Vaquero

You can slow down a high speed grinder for burnishing by using a router speed reducer. You can get one at Rockler.com, search for router speed reducer. They cost $50.00. It works like a dimmer switch on a light.

Thaks Pard's, it has been a pleasure! Phil

Since I have never officially introduced myself, It is about time. I've been a member since '08 and and visited long before that. I'm a saddle maker from the Californios on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains. I've worked for some of the pack outfits guiding in the Sierra mountains and cowboyed in western Nevada. I like to trailer out my cyuses to the valleys and canyons east of here and search out the herds of mustangs still roaming these parts. I grew up on an old homestead ranch in Texas where I acquired an interest in leatherwork and fiddlin' around with old saddles. I got interested in making saddles after inheriting a box of old leatherworking hand tools. I carried those tools around for many years, then I visited Sheridan, Wyoming. I walked through Kings Saddlery and their saddle museum and down the street into Don Butlers shop and had an Awakening. Like a religious experience, like those folks who found Jesus. I knew what I had to do. I have to learn how to make saddles like these masters. I searched out every how to book and video I could find and studied every quality saddle I came across and taught myself. I had a hunger to learn more. When Jerimiah Watt came out with his video I snatched it up which really improved my work. Then several years later, Dale Harwood came out with his, the Grand Master. Then I found Johanna's site. There are more people out there like me. I very much appreciate the knowlege, wisdom, and how to I have learned from Johanna, Bruce, Darcy, Bob Parks, Steve Brewer, Art, Luke, and a hundred or more folks on this site. It's about time I introduced myself to all you amigos. Phil Green Wild Horse Saddlery Eastern Sierra Nevada

This machine has been sold. Thanks for your response. Phil

Artisan Toro 3000 For Sale. Like new condition with all the attachments including the extra table top. $1200 plus the shipping cost. Johanna has one and loves it.

Try googling Professional Hardware. They carry stainless ring shank nails in the small sizes.

Lesson learned! Normally I do only use Herman Oaks leather. This was one of those situations of do I pass on the order or try to work in the customers budget. But you are right, stepping over a dime to pick up a penny. The casing idea didn't work, so I've resigned to hand sew this one. I'll still probably save time not fiddling around with this dang machine. Another good reason to "Buy American". Thanks for your comments.

I bought some Tandy Sale skirting leather for a budget saddle for a customer and can't sew it with my Toro 3000. The leather flags and pulls up and chatters even with the presser foot tensioned as far down as it will adjust. The needle won't go thru the leather or immediately shreads and breaks the thread. I called Artisan and talked to Jerry, he said it was because it was dry leather. Possibly because Tandy has their hides tanned in a Mexican tannery. Has anyone ever encountered this problem? I did pull out some Herman Oaks skirting from the scrap bin and stacked it up to the same thickness as the flat plate rigging I'm trying to sew, and had no problem sewing thru it. So it must be the leather. I thought about casing the leather and then trying to sew it. Does anyone have any better ideas or words of wisdom? Phil

Hey Short, The best idea you got was from Timbo. I've also stitched many single layer belts, spur straps, etc. just for decoration. If you're in a big hurry and don't have a splitter, you don't have much choice. Phil Green Wild Horse Saddlery

Bruce, I just had a old saddle in my shop for repairs and a cleaning which was in real bad shape. It looked like it had never ever been cleaned or oiled since it was new. This was one of the worst abused dried out saddles I have ever seen. I used Leather Therapy Wash and the Conditioner Restorer. It gave the leather a rich patina and brought it back to life nicely. I was very impressed. The customer didn't recognize the saddle when he came to pick it up. Phil Green Wild Horse Saddlery

Chris, Greg is right, take it to a dry cleaner which specializes in cleaning leather and furs. My wife bought me a new pale tan suede leather jacket, which the first night out wearing it, I got some neetsfoot oil on all around the belt line. I wore a leather belt which I oiled 4 or 5 days before and thought was dry enough. I tried the corn starch method on it which didn't help. I thought it was ruined. I took it to a dry cleaner in Reno, Nv. along with an empty bottle of neetsfoot oil to show them what the stain was. It cost me $80.00. They got the stain completely out. The jacket still looks brand new, You can't see any sign where there was a stain. They said it was very helpful knowing exactly what the oil was so they knew the right chemical to use. They also advised me not to use corn starch. Good Luck. Phil Green Wild Horse Saddlery