BondoBobCustomSaddles

Well in 20 years or so, this is a first for me. Until now I just hadn't needed to make a guitar strap for anyone. Pictured is a strap made for my friend "Wink Townley ", that I just got back from visiting in Oklahoma City. He is still singing and playing in the Oklahoma area, and I just can't have him playing without a custom piece. Wink, this is on it's way Monday. Hope you like it. Thanks to Chief for the advice on sizing. Bob

Also "The Leather Guy" Bob

My sentiments exactly! By the way, Thank You For Your Service! Bob

Chief, I am going to make a strap for my friend in Oklahoma. Question, how long do you make your straps, with how much adjustment ? Bob

Well just got back. Had a great trip, it was everything that I thought and hoped it would be. Made it to the cowboy and American heritage museum and it was awesome. Getting to view first hand the work of the old masters up close, and also that of John Wilemsma. Pedro Pedrini, and Cary Schwartz up close was what I hoped it would be. Really got to study their work, and saw some things that I will be incorporating into how I do mine. Also got to the National Team Roping Association Finals, really enjoyed that also. Made a real extended trip around all the tack shops and pawn shops I could find for those little goodies to bring home for those that were caring for my critters, also for my great wife that insisted that I go and of course got to spend a lot of time with an old vietnam buddie that I had not seen in 46 years. Wow we were up till past 3AM most mornings just jawing about the old days, listening to Wink play the guitar and sing, and what has happened in our lives since then. Met some interesting characters along the way. All in all, it goes down as one of the great experiences. By the way, thanks to all for suggestions that helped me plan it out. Bruce, I especially enjoyed Gages. You were right. Best meal on the trip! Didn't make it to Woolaroc, coming in I was anxious to get there and going home I was anxious to make it home. Now that I am home, I am sure that I'll be making it back that way next year to see what I missed. Again, thanks to all for the suggestions. Bob

Now that's cheating! You aren't supposed to have your shop soooooo, neat and clean! If my wife see's this, she'll be after me to clean up my cave! Not sure if I even know where to put all my stuff! Bob

Nice job chief! Bob

For years now my basement has been my shop. Basically since I started doing leather, however; when I was building cars I used my barn, 30 X 52. Obviously heating the whole thing in Michigan winters was out of the question even though there is 4" foam insulation in the walls, and 15" blown in above. What I did was make three movable walls out of studs covered with visquene on both sides and with feet so they would stand up by themselves. Then I got a fuel oil heater out of an old house trailer (you can find them in scrap yards or on craigs list very cheap. They are usually about 65,000 BTU or so and will stand up against a wall which makes your vent for exhaust right where you need it. Hook it up, and you can work all winter in shirt sleeves, cheaper than with electricity, and you can turn it down to about 45 deg when not in there to keep your stuff from freezing. Just saying that's what I did when building cars and engines. I have always thought that I would make a permanent 30X 20 shop inside the barn and set it up with heat / air, it already has water, and 220V, but; the older I get , just going downstairs to "work" has shown to be a more pleasing way to spend the winter months, especially since I don't have to do anything , but; turn on the lights and the music. Bob

I have made a lot of chaps out of dear tanned cow hide. It makes a chap with a really nice feel and wears well too. Also I have used buffalo hide to make chaps and chinks, also good stuff. Just depends what weight you are looking for. Attached are a couple of chaps in deer tan cowhide I made for guys at the track, and a pair of chinks I made for a lady friend of mine out of buffalo hide. Bob

I made the mistake once of making a bag for a lady in my life. Now seems like every woman I know wants one!!! Too many things to make, not enough time, Got a feeling you are about to find that out! Nice job! Bob

Well this thread reads like only holster makers have learning experiences. Not so! We are human, that mean we have the ability to blow it once and a while. Been at it for over 20 years and still have reasons to become "creative" with projects. It's in our nature. Bob

Pictures will help a lot. Bob

Anthony, all the advice above is good advice so now all you have to do is "git er done!". Keep us posted on your progress. Bob

Chad, so you have started your new saddle, that's great. Using Rod and Denise for your new project is a really good choice. Be sure to keep us informed on your progress. I am looking forward to watching your saddle come to fruition. Bob

Welcome Ron! You will find there are many folks here that will be glad to help you in your quest to learn. Enjoy the journey!!! Bob

Randy, simply put, I install my "D" ring "STD" rigging before swell cover for the reasons that Ron expressed, I install my flat plate rigging after because I usually put them on and off many times during the build. Bob

Great Thread, with even greater answers from some of the best. I agree with most of the comments made here and "feel " them all. I make custom saddles, anywhere from base to well dressed saddles, usually 2 / 3 a year, as I am only by myself and like it that way. I do not have to make a living at it I am retired from the auto industry and this is my sanity check. With that said, I do not make it if I cannot make it right , however; I live in Michigan, and here I am hard pressed to get much more than $2800 for a base saddle since most of the horseman up here are weekend riders with limited discressionary income and will buy an off the shelf saddle at the drop of a hat, rather than one that is made to the standards that we make our saddles to. My saddles are first rate for fit and function with top quality materials, my tooling is good, but; not quite to the level of Keith, or Bobby, or Steve Masons (I am going to get there some day). Since I cannot move to an area where people know the difference in off the shelf and really hand made quality, I am relegated to work in the market that I am in. Else where I would not think twice about my base being $4000. But, it what it is. Thanks to all who have made this thread so interesting. Bob

John, where do you work? Bob

Thanks for the responses guys. Looks like I am planning 2 days for the Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Heritage museum, and a day at the National Team Roping finals. A couple of days moseying around visiting my friend. Finally on the way home I will be stopping at the Woolaroc Ranch. Plus any stops I make on the way down and back. I am looking forward to seeing how it really is where folks actually make a living out of their saddles. Around here it's mostly people that just play at it. Thanks again Bruce, Plowboy, and Troy for the input. The only thing that would make it better is if you guys were there at the same time as me, so we could meet face to face and jaw a bit. Bob

Thanks Troy! It's added to my list of things to do. I am surprised there aren't more suggestions from folks. Bob

Nice job Keith. Looks like the winter time was well spent. Bob

I don't have any pics of how I do it, but; I wrap it just like you would the line loops on a fishing rod. Start with the tail folded under the whole length of the intended wrap, along side that is a separate piece of stitching thread that loops down past the bottom and back. Then I wrap over the whole thing with about 4 or 5 wraps (or more if you desire), of the latigo lace (about 3/16" wide and wet" , when I get to the end I stick the end through the loop made by the stitching thread at the bottom, and pull it back under the wraps all the way to the top. Pull it tight and cut off the excess. The tighter you pull it the better result you will have when it dries. Hope this made sense. Bob

Well, finally I am going to get a chance to visit an old buddy I haven't see since our days in Viet Nam! I am excited about it. I will be going to Oklahoma City, arriving about Oct. 29th and staying till Nov. 3rd. I plan on spending a couple of days with Wink ( my old guitar playing buddy)of course, but, I am also going to the American Heritage Museum and, also going to the National Team Roping Finals. Any one have any other suggestions of places to see, people to meet while I am there? I am sure there are too many good ideas of what to do, but; some suggestions will help me make it a special trip. Thanks! Bob

Those are nice Buck! And of course, thank you for your support of our troops. Seems like today those folks in office have no qualms about putting troops in harms way, but; they only think about the support afterwards when its in the news, and how they can get some good press! Thanks Again, Bob

Bob, To get a good even welt, and especially for something like chaps / cloathing, I use drapery/window shade cord. Its flexable and also dense enough so it doesn't compress. Bob