BondoBobCustomSaddles

Rob, I make a fair amount of chaps, for Bikers, Excercize riders at the track, Cowboys of all sorts, Trail Riders, and Show chaps and chinks. With the exception of Show Chaps which I like to make out of glove leather hides I get from buckskin leather in Canada, for chaps and chinks that are meant to be used, I have become partial to deertan cow hide I get from Tandy, Kangaroo hide I get from Weaver, and lately Buffalo hide I get from the Leather Guy. I always try to match the type and weight of leather I use to the intended use and preference of the person I am making them for. In a lot of cases, I put in "wear patches" in the areas where they normally wear. Hope that helps. Bob

Bob, As always, I love to look at your work. It only serves to make me work to get to the next level with my tooling. Thanks loads for sharing, wish you were located up here in this area so we could collaborate on a saddle together! Bob

Tim, You have out done yourself. Very nice. After viewing it, it gives me an idea. My Daughter is into scrapbooking, and has done some commision work for some folks in the Ann Arbor area. Perhaps I will join in and collaborate with her on a commission piece, I do the book & binding and she does the "guts". Hmmm, see what you've started? Any way, very nice, keep up the good work. Bob

Yep! 'Ever now an then, the man upstairs sends us a sign to let us know he is still up there watchin'. Glad to hear that he touched you guys the other day. Relax, get better, and stop to smell the roses. Bob

Inside

Periodicaly I go on a use up the wool scraps campaign, and have done most all of the above ideas mentioned by others. Sometimes with success, sometimes not. Recently, I made a pair of mittens to wear out in the cold. The that Nanook of the North comment from Tex fits perfectly. My wife laughs and teases me when I go out to blow the snow cause' when I am out there cleaning the drive I guess she thinks I look funny with my mittens, chaps , snow boots, head cover and and all, but; all you have to do is forget to change the direction of the chute just once when you turn to go in the other direction, and you will find out real quick, you can't wear enough warmy stuff, or you will look and feel like frosty the snow man! The mittens aren't good for doing much cause they are really thick and stiff, however; for doing chores and operating equipment outside in the cold they are the cats' meow. I made a pair for my son who is a heavy equipment operator, and out in the cold he loves them. So that's just another way to use up the extra. Bob

Justin, Nice job on the saddle. For only your 4th one it is really nice. keep up the good work. Bob

Joel, I have always used the way Stohlman teaches. I have never had a problem, or a reason to try do otherwise. Too much work to do it any other way and then have to redo it, because I was curious which was right. I have always been a proponant of finding someone who has the results that you desire, finding out how they do it and then do likewise. Never been dissapointed in that method. Bob

As always, Bob, your work is great to look at. Thanks for posting. Bob

Bob, My daughter was looking though leatherworker to get some ideas for what she wanted for a tooling design to be used on a saddle that I have started for my Grand Daughter. Once she saw this organizer, she stopped and said that is what I want for Rachel's saddle. So, I hope that it is ok with you if I use this flower design as the base design for the tooling I will be putting to leather on her saddle. I just hope that I can do it justice! Here's wishing you and all on this sight, a Happy New Year, Bob

My guess is that the spare time is gone already. Josh, you've been busy! Nice work. Merry Christmas to all! Bob

Bob, once again you have put up a targert in excellence for us to shoot at. Every time I see you work, I find things you do that I son't, and that just serves to keep me trying to do better. To coin a phrase from "Rooster", being around your work, well, it pleases me!" Thanks for posting. Bob

While I use a Boss stitcher and/ or an adler on some of the different areas of a saddle for convenience such as the sheepskin to skirts, I still use the hand stitch method with awl, overstitch wheel, and needles in certain areas like cantle binding, horn cap and such. It is a matter of getting the best result in the area you are looking to stitch. You can't beat a good hand stitch for strength and durability, you just have to be particular about your results, you want them to be professional. Bob

For my money, if your are going to ask an expert how he does it, and you are fortunate to get a serious answer, listen carefully. I have seen Bob Parks work and believe me it is top of the line. Long ago I followed his description of how he did it and I have never been sorry.

Knut, words cannot express how peaceful and serene that setting looks. Bet there is a warm and inviting fire going inside too. Merry Christmas to you also. Bob

Basically, I follow the Stohlman instructions, and have for years with no adverse results on the lug method. I especially like the way lugs pull the skirt up tight really force the tree into the pockets that blocking creates. As for the strings, it is a matter of style and use, for me. Around here either will work equally well, as most riders are pleasure riders. It's a customers option for me. Like all of the guys have said, there is no right or wrong, just a difference in "how she gets done". Bob

Ok, I am going to try this one more time. Pics are not my forte'. The lighting is not so good, however what it says is Bondo Bob Custom Saddles, and I try to work it into the design of the tooling where ever I can. Bob

Thanks Guys, That will do nicely. I am going to see her this afternoon and I can now give her a quote thaht makes sense. Bob

Ok, I don't usually get orders that take me out of cow hide, kangaroo, or deer skin, however; I am now facing an order for chaps made out of bffalo hide. Anybody out there hava a favorite supplier that delivers good quality/price? Bondo Bob

Dwight, the guys pretty much covered it. One thing I will add, get to know your modeling spoon. As you fade your lines out, use the spoon. Also don't be afraid to use it to double bevel your edges. In other words, use it to break the edge of the flower and stems inward, just like you would "break" the sharp edges on a piece of metal that you just cut, or machined. Take that sharp edge away, and your work will come to life. The spoon is your friend. You can do an awful lot with it, it takes practice. Don't be afraid to take a piece of scrap, and play around with it. There isn't a piece of scrap in my shop that doesn't have either designs, cuts, or doodling on it. I noticed that in most of the really good guys shops, and have taken to doing it myself. Good Luck Bob

Rayban, a few of more questions. Does it have a bobbin winder?, Does it have a reverse? Does it have a means of controling speed (like adjustable pulleys or whatever), and by the way what is the speed in stitches per inch? and finally, how thick will it stitch? You do have my interest. Bob

Ok, I am comfortable in both, I have worked as a draftsman, machinist, decorating engineer and seating engineer, hobbies in auto racing, sporterizing rifles, and saddle making in my life time. If I had my druthers, I'd druther stick to the sae measurement I grew up with in the 40's and 50's. Besides, that's just the way I think and am too damn old to change! Bob

Rayban, Couple of questions, 1) how deep is the throat, 12" or 16"? 2) Is it a "dog feed" only or both "dogfeed" and needle feed combined? Bondo Bob

Thanks Guys for the comments. If I ever figure out how to get these pics down to a managable size, I have some nice pics that show the saddle and it's features so you can a good look at it. Bob

For some reason I cannot make these pics smaller. Here is another shot of the saddle. Bob