TrooperChuck

It's been a few years since I've posted here, but I still stop by to read the posts and learn new things. This forum has been a good resource for me. Last year I took the plunge and opened my own saddle/leather shop. Boulder Creek Saddle Shop in Kettle Falls, WA. The shop has done well and I'm enjoying the challenges of being a small business owner. I do a lot of repairs for saddles and tack, but about 75% of our business is making holsters, knife sheaths, and belts. When we first opened I did all my stitching entirely by hand. Unfortunately, hand-stitching was so slow that I got further and further behind on my custom orders. In an attempt to speed up production, but still keep the "old fashioned" atmosphere in our shop, I decided to buy a non-electric stitching machine. I bought a brand new Tippmann Boss and was looking forward to cutting my stitching time down by at least 50%. Boy, was I disappointed! This Tippmann Boss does indeed stitch a lot faster than I can do by hand... when it works properly. The problem is that it rarely works properly. Missed stitches, thread tension that constantly needs fiddling, and inconsistent stitches are a frequent problem. I've been on the phone to the Tippmann factory techs a number of times, have watched every YouTube video on the subject, and have searched for tips online... but nothing seems to solve the problems. I've had this machine for over 5 months, and the dang thing is costing me MORE time rather than saving me time. I'm very close to just sending it back to the factory and asking for a refund. Does anyone have an comments, suggestions, or advice? I really don't want to use an electric sewing machine, so if anyone knows of a hand operated machine that works better than the Boss, I'd sure like to hear about it. Thanks.

Thanks, Luke. I found that posting and can now get started on making the saddle bags.

I have a customer who wants a set of saddle bags that look like the kind used by the US Cavalry. All of my saddle bag patterns are the western/cowboy style. Does anyone have a set of patterns they can share? Thanks, TrooperChuck Eastern Washington

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. Didn't mean to be anti-social, but I've been away for a couple weeks and just now got a chance to check the forum.

Since no one seems to know where I can order these brass hook-things, I guess I'll have to try to make them myself.

I have a customer who is a big game hunter in Alaska. He wants some leather rifle slings made. He likes the military style with the brass double hooks on the ends. (Are these called frogs?) Does anyone know where I can order these? Thanks, Chuck

Nobearsyet: I recently obtained a copy of Ron Edwards book, "Making a Stock Saddle", from the website Barra posted. It's a pretty interesting book. I think a person with some basic leatherworking skills could probably make a good saddle by following the instructions in that book. It would also help if you had an Aussie saddle in your shop to use as a visual reference while building yours. You can also order a book on making your own Aussie saddle trees from the same website. I ordered a copy, and the process doesn't look very complicated, but I would definately rather buy a saddle tree than have to make one.

The first volume of Al Stohlman's "How To Make Leather Cases" has three different patterns for Skoal containers.

Domain Pirates? Being the computer-challenged guy I am, I've never heard of such a thing! But, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. There will always be low-life losers willing to steal anything to make a buck. (Sigh) I hope everything works out for you, LadyJ.

Josh: Those cuffs look great! Now, you've inspired me to make a pair for my cowboy action shooting outfit. Thanks for sharing the pics. Chuck

I can play my radio, but that's it! The old cowboy who taught me to make saddles, was a real musician. When he got bored with leather work he'd serenade my wife and me with his guitar, or banjo, or ukelele, or fiddle, or harmonica, and probably some instruments I'm forgetting. When times were tough he used to make a few bucks playing at taverns and bars. Unfortunately, time has taken a toll on his hands and fingers so he doesn't play as much as he once did.

That's horrible! I really feel for your friend. My horses are very special to me and if I lost even one, much less three, so unexpectedly I would be deeply hurt.

