally get the same problem now that I'm on high speed but usually manage about 7000k. It could be a wiring problem on the line coming into the property or the street if it's also affecting your neighbour, our overhead lines don't like the high wind. You should have got a program disc when you signed up to the service, try running that, it might have a repair installation option which will check all the settings in your computer and it might recommend you refresh your IP address (at a click of the button) which sometimes helps. Beyond that I'm as lost as you.

G'day Phil, Glad to have you on the forum, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Nice to have more of you from down under on the same time zone all-be-it a different day!! Hearing from down under brings back memories of the year I spent backpacking around the coast of Oz and riding horses through that glorious scenery. Welcome again, don't forget to post some of your work. Cheers, Ian.

Ray, I've an engineering business and workshop. What are you looking for, I might be able to help. Ian

Very nice design. I like this style and made a pair recently but never thought to try two-tone, makes all the difference. Keep up the good work. Ian.

Hans, I too am going for a look similar to the drover. My first saddle was a late 1800's but now I'm after a much earlier look, a very early Texas Hope with a lot of Mexican/Spanish influence. Sq skirt, single rigging (not Sam Stag as that came later) wood post, half seat & oak block stippups. I've found this site which has been good for pictures, there's quite a few linking pages so lots to search through. http://www.19th-century-us-history.com/sad...ian.htm#item-c1 I've been taught to take patterns from the tree, it's a time consuming task using lots of paper and card but once you have one set they can be copied and modified for other styles. You could also try this link for more photos. http://www.willghormley-maker.com/saddles.html Let me know how you get on with your search for patterns, I might have something I could copy and airmail to you. As soon as I get started I'll be putting up a post on the site showing my progress. Happy pounding. Ian.

Hi, If you have no luck in the USA try Abbey Saddlery as they may export or be able to point in the direction of someone over there who already buys from them. They have Aulton & Butler 1/2 trees for around £25. email sales@abbeysaddlery.co.uk fax +44 1565 633825 Ian.

Hi Corvus, Great to see another brit on the forum, where are you? You'll find this a great site, all the members are really helpfull, there's tons of experience to draw on and it's a nice friendly atmosphere. Looking forward to seeing some of your work. Cheers, Ian.

Cheers Guys, That'll do fine, I guessed there'd be lots of variations but you've given me good advice. Got my tree ordered for the Hope, about 3 months delivery so doing my research and gathering all the bits I'll need. Interested to learn from the thread on dyeing leather black using iron, think I'll give that a trial. Thanks again, Ian.

Thanks all, I've got the contact details, I'll write and ask for a catalogue. Ian.

Does anyone know if Bork Hardware has a web site? Done Google but can't find anything.

Have you tried here? http://www.5starequineproducts.com/mohair_cinch.html Ian.

I know the guy in England who's family invented the wax thread used by Barbour. The company used to employ just about everyone in town but has all but closed down due to products like 'Gortex'. I'll see if I can get hold of any more info for you.

Hi Folks, Anyone out there that can give me advice on manf. stirrup leathers to lace? In the past I've used blevins, cut my leathers to 68", extended the fender by about 9" then doubled up on it and rivetted everything together. I wondered what length to cut the leather if I'm using the lace up method, whether I add anything to the bottom of the fender to go around the stirrup, what sort of spacing the lace holes should be and how close to the edge. Also i need to know if there is a normal lacing pattern. Any good pics would also be useful, thanks. Ian.

Hi Dave, Welcome. I'm from Stockport, Cheshire. Good to see all the Brits on the forum. Have you tried the BLC? http://www.blcleathertech.com/ They supplied me with a member/product directory that listed members by the type and use of leather, very useful. Also try J.Wood at High Malsis near Keighley, they have over 1/2 million sq feet of leather in stock. Call Gerald on 01535 630006. Will we see you at the Identity Store opening in Northampton? Just forgot to say that I use Abbey Saddlery, they are very helpful, you can open a cash account as a hobby leatherworker (don't need to be a business), sometimes have some thick hides but mainly aimed at English saddle trade, lots of hardware. Cheers, Ian.

Cheers Bruce, much appreciated, will check a few museum sites and see what turns up. I wanted to go with an earlier date for my next saddle so may find something whilst I'm doing my research. Thanks again, Ian.

Help wanted PLEASE. Has anyone out there got a outline template/pattern of a bar that will email as an attachment or fax. I'm going to have a shot at manufacturing a tree and don't fancy stripping the skirts off my current saddle (yet again) and it would help just to give me a starting point, I'll refine the shape as I need. Many thanks, Ian.