Chuck Report post Posted December 24, 2007 Hi. My name is Chuck Weidlein, from the state of Iowa. I am a Viet Nam Purple Heart winner and proud of this Great Country. I retired about a year ago and decided to get back into leather work. Being a collector by heart lots of new tools were in order to do some of the tooling I wanted learn. I built some saddles for friends and family members about 20 years ago that were stout and built to last a lifetime of use, but lacked finish and eye that I wanted. So, for the last year I have been collecting books, tools miniature hide trees to build some 8 inch saddles. I started out learning the art of Sheridan carving and tooling in half scale. My goal is to build replica saddles in miniature from the 1890's to the present. I have 5 miniature trees collected wade wood post, old time a fork highback, modern roper, to mention a few. I have been working on tooling and saddle patterns for these trees, with the goal of keeping the toolng and leathe work to scale as best possible. I have used up about 3 sides of leather cuting out miniature saddle patterns and tooling them, fun way to learn. I just love retirement. Thanks for your time, and with my goals I am sure I will need the help of a lot of you. Must add that it is coming along very well. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beaverslayer Report post Posted December 24, 2007 Welcome to the forum Chuck, glad you found us. Would be nice to see some pics of your work so far. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chuck Report post Posted December 24, 2007 Ken, I will try and send some pictures in a week or so of my latest half scale fender with sheridan carving. Looking forward to comments and helpful hints. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted December 24, 2007 Welcome to the forum Chuck, were glad you found us it sounds very interesting what you are doing and i cant wait to see some pics, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Regis Report post Posted December 24, 2007 Chuck, Glad to have you join and looking forward to seeing some of your carving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtwister09 Report post Posted December 24, 2007 Chuck, Welcome to the forum! An 8 inch saddle is by what measurement (overall, seat)? Are you making your own trees? If so how are you making your trees (duplicator, individual individually cut out and then shaped)? How are you handling the different fork/cantle combinations with refeence to your trees? Are you also doing the rawhiding etc? How far are tou carrying the actual miniaturization? Regards, Ben Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CharlieR Report post Posted December 24, 2007 Chuck--welcome aboard. This is a great friendly place to be. Send pics of your work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Genadek Report post Posted December 24, 2007 Welcome from MN Chuck! Do you know why the Mississippi flows south? Iowa sucks. Do you know what a perfect 10 is in Iowa? A 4 with a six pack. Do you know the differance between a bufallo and an Iowa cheerleader? About 200 pounds Do you know how to equalize them? Force feed the buffalo. Sorry I have a love for Iowa MN jokes. I'm just north of the border you would be welcome to visit anytime. I'm not sure what people mean by Sheridan carving now a days but I have a bit of experiance drawing designs and would be happy to show you what I know. I'm out of Iowa jokes now too. David Genadek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chuck Report post Posted December 25, 2007 Ive put up some pictures in the show off section and answered some of the questions asked here, so please take a look there to better understand this ole timer. Thanks Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