I enjoy discussing current events, and I've been guilty of posting some political opinions in the off-topic section. To me, it was okay because I thought we were all adults and could "agree to disagree" without becoming antagonistic and insulting. But, then I saw what NoahL was subjected to after he asked about trying to reconcile leatherworking with veganism. I'm embarassed by the way NoahL was treated. I didn't participate in that discussion but it forced me to re-evaluate why I love visiting this forum. After a lot of thought, this is what I decided... 1. I love the fact I can come here with a question about leatherworking and chances are someone will have the answer I need, and quickly, too. 2. I love the fact that people who are FAR more talented than I post pictures of their projects here. Those pics have often given me great ideas and inspiration. 3. I love it when the rest of us not-so-talented folks are brave enough to post pics of our projects. I get to say to myself, "Wow, I'm not the only person who's had trouble doing that!" 4. I love the way lots of folks jump in to help when someone posts a problem they are having. Whether that problem is leather related, job related, or whatever, it's plainly obvious there are some wonderful people in this group. My vote is to leave things just the way they are. I don't mind the occasional rant that occurs in the Off Topic section, but I think some of us could tone it down a bit. (Myself included.) Plus, it seems to me Johanna already has a tough job moderating things as they are. Adding an "Anything Goes" section is just gonna add to that job, and I wouldn't wish that on anybody!

A wise man knows when he's got it good!

I used sheetrock knives and Xacto knives for a long time before I finally bought an Osborne round knife. Boy, was I excited to get that knife! The day it arrived I took it to my shop and tried it on a piece of saddle skirting, and.. I was horribly disappointed! I thought the knife would come from the factory already sharpened. I was wrong. I've got little pen knives that are sharper than that round knife was. But, being the cheap miser I am, I decided "I spent $50 on this danged thing, it's damn well gonna do some work!" So, I got out my Stohlman leather tools book, opened it up to the section on sharpening round knives, and went to work. I've had that knife for about a year now and I've learned how to keep it razor sharp. Now, I love it! But there was definately a learning curve that had to be overcome before I felt good about it. If you want a versatile tool that will do lots of different jobs get a round knife. Just recognize that sharpening and using one requires some patience and experience.

Every time I've moved I've gotten rid of TONS of stuff. But, when I move again a few years later, I've accumulated several more tons. Is there a Junk Fairy that brings this stuff home at night??? I totally understand the book-thing. My wife is addicted to books. We have books on shelves, books in boxes, books in closets, books in the basement, books in drawers, books in cupboards, books in the pantry, books everywhere! She even has books about OTHER BOOKS! And that's AFTER we sold a bunch of them when we moved from Alaska to Washington. Remember the song, "Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox When I Die"? My wife would change that to "Put Me Anywhere In Barnes and Noble's When I Die!" Good luck on your new adventure, Jordan. We'll send some prayers your way.

I've used a number of Bowden trees and haven't been disappointed yet. The ones I've seen are certainly better than a whole bunch of trees I've seen in saddles I've repaired. Now, I'll admit there are better trees. When you see a side-by-side comparison of a Bowden tree and a custom made tree, the difference in workmanship is obvious. The rawhide on the custom trees is smoother, and the rawhide lacing is super smooth. I want to build a saddle with a custom made tree someday, but until then, it won't bother me to keep using Bowdens.

My gosh... you hit the nail right on the head! How'd you know I was thinking those things? I just wish I could have been that creative in expressing it. Thanks for sharing.

Good luck with your interview! You just took the first step.... now, keep going! Chuck

For me, it's 1970's pop music or new country, sometimes some talk radio. A diet coke or iced tea. Take a break at noon to give the horses their lunch time hay and take the dogs for a walk. In winter time, stoke the wood stove. In summer time thank God that my shop is in our basement and it's always 65 degrees in there! And of course, I take several breaks to sit down at this silly computer to see what the folks at leatherworker.net are talking about.

