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I am replacing the one piece swell cover on an old saddle my farrier wants to keep. I broke the saddle down and found I really do need a drawdown stand. The basic design was taken from the pictures and drawings in Dusty Johnson’s book “Saddlemaking Construction & Repair Techniques”. My husband worked out the measurements needed and the plan is the design pictures that follow. We used 2 kiln dried 2” X 12” X 8’ boards. They were ripped to 8”wide and 6” (actually ripped in half for a measurement of 5 5/8”). The opening for the 2x4 was cut with a jigsaw against a straight edge since we didn’t want to lose strength in the front piece. The steel angle with holes came in 12” lengths. It was available in our local hardware box store. We used a dowel for the “pin” to hold the 2x4 in place. The 2x4 crossbar only has one screw so it can swivel, I find that helpful. I shortened the bar that tightens the strap pressure to 32”. This seems to be the right length for me. I’m covering the stand with carpet and if I find the saddle slips around I’ll use the rubberized carpet grip on top of the carpet. I made a heavy leather hold down with D rings. It attaches to the crossbar eyebolts with straps with roller buckles. I used a snap hook on one side for easy off and on. Hope this is helpful for folks out there who are looking for a drawdown stand. The plans are a pdf file attached to this post. Pat Drawdown Stand[11083].pdf

Hi there! I'm new and in the process of getting my saddle fitting certification. I'm mostly interested in tools and saddle flocking techniques, but minor repairs too. I'm currently having trouble finding curved flocking irons and a masher or smasher if anyone has any links I would appreciate it. I ordered one from Dixon, but apparently they stopped producing the metal mashers. I've tried the Cumbria School for curved irons but I have not heard back.

Hi everyone, starting build for the first time. I'm going over the tree and there are some fairly craterey holes from the nails in the rawhide around the base of the forks and a few other places. I was going to start laying some leather strips in to smooth out the areas but I was wondering if I could put a filler in the deepest holes first. I feels a little sacrilegious to use bondo but I saw someone using it on here before. Also found plenty of proud nails in the seat I need to hammer down too. Thanks!

Hi again, I am wanting to look into building my own pack saddle on a sawbuck tree. I’m wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of some literature or videos? I have plenty here to build off, but would like to build some more knowledge around it. tthanks in advance!

Hi guys, ive been doing leather work for a number of years now and am wanting to take on my first saddle. I live in a country where there aren’t many teachers - or resources. So I was wondering if anyone could recommend where I could buy some patterns/templates? also any recommendations on tutorials etc would be greatly appreciated. I have been binge watching whatever I can find on YouTube for the last few months. again, any tips and advice appreciate!! thanks in advance.

I was going through some pictures and found my file of a English style saddle I made a year or two ago. I have about 100 or 200 pictures of the stages of making this saddle. This is just a few stages.

I have found a barber chair and plan to make a draw-down out of it looking for pointers..

I just came into some older tools from a saddle maker. There were a few home made ones mostly bevelers, quite a few old craft tools and the ones in the photo. Just curious if someone knows who may have made them.

Hi everybody! (Complete with Grover arms) I am sooooo pumped! I just finished paying for, and am picking up tomorrow, a Cobra 4 -16” and a Thompson Walking Foot machine! I also am the proud owner of a paper weight with a treadle, that says it’s a Singer 29-something. I get to try and fix that up on my own. Fun! My husband has kindly cleared the garage out for a leather/craft shop and plans are underway to change a church table into a leather table! Can clear shoe boxes with foam for my stamps be far away? I’m going to ask a gentleman in the area to make sure the two new machines are in spec. I have been told he’s really good with industrial machines, soooo, yeah, pumped! I’ve been talking to several people about learning from real professionals about shoe/boot making/repair and saddlemaking/repair. So, do any of you have names of people in the Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas or South Dakota areas that give lessons about shoes/boots/saddles/harness? oh, and now I get the museum of sewing machines tendency! The right tool for the right job! Sorry about before!

Saddleman Press announces the Seventh Printing of Dusty Johnson’s saddlemaking instruction course entitled “Saddlemaking Construction and Repair Techniques“. This instruction package is the complete material used by the students in the Pleasant Valley Saddle School in Colorado for over 25 years. Now Dusty is sharing his methods for creating a working Western Saddle as used on ranches and for pleasure riders. This is the largest selling saddlemaking publication ever printed. The Full Course consists of a well illustrated 136 page book, a 2+ hour DVD showing details from the book and a complete set of full size cutting and skiving patterns for making any type of western saddle. For those interested in repair this detailed construction knowledge makes the job much easier. The complete set costs only $65 with FREE shipping (International shipping extra) For additional information about Western saddles including information about saddle trees, saddle fit, care, and why styles are important the popular book Saddle Savvy is available for $22.95 individually or it may be added to the saddle course for a total of $75 with FREE shipping (International shipping extra). To purchase contact your favorite leathercraft dealer or contact Saddleman Press direct at 2870 W Granite Park Drive, Prescott, Arizona 86305. Telephone: (928) 515-3029 Website: www.pvsaddleshop.com Wholesale inquiries invited.

Saddleman Press announces the Seventh Printing of Dusty Johnson’s saddlemaking instruction course entitled “Saddlemaking Construction and Repair Techniques“. This instruction package is the complete material used by the students in the Pleasant Valley Saddle School in Colorado for over 25 years. Now Dusty is sharing his methods for creating a working Western Saddle as used on ranches and for pleasure riders. This is the largest selling saddlemaking publication ever printed. The Full Course consists of a well illustrated 136 page book, a 2+ hour DVD showing details from the book and a complete set of full size cutting and skiving patterns for making any type of western saddle. For those interested in repair this detailed construction knowledge makes the job much easier. The complete set costs only $65 with FREE shipping (International shipping extra) For additional information about Western saddles including information about saddle trees, saddle fit, care, and why styles are important the popular book Saddle Savvy is available for $22.95 individually or it may be added to the saddle course for a total of $75 with FREE shipping (International shipping extra). To purchase contact your favorite leathercraft dealer or contact Saddleman Press direct at 2870 W Granite Park Drive, Prescott, Arizona 86305. Telephone: (928) 515-3029 Website: www.pvsaddleshop.com Wholesale inquiries invited. Saddlemaking 1 of 4.bmp Saddlemaking 2 f 4.bmp

Hi, was wondering if anyone has a set of Dale Harwood saddle making DVD’s. I really can’t afford the $450 US for a new set and was hoping someone may want to part with theirs. I’m just starting out and am trying to the best I can find to study.

Hi, was wondering if anyone has a set of Dale Harwood saddle making DVD’s. I really can’t affor the $450 US for a new set and was hoping someone may want to part with theirs. I’m just starting out and am trying to the best I can find to study.

I have these DVDs for sale. All in great condition, each only watched once or twice. Check description and full prices on Jeremiah's and Cary's website. Jeremiah Watt's The art of Saddle making DVD: $290 Jeremiah Watt's Bucking Rolls and biscuits DVD: $10 Cary Schwarz The Ground seat DVD: $35 Cary Schwarz Flat Plate Fork DVD: $60 Cary Schwarz Seat Cantle Binding DVD: $60 Cary Schwarz Carving DVD: $30 Cary Schwarz Floral Design I DVD: $30 Cary Schwarz Floral Design II DVD: $30 Cary Schwarz Shop Technique I DVD: $30 Cary Schwarz Shop Technique II DVD: $30 The whole package: $500 Contact me for more details and shipping info. My email is pdsaddlery@gmail.com

does any one have personal experience with synthetic fleece . who sells the best and what type of glue is suggested?. thanks

I have dis mantled my first saddle. it is a 1974 circle y roping saddle. i am ready to restitch and refleece. 1st , who sells the best synthetic fleece and what is best glue to use. also is it necessary to re use the ring type nails or can i just use galvanised nails of the same length and size(on the rebuild) ? thanks so much

Morning y'all, don't post often, but I guess I should... I have a client that needs a horn shortened on his saddle. Has anyone done this before? How would I even start with this (it is a finished saddle...). I think that I need to strip the horn down, cut it, reinforce it with a bolt through the horn and gullet, then recover with leather ( of course!!) This seems to me to be the strongest way to get this done. The gentleman is a team roper, so the horn will be put through some good hard use... Does this sound right? Any tips?? Respectfully Frank B.

I have dis mantled my first saddle. it is a 1974 circle y roping saddle. i am ready to restitch and refleece. 1st , who sells the best synthetic fleece and what is best glue to use. also is it necessary to re use the ring type nails or can i just use galvanised nails of the same length and size(on the rebuild) ? thanks so much

does any one have personal experience with synthetic fleece . who sells the best and what type of glue is suggested?. thanks

does any one have personal experience with synthetic fleece . who sells the best and what type of glue is suggested?. thanks

I have a prize draw on my Facebook https://www.facebook.com/uksaddlery https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010749131931 WIN A PLACE ON OUR SADDLE MAKING COURSE Value of this prize is £1200 The course will be held over 12 days starting on 11th July 2016 and ending on 23/July/2016 www.uksaddlery.com ... All you have to do to enter this prize draw is like this post on my page on Facebook and comment (I can attend) You do not have to share this post to enter but it would be nice to share to give your friends a chance to win. This is open to anyone from anywhere in the world as long as they are over 18 and have some experience using leather tools and working with leather. THE PRIZE will be 12 days training this includes the materials used. It does not include your travel or your accommodation. The course will be held in Dunoon Scotland Terms & Conditions 1. This prize draw is open to entrants 18 years of age or over. When contacted the prize winner may be asked to provide proof of age. 2. Entrants must have experience working with leather and leather tools. 3. The closing date for entries is 01/May/2016, 12.00pm GMT 4. The prize is a place on our 12 day saddle making course to be held on 11/July/2016 till 23/July/2016. 5. To be eligible to win you must like and comment on our saddle making prize draw post on Facebook 6. No purchase is necessary to enter this prize draw. 7. The winner will be drawn at random on 02/May/2016 and will be notified by Facebook message. A direct response to confirm their details is required by 13.00pm 08/May/2016 with their full name, email address and a contact telephone number is required. If the Facebook account/winners email is unreachable or they fail to respond to UKSaddlery winner notification within the above time, UKSaddlery reserves the right to randomly draw another winner. 8. The decision of the judge is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 9. The winners agree to their name being published as the identified winner in UKSaddlery Facebook status. 10. Entry instructions and prize descriptions form part of these terms and conditions. 11. The Prizes are as stated, non-negotiable, non-transferable and there is no cash alternative or different option. The promoter reserves the right (a) to substitute alternative prizes of equivalent or greater value and ( in exceptional circumstances to amend or foreclose the promotion without notice. Your statutory rights remain unaffected. 12. UKSaddlery accepts no liability for the prize or for any loss or damage arising from its issue. 13. This promotion is in no way sponsored by Facebook,endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Facebook. 14. Facebook can't be held liable for anything related to this promotion

I have added course dates to my web site www.uksaddlery.com Learn how to do saddle repairs, make a bridle, flock/stuff a saddle or make a complete English style saddle.

I did a youtube video showing how I sharpen my round knife. Hope this is of some use to someone.

I will be doing a saddle flocking course / girth strap course on 10/10/15. The cost for this 4 day course will be £220 normal price £400 Details can be found on our website http://www.uksaddlery.com/saddleflocking.html We have a total of 6 spaces available A £50 deposit will be required to secure a place on the course For more details email sales@uksaddlery.com or call 07929 947996

Another part of the progress in making a English style saddle. This would be useful if you where putting a new seat on a saddle or making a new one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnYI0ZIIstY