Rear cinch strap

[TomE]

I mostly work on English tack, but here are some thoughts.  I bought a side of HO 11-12 oz latigo that is beautiful leather.  I've used it to make a bridle, some straps, and saddle strings (lace).  I split it to ~5-6 oz and beveled the edges for saddle strings.  I think Bruce Cheaney has a video about this.  Lubricate generously with saddle soap before lacing.  Harness leather is another choice for saddle billets.  It is strong and weatherproof.  It is my go-to for English saddle billets.  Hermann Oak Leather sent me samples of all the colors they make (black and chocolate were my choice for English saddles).  They will sell you items that aren't stocked by their retailers without the usual 5 side minimum order.

[DieselTech]

35 minutes ago, TomE said:

I mostly work on English tack, but here are some thoughts.  I bought a side of HO 11-12 oz latigo that is beautiful leather.  I've used it to make a bridle, some straps, and saddle strings (lace).  I split it to ~5-6 oz and beveled the edges for saddle strings.  I think Bruce Cheaney has a video about this.  Lubricate generously with saddle soap before lacing.  Harness leather is another choice for saddle billets.  It is strong and weatherproof.  It is my go-to for English saddle billets.  Hermann Oak Leather sent me samples of all the colors they make (black and chocolate were my choice for English saddles).  They will sell you items that aren't stocked by their retailers without the usual 5 side minimum order.

Thanks TomE. I appreciate your feedback. I'll check out Bruce's video. 

Yeah Don Gonzales had a good video on preparing Latigo saddle lace for tying billets on with. 

Guess I better get some more leather ordered. 

Thanks. I appreciate you helping a newbie. 

[rktaylor]

On 9/8/2024 at 9:13 PM, DieselTech said:

What would be a good buddy price on something like this?

My good buddies would drop off a 30 pack and call it good.

I have trouble pricing items, so I'm not the best source. You can price a set of billets online or at the local farm store and realize there is no way you can make them for that. You'll either give away your labor or materials or maybe some of both. However you'll make a higher quality product. Thus, I try to price items 40-50% above production items and realize, it's not going to be my bread and butter. 

Randy

[DieselTech]

2 hours ago, rktaylor said:

My good buddies would drop off a 30 pack and call it good.

I have trouble pricing items, so I'm not the best source. You can price a set of billets online or at the local farm store and realize there is no way you can make them for that. You'll either give away your labor or materials or maybe some of both. However you'll make a higher quality product. Thus, I try to price items 40-50% above production items and realize, it's not going to be my bread and butter. 

Randy

Thanks. Yeah I was looking at some rear flank billets from some higher end saddle makers. I was looking at their billets & @ them prices it is going to be hard to compete with their prices. 

Should I sew these billets together with 346 bonded polyester thread? 

Thanks.

[rktaylor]

I use 346 on top and 277 on bottom. 

RT

[DieselTech]

20 minutes ago, rktaylor said:

I use 346 on top and 277 on bottom. 

RT

Thanks. I appreciate it. I pretty sure I have seen some of your saddles & they are just beautiful. 

[DieselTech]

On my rear flank billets. Lmao I think that is there real name for them. 

What size are the 3 holes in the billet to tie the billet on? This particular saddle  uses 3/8 latigo saddle string to tie the billets on with. 

Should the 3 billet holes be a 1/4" or bigger? Perhaps smaller? 

Thanks. Any & all help appreciated. 

[DieselTech]

Nothing like good tooling! Tools that is. 

Bought this skiver a year ago & finally got around to using it. 

I cut my latigo saddle strings with it. Basically you skive the right & left side to create a half diamond shaped saddle string. 

Supposedly doing this helps the lace to lay flat when you tie the billets on. 

This is all a learning experience for me. 

Edited September 17, 2024 by DieselTech

[rktaylor]

On 9/10/2024 at 1:46 PM, DieselTech said:

I pretty sure I have seen some of your saddles & they are just beautiful. 

Thanks. I appreciate the compliment. 

The hole size depends on lace thickness and width. 1/4" seems small to me. Depending on your lacing pattern, two holes could have three pieces of lace going through. 

Randy

[DieselTech]

2 hours ago, rktaylor said:

Thanks. I appreciate the compliment. 

The hole size depends on lace thickness and width. 1/4" seems small to me. Depending on your lacing pattern, two holes could have three pieces of lace going through. 

Randy

Ok thanks rk. If I was using 3/8" wide 8-9oz latigo billet tie/lace. What size would you make the billet holes? It does have the lace that passes thru the top 2 holes 3 times on the billet. 

I don't  have the saddle. Till it gets cold. Then the guys stop riding. 

Thanks. Appreciate your help. 

Edited September 18, 2024 by DieselTech