Justwakinup: I know this sounds like a cliche', but I truly believe God won't give you more than you can bear. I know this from personal experience. Since you were brave enough to share your troubles with us, I'll share some of mine. Please bear in mind that this isn't an attempt to say, "Oh yeah? Well, here's what happened to me...!" This is about using my tough times to help someone else having tough times. So, here goes... My daughter Kira died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome when she was 5 months old. My son Grant died of viral pneumonia when he was about the same age. My son James was born almost three months premature. He lived for 10 days, but his body just wasn't strong enough to be out in the world. He was dying. My wife and I made the decision to take him off life support, and we took turns holding him and talking to him while he died. Those events taught me several important things... First, You NEVER know when you may lose someone you love. So, love them as much as you can now. Second, no problem between two people can ever be fixed if they can't talk to each other. Third, some days I'm hurting, and some days my wife is hurting. We had to learn to recognize those days and cut each other some slack for it, rather than get annoyed by it. Lastly, my grandmother gave me this advice after one of the funerals: "The two of you can get through anything if you just keep holding hands." My wife and I hold hands a lot. I'm sorry this is such a depressing posting. But, I hope it gives you strength and hope. Your world is upside down right now, but with work and some of the advice these wonderful people have offered, you may be able to make it right again. I'll pray for you and your family. Chuck

This has been a very interesting topic. My wife is petite and wants to get a CCW permit. I've been pondering what kind of handgun to get her and leaning towards a .357 revolver because of the wide range of ammo it can use. Bree's comments about women needing to stop a threat BEFORE it reaches them are right on target. My wife is tough for her size, but the fact is that a 6 foot tall 220 pound guy has a huge advantage over her 4'10" hieght and 100 pound weight. Thanks for bringing that fact to our attention. When it comes to the question of "Warning vs. No Warning", I think it depends on the circumstances. I totally agree if I present my firearm it is a last resort and done with the knowledge and determination that I may kill someone. As a retired law enforcement officer, who served on a SWAT team, I understand that some situations may call for verbal warnings/commands prior to firing, and some situations may call for immediate action without warning. I admit this comes from a law enforcement background, which can be different from the standard of review used in cases of private citizen personal protection. Because of their training and experience, officers tend to be held to a higher standard of review in the after-action court battles than a private citizen might be. One thing I do believe is that warning SHOTS are never a good idea. Firing a shot off into the air or the ground simply wastes one of your bullets and isn't going to stop someone who is deranged, highly intoxicated, or extrememly desperate. Plus, I am solely responsible for every round that leaves the muzzle of my gun. If I fire a round off into the air it has to come down somewhere, and it may be somewhere I didn't want it to come down. I grant you that the odds of it coming down onto some innocent person's head is slim, but it HAS happened. Having said all that, I can personally relate to what TexasJack said... I've been on the receiving end of the sound of a shotgun shell being racked into the chamber. I will NEVER forget that sound! Fortunately, the bad guy gave up when he realized there was another Trooper with me and his chances of surviving the gun fight weren't as good as he thought. I enjoy reading the various thoughts, comments, and opinions here even if they are different than mine. Thanks for posting them.

LOL... the old guy who taught me to make saddles used to say that the only thing my head seemed good for is a place to hold my hat! Fortunately, I found this forum and all the folks who post in it, and now my head is getting filled with all kinds of new ideas. I love this place.

I don't remember what my first project was, but this was real close to the first. It's a pocket knife case. I made it about 5 years ago. I made it with some scrap leather I found somewhere, molded it around a piece of wood, and stitched it with cotton package wrapping twine. I've learned soooooo much about leatherwork since then, but I've worn this knife case almost every day for 5 years, and it's still doing the job. Last year I decided I needed to make a new case so I could retire this one. I took great care to make it really nice. I stamped it with a basket weave pattern and added a horse to the flap. I burnished and dyed the edges. I put three coats of Satin Sheen on it. It turned out really nice and... I almost never wear it. For some reason, I always grab this one. It's kind of like a a good friend... you know it has a few faults, but you make allowances because it's always been good to you.

I hated trying to make small diameter inside cuts with my round knife. Then, somewhere I saw a hint about using a leather punch to cut out those curves. I got a set of large diameter circle punches, they go up to 3/4 inch, and I since I started using them to cut out tight curves I've found the sun shines brighter, music sounds sweeter, and my wife hears fewer naughty words coming from my shop